Manchester United 1-0 Watford. Marcus Rashford earns hosts win on Michael Carrick farewell

Michael Carrick's final game for Manchester United ended in victory as Marcus Rashford's goal earned United a 1-0 win over Watford.

Carrick was instrumental in United's opener in the 34th minute, as he played the ball over the top for Juan Mata, who then laid it off for Rashford to score his seventh league goal of the season.

Watford should have levelled on the stroke of half-time through Richarlison, but the Brazilian headed too close to United goalkeeper Sergio Romero from point-blank range.

Both teams had very little to play for, with United having already made sure of their best Premier League finish in five years following the 0-0 draw with West Ham on Thursday, meaning the second half had a real end of season feel to it. The defeat means Watford dropped a place and finish 14th.

There was no Anthony Martial in the United squad, with the club insisting the France international picked up a late injury, and the much-changed hosts were laboured in his absence in the opening exchanges.

It took until the 34th minute for the game's first meaningful chance, which was converted by Rashford, after Mata had laid the ball across. The pass to play into Mata from Carrick gave the Old Trafford masses a reminder of what they will be missing next season.

Watford remained undeterred, though, and should have levelled 10 minutes later, but Richarlison could only head Daryl Janmaat's cross too close to Romero, who flung out an arm to make a smart stop.

After the break, the tempo faded, as the long season seemed to have taken its toll. Mata did have the ball in the net again, but he was denied by the offside flag.

Carrick's final farewell came late in the match, as he was substituted to rapturous applause, and will now undertake a coaching role at the club.

Watford did press in the dying moments, but could not find a way past Romero as United saw out the season with another win, finishing with 81 points.

Opta stats

• Manchester United have won each of their last seven home league games against Watford, keeping five clean sheets.
• The Red Devils won all 21 of their Premier League matches this season when they scored first, only the second team to achieve this in a Premier League season (also Portsmouth in 2007-08).
• Watford are now goalless in each of their eight away Premier League games - their goalless run stretches to 728 minutes on the road.
• Under Javier Gracia, the Hornets have attempted 61 shots in away Premier League games without scoring.
• Rashford has been involved in 17 goals in his last 18 starts at Old Trafford in all competitions (9 goals, 8 assists).
• Michael Carrick made his 481st and final Premier League appearance - this was his first start in the competition for 364 days (May 14th 2017 against Spurs).
• Sergio Romero has kept six clean sheets in seven Premier League matches for Manchester United.
• Since the start of last season, Manchester United have kept more Premier League clean sheets than any other team (36).

Man of the match - Michael Carrick

He just had to be involved in the winner, spraying one of his trademark passes over the top of the defence for Mata to set up Rashford. On an afternoon of little other quality, Carrick continually picked out his man as he rolled back the years on his Old Trafford farewell.

What's next

Watford's season is done and dusted, but United have the small matter of next weekend's FA Cup final against Chelsea to come, as they look to end the season with some silverware.

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