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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Liam Wood

Cristiano Ronaldo left furious and three more Manchester United moments missed vs Watford

Manchester United have offered further encouragement to Arsenal in the top four race after they were held to a goalless draw by Watford on Saturday afternoon.

Having made four changes to the starting XI - with Jadon Sancho dropping to the bench - United started brightly and missed several good opportunities in the opening 45 minutes.

Calling for patience at that stage, it proved to be a frustrating afternoon for Ralf Rangnick as his side were unable to break down the Hornets in the second-half.

It means fifth-placed Arsenal sit just two points behind United with three games in hand.

Here are four moments you might have missed during the Watford draw...

A reality check for United

Rather than racing back to the dressing room to pick up their mobile phones to find out the other Premier League scores, United's players were already fully aware of the consequences of a frustrating draw against Watford.

Arsenal didn't even have to lace up their boots this weekend and they still ramped up the pressure on United.

Of course, there is still a long way to go in the top four race, but the Gunners are now well placed to make a charge for Champions League qualification.

Calls for peace in Ukraine

If you were slightly late taking your seat at Old Trafford, you might have wondered what all the pre-match applause was about.

Players from both teams showed solidarity in response to the ongoing crisis between Russia and Ukraine by displaying a banner calling for peace.

Rangnick has been credited with requesting the banner be displayed, with the word 'peace' written in a number of different languages.

A banner was displayed pre-match calling for peace between Russia and Ukraine. (Getty Images)

Ronaldo fumes at Fernandes

If maths is not particularly your strong suit, you can forget about totting up the number of chances United missed against Watford.

Match-goers were offered the dreaded feeling of deja vu when Anthony Elanga, Bruno Fernandes and Cristiano Ronaldo all squandered golden opportunities.

Cristiano Ronaldo was left hugely frustrated during the opening 45 minutes. (Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

What you might not have spotted, though, was how Ronaldo reacted to Fernandes not squaring to him when presented with an open goal.

Say what you like about Ronaldo, his fury at his teammate's inability to pick him out was definitely justified.

United need Cavani return

While Ronaldo would have found himself on the scoresheet had Fernandes squared the ball to him in the first-half, it's hard to deny that United are missing an alternative option up front at a time when Ronaldo has had to play nearly three full matches in just seven days.

Edinson Cavani is edging back to full fitness and his return will be most welcome when it comes.

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