Five things we learned from Manchester United v Watford

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Manchester United have dropped points in the chase for the Champions League spots, drawing 0-0 with Watford at Old Trafford.

Here is a look at five things we learned from the game…

Rangnick shakes it up

Ralf Rangnick made four changes from the starting line-up which took on Atletico Madrid on Wednesday night.

Out went Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford and in came Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Nemanja Matic, Anthony Elanga and Alex Telles.

Sancho has been playing so well that you could say he was ‘rested’ but the other three England’s internationals have been in different form and could plausibly have been ‘dropped’.

The changes meant that Paul Pogba moved to the left of midfield, with Rangnick sticking with the system he has been employing lately.

It has been a busy period and the fixtures keep coming and Rangnick took the chance to freshen things up, as well as perhaps sending a message to some underperfoming players.

United miss first half chances

United were sluggish starters in midweek but they came out of the blocks with more intent here, dominating the game.

Chances were created with regularly but Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo were among those who could not convert.

In recent games, United have gone in at half-time only 1-0 up after a first half which deserved far more. Here, it was still a stalemate at the interval despite an impressive opening 45 minutes.

United finally piece a performance together but to no avail

United have so far been unable to piece together a full 90 minute performance under Rangnick so far.

There have been good first halves which have made way for poor second halves and slow starts which have been clawed back.

But United did not let their performance levels slip here, and stayed on the front foot throughout the game, keeping on making chances.

That said, it proved to be fruitless on a frustrating afternoon where the result was all-important.

Rangnick’s subs fail to change the game

Rangnick has altered the course of recent matches with his substitutions but he was unable to change the game here.

He cannot be accused of lacking ambition, because by the end of the game, he had a 4-2-4 in play, with no protection for the back four as United chased the match.

But it did not have the desired effect as United proved unable to find a way to goal, when it really should have been three points.

United miss chance to put pressure on

Tottenham’s win over Leeds earlier on added pressure to this game, which was already important as it was.

But United missed the chance to respond to lay down the gauntlet to Arsenal as well, as they are not in action this weekend.

This is a hugely disappointing result, losing some momentum and confidence which has been generated in recent weeks and giving top four rivals an unnecessary boost.