Owen Hargreaves has underlined the decline in Manchester United over the years after insisting they would have beaten Watford four or five years ago.
United missed the chance to increase their advantage in the race for the Premier League’s top four after being held to a goalless draw by Roy Hodgson’s side at Old Trafford.
The hosts wasted numerous opportunities to score and dropped vital points against their struggling visitors — and in the process handed a huge chance to Arsenal.
The Gunners sit just two points behind United and hold three games in hand, although Ralf Rangnick's side won’t be overtaken this weekend with Mikel Arteta’s side not in action.
Nevertheless, the game once again outlined the ongoing problems at Old Trafford this season, with former United midfielder Hargreaves feeling things would have been much different just a few years ago.
“Probably on another day, they could have won four or five-nil. Probably four or five years ago, they would have won four or five-nil with the chances they created,” Hargreaves told Premier League Productions.
“Goalscoring has been a huge issue for United this season, I think they’ve got 20 less than Man City, and 25 than Liverpool.
“That’s the big thing, today you’ve got to win that game, the chances are there.
“They’ll be devastated because that top four race is so important to the football club, but they just can’t convert their chances.”
Hargreaves also gave a staunch defence of United interim boss Rangnick after the game, and laid the blame squarely at his players’ door.
“They’re playing a lot better under Ralf, they really are. If anybody thinks Ralf’s the problem, then they’re not watching properly.
“The players are the ones responsible on the pitch, and they’ve got to take those chances when they’re there.”
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