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* MANCHESTER UNITED BEAT WATFORD 4-2 AT VICARAGE ROAD IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE * ROMELU LUKAKU SHOWED SIGNS HIS LACK OF GOALS HAS DENTED HIS CONFIDENCE  * ASHLEY YOUNG HAS BOOSTED HIS CONTRACT

HOPES AFTER HIS RECENT PERFORMANCES By KIERAN GILL FOR THE DAILY MAIL Published: 16:45 EDT, 28 November 2017 | Updated: 03:49 EDT, 29 November 2017 Manchester United held off a Watford

fightback record a 4-2 victory at Vicarage Road on Tuesday. Ashley Young scored twice for United before Anthony Martial extended the lead. Troy Deeny converted a penalty for Watford before 

Abdoulaye Doucoure got a second. Jesse Lingard settled the match with a fine solo effort. Here are five things we learned from the entertaining encounter.  Romelu Lukaku arguably should have

been nowhere near Hertfordshire after his kick on Brighton’s Gaitan Bong, which the FA decided did not warrant action. The striker also went into this with one goal in his last 10 games. 

With Zlatan Ibrahimovic breathing down his neck from the bench, Lukaku had to respond. He started the move for United’s opener which, against the run of play, got them going. In the second

half, though, there were signs of a lack of confidence, when he opted to cross rather than shoot and fluffed his lines with one chance when it looked easier to score. Must improve. Former

Watford academy kid Ashley Young had no issue celebrating his goals. And why should he? Both strikes were sublime. Both warranted celebrations, even if he did make his Premier League debut

with the Hornets over a decade ago.  Young had a chance for his hat-trick before half-time from a free-kick 25 yards out. ‘If Ashley scores, we’re on the pitch,’ United fans sang. It hit the

wall.  The man in the market for a new contract certainly did himself no harm here. Marco Silva was labelled the ‘new Mourinho’ by some after Watford’s record-equalling start to a

top-flight season.  This was a big test and Silva was certainly brave. He did not set his side up with a defensive brick wall or to simply counter-attack. They played with two up front and

were on top in the opening stages before Young’s screamer knocked the wind out of their sails.  They gave it a go in the second half too.  Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City won 6-0 when they

visited Vicarage Road in September. It was only natural their neighbours and title rivals would be judged accordingly.  Jose Mourinho’s side had been dominant at home this season but average

away, having suffered successive losses at Chelsea and Huddersfield ahead of this. They had a point to prove.  Three goals before the break did that, though they were given a scare in the

second half when Watford pulled it back to 3-2 with six minutes to go. Not quite as convincing as Pep’s lot but they got the job done. Watford’s Richarlison had the odd chance from crosses

and hit the crossbar with a header but United’s back three tracked the Brazilian well.  Victor Lindelof in particular put up a fight with Richarlison and Andre Gray and showed good awareness

and positioning.  After his mistake at Huddersfield cost United last month, he appeared confident and put in a much-improved performance. Maybe the £31million summer signing is starting to

settle in.