Crowd vent frustration after wasteful Manchester United are held by Watford

Manchester United’s inability to finish any of their countless chances was near-comedic and costly. Against a Watford side with one league win since November, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes were the chief culprits, each missing when it appeared easier to score.

For Roy Hodgson’s team a point is welcome succour in their fight against relegation. For Ralf Rangnick’s side the draw is a deep frustration considering how dominant they were. Their unbeaten run stretches to 11 but this should have been a precious three points in the race for Champions League qualification.

Ronaldo was first to be listed in the file marked ‘profligacy’, pulling a trademark pout after he met Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s cross and saw the ball rebound off Ben Foster’s right post. Then, Fernandes had a shot blocked and Anthony Elanga, chosen ahead of Marcus Rashford, blasted a volley over.

Fernandes erred again at the end of a slick move. Elanga received the ball from Nemanja Matic and fed Ronaldo whose backheel was taken again by the young Swede. He chose correctly – a pass to Fernandes - yet from close range the latter’s shot was too close to Foster.

United were a red swarm over the Hornets. Alex Telles, preferred ahead of Luke Shaw, found Ronaldo to sweep home only for it be ruled out for offside. Watford could not get a grip on the contest and when Fernandes ghosted into the near post and connected with Paul Pogba’s delivery they should have fallen behind only for United’s captain to volley wide.

The visitors main ploy was to break quickly and Joshua King, operating on the left of a front trident, raced in and took aim, his effort being repelled. It was the fleetest of respites. Ronaldo was as mobile as he has been since his return to Old Trafford