Solskjaer reacts to win over Watford

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was impressed by the potential of his Manchester United side, but is demanding more, as the Reds beat Watford in the Norwegian's first match as permanent manager.

Goals from Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial either side of half-time put Ole's side in control with the Hornets' Abdoulaye Doucoure pulling one back in the final minute.

Speaking to MUTV after the game, Solskjaer pointed out things to improve on, while supplying his reaction to the fans' banner before kick-off and the pass from Luke Shaw to Marcus Rashford for the opener.

OUR CHANGE OF SYSTEM MADE THE DIFFERENCE

“It’s always hard work when you play in the Premier League and, of course today, it showed that we’d been away on internationals. It showed that a few players have been injured, not really 100 per cent match-fit yet, but we got through it and that’s important. We started off sloppily. The first 15-20 minutes, I think Watford deserved to get the lead. It was almost like we were waiting for them to score.

”We managed to change the system a little bit and got into the game. Juan [Mata] got into the game for us. We created chances. We scored a great goal, could have had more goals because it was end-to-end in the last 20 minutes of the first half. The second half was disappointing, again.“

THE PLAYERS HAVE BEEN MAGNIFICENT

“We’ve been excellent. The players have been excellent, they’ve done magnificent. The training on Friday was the best since I’ve been here, maybe too good. The intensity, the quality, the focus was good. Then we came out here and we were a little bit unsure. But after 15-20 minutes today we could see what the potential is in this group and we can improve on the second half.”

OUR CENTRE-BACKS WERE CRUCIAL

“Shawy [Luke Shaw], I think he was one of the big plusses. Rashy and Anthony up front too, but the two centre-backs with [Phil] Jones, especially, and Chris [Smalling], I thought they defended well for us. Without them today, I think it would have been a different result, I have to say.”

A BRIGHT FUTURE FOR MARCUS

“He’s confident. He’s practised more and more finishing. Not only his shots, he’s doing more and more, wants to do more and more, and he’ll turn into a very good goalscorer. Don’t worry about that.”

OUR SUBS MADE AN IMPACT

“Yeah, of course. It’s energy, it’s young boys, it’s our own Academy players and we need energy and I have to say they [Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira] spurred us on a little bit because we looked a little jaded after about an hour and they came on and made a difference.”

WAS MARTIAL INJURED?

“I’m not sure how he’ll be for Tuesday, but we’ll check on him and we’ve got a couple of days now to get ready for Tuesday. That’s the main thing.”

THE OLD TRAFFORD SUPPORT

“I have to say the fans have been unbelievable with me ever since I came here in 1996. They made today special. It’s not about me today, but it’s the first game in the rest of the season, so fantastic.”