Manchester United 2-1 Watford: Five things we learned from Marcus Rashford’s temperament to Chris Smalling’s leadership

1) You shall not pass

There was a moment in the second half when Nemanja Matic arrived back in his own box, loping into the action like one of those massive trees at the end of Lord of the Rings. He inserted his large trunk in between a Watford forward and the ball to give himself a chance to clear the danger, but instead chose to take a touch; cue a moment of panic as he was tackled and Will Hughes nearly scored.

What was revealing was exactly who told him what they thought of that cumbersome episode. David de Gea shrugged and carried on; one or two defenders threw their hands in the air; Chris Smalling, however, stormed towards the prostrate Matic and launched into a sweary tirade.

Leadership is not all about bollocking your team-mates, of course, but there was a sense in that moment that if United were going to win this difficult game, it would be in part because Smalling was not in the mood for nonsense. And oddly enough that might be, in some small way, the closest thing to leadership that a United defender has shown in recent years.

2) Watford might yet be best of the rest

Watching Fulham capitulate earlier against Manchester City, mustering exactly no shots on goal in a run-of-the-mill 2-0 loss at Craven Cottage, it was easy to despair for the hopes of the ‘other 14’ against the top six. Fulham went large chunks of the match barely touching the ball, their efforts totally, miserably futile. Yet at Old Trafford, another of the top six faced one of the rest and the gap felt barely noticeable – and a little faith was restored.

United were clinical in the clutch moments, but Watford held their own in the middle of the pitch where the heart of these two sides collided. Despite the presence of Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera and Nemanja Matic, Watford competed like equals. They still have a tight battle with Wolves, West Ham and Everton to finish seventh, but Javi Gracia has built a team worthy of being crowned best of the rest.

3) Rashford gives off the feeling

There is a feeling you get when the best strikers in the world run in on goal, a feeling of anticipation, like you’ve seen this somewhere before and know how it ends. It’s the feeling you get when Harry Kane is through one-on-one, or when Sergio Aguero wriggles free of his marker and lifts back one his catapult legs.

Marcus Rashford celebrates his opener (Getty Images)

It is not unfair to question whether the Marcus Rashford under Jose Mourinho would have finished his chance in the first half here, when Luke Shaw curled a pass into his path and Ben Foster came scurrying out of goal. That Rashford lacked a little in confidence, in experience, in match cadence, in polished technique. But this Rashford – shoulders back, bristling with muscle and energy – was never going to miss. He is starting to evoke a little anticipation of his own.

4) Strength in depth

Since that famous night in Paris, when first-team players were patched up to play and teenagers Mason Greenwood and Tahith Chong were thrown into the fray, a few of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s players have returned to fitness. With the help of an international break, he was able to field a strong bench here – Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira came on and were involved in the second goal, forgotten man Marcos Rojo got some minutes, while Romelu Lukaku, Fred, Diogo Dalot and Sergio Romero were kept in reserve.

United still have a fight for the top four on their hands as well as a Champions League quarter-final with Barcelona to come. Solskjaer will need every ounce from his squad, and on this evidence he has plenty to call upon.

5) Watford’s gate keeper

He may have let in two goals but it could have been so much worse for Watford had Ben Foster not been on his game. His save from Anthony Martial in the first half, from point-blank range, was exceptional, typifying his season, and if Foster was to finish this season in the PFA Team of the Year it would be just reward.