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Bottom of the league Watford stun Manchester United after de Gea howler

Bottom of the league Watford beat Manchester United 2-0 in Nigel Pearson’s first game in charge at Vicarage Road, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s struggles continue against sides in the bottom half of the table.

Jesse Lingard wasted the best chance of a sloppy first half before Ismaila Sarr gave Watford the lead with the first shot on target five minutes after the restart through a horrendous David de Gea mistake.

READ MORE: De Gea mistake just one of those things, says Solskjaer

Troy Deeney put the Hornets 2-0 up from the penalty spot four minutes later securing their second win of the season and with it ending United’s six game unbeaten run.

They move up to 12 points but remain bottom of the table with their second win of the season, while the Red Devils remain eighth, with pressure surely mounting now on the Manchester United manager.

Manchester United's Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea fumbles a shot from Watford's Senegalese midfielder Ismaila Sarr into his own net during the English Premier League football match between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road Stadium in Watford, north of London on December 22, 2019. (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /  (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)
De Gea fumbles Sarr's effort to give Watford the lead (Photo by DANIEL LEAL-OLIVAS/AFP via Getty Images)

United fielded an unchanged side from their 1-1 draw with Everton, although Paul Pogba made the bench. It’s the first time the Frenchman has been named in a matchday squad since 30 September when they drew 1-1 with Arsenal.

Nigel Pearson, in his first game in charge, also selected the same starting eleven that performed well against Liverpool last time out.

After an end to end opening Abdoulaye Doucoure had the ball in the back of the net for Watford in the 18th minute, but it was disallowed for a foul on David de Gea as he went up to catch the corner.

The Hornets almost opened the scoring eight minutes later after Marcus Rashford gave the ball away, Watford broke quickly through Troy Deeney and Gerard Deulofeu, but Luke Shaw got back brilliantly to block Deeney’s effort inside the box.

Jesse Lingard wasted United’s best chance of the game in the 34th minute. Anthony Martial put him clean through on goal and he opted to try and chip Ben Foster rather than pick his spot and his effort landed on the roof of the net.

Both sides were still looking for a first effort on target and Doucoure came next closest to opening the scoring for the home side, meeting Kiko’s whipped ball but heading wide of the post five minutes before the break.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Jesse Lingard of Manchester United misses a chance as he is challenged by Christian Kabasele of Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on December 22, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Lingard chipping over for Manchester United (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

De Gea gifted Watford the lead five minutes after the restart with an absolute howler.

Will Hughes’ free kick fell to Ismaila Sarr, whose effort wasn’t clean or powerful, but the ball somehow went through the Spaniard’s hands, hit him in the face and landed in the back of the net.

Four minutes later and bottom of the league Watford were 2-0 up from the penalty spot.

Sarr was brought down inside the box by Aaron Wan-Bissaka before Deeney stepped up and smashed it down the middle to double the home side’s advantage.

WATFORD, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 22: Ismaila Sarr of Watford is fouled in the area by Aaron Wan-Bissaka of Manchester United which lead to a penalty for Watford during the Premier League match between Watford FC and Manchester United at Vicarage Road on December 22, 2019 in Watford, United Kingdom. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
Sarr brought down by Wan-Bissaka to win a penalty (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)

Foster was called into action to deny United’s first shot on target as he kept out Scott McTominay's powerful drive from just outside the box.

In a bid to get United going Solskjaer brought Pogba on for Lingard with 25 minutes left to play in his first appearance since the end of September.

The substitute almost pulled one back for the away side with a curling effort towards the top corner, but Foster was equal to it.

The Watford keeper made the save of the match to deny Rashford in the final minute when the striker looked certain to score, bringing down Martial cross, but the 36-year-old kept it out with his legs.

Three points means Watford are now level on 12 points with Norwich but remain bottom of the league after their second win of the season.

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