Watford welcomed sixth placed Manchester United to Vicarage Road stadium looking to reverse a torrid record against the Red Devils and still looking for their first clean sheet of the season.
Whilst the Hornets conceded once more, four goals from Joshua King, Ismaila Sarr, Emmanuel Dennis and Joao Pedro lifted the Hornets to a memorable victory at Vicarage Road.
Failing to meet expectations
Speaking after the game, Ole Gunnar Solskjær expressed frustration at his side’s inability to meet expectations,
“I understand the fans, who have supported the club through thick and thin, and have been great over the last few years. It’s a difficult period, we have had a hard time since Sir Alex left, and the fans who have been here - since I came in - have been unbelievable.
They understood the situation, the signings this summer raised expectations, rightly so, because we brought some top players in and having been second last year we hoped to kick on.
At the moment, we can’t seem to find our form, and it’s their right to show their opinion. But as Bruno is such a passionate man, he knows football can change quickly.”
Solskjær on his future
With rumours already circulating of his imminent dismissal, the Manchester United manager remained resolute about his own abilities,
"I always have belief in myself, but at the moment it's a difficult time for us. I can trust every single one of there to give what they have, but the results are difficult. I believe we can turn this round.”
It's a definite big, big challenge for everyone at the club. The results are not good enough, we know that. Of course something is wrong.
I feel for the fans. I feel the same as the fans. We are in a very bad run and bad situation. But that is part of football.
Asked 'how low' he is feeling, Ole replied simply: "Very."
Ranieri jubilant
Watford’s Claudio Ranieri was presented as the antithesis of the Manchester United manager and was buoyant in the post-match conference,
“It was an amazing match. I was I was confident before the match. The performance of the first half was amazing. We pressed high up. Second half, we conceded some good chances to draw the match but we continued in our philosophy to press, to play.
Ranieri pointed to half-time as a particularly important moment in the match,
“[I told them to] continue. Manchester United are desperate but we are also desperate. When we played Arsenal we conceded a goal and after we were desperate in attack."
Ranieri calls for consistency
Ranieri was keen to heap praise on his attackers today but warned his side that they need to build on this victory for it to be meaningful,
I’m very happy for the strikers, it’s important to them to score goals and now we have to stay calm and continue to train well. I want consistency from my team. Now we are to play big teams in Leicester, Chelsea and City and I want to see our consistency. The results are important but i want to see the same mentality.
With the three points lifting Watford above Leeds United into 16th, Ranieri and Watford fans will be hoping that the victory is a sign of things to come as they travel away to Leicester City and Chelsea in the next two weeks.
For Manchester United, only time will tell.
With only one win in the league since September, Solskjær’s time at the wheel is quickly running out.