Dennis impresses, Troost-Ekong subbed in as Watford add to Man United’s misery

The Red Devils had skipper Harry Maguire sent off as the Hornets Nigerian imports played crucial roles in a memorable victory

Nigerian international stars Emmanuel Dennis and William Troost-Ekong made significant positive impacts as Watford stunned ten-man Manchester United 4-1 at the Vicarage Road on Saturday.

Super Eagles stand-in captain Troost-Ekong mainly watched from the bench as compatriot Dennis supplied two goals and scored another to condemn the Red Devils to their third defeat in their last four league games. 

In a fantastic first half for the home side, the Hornets saw Ismaila Sarr miss an 11th-minute penalty but still took a two-goal lead.

Dennis, returning from serving a one-game suspension, assisted Joshua King’s opening goal just before the half-hour mark.

Senegal international Sarr then made amends just before the interval with Watford’s second of the afternoon.

United threatened a comeback five minutes after the break when Cristiano Ronaldo created the space for van De Beek to half the deficit.

But Watford manager Claudio Ranieri sent in Troost-Ekong in the 64th minute to shore up the Hornets’ defence and moments later, Harry Maguire was sent off, as the visitors were reduced to ten men.

Still, Man United hoped for a draw and pushed forward for a late equaliser, but Dennis was having none of that and the Nigerian forward made sure of the points in added time. 

First, Dennis squared for Joao Pedro to make it 3-1 to Watford before the Super Eagles forward chased a long Ben Foster pass and finished emphatically to complete a man-of-the-match performance.