Watford Boss Javi Gracia Insists Fans Can Be Proud of 'Fighting' Performance in Man Utd Defeat

Javi Gracia has admitted that Manchester United were the better team during the first half of his side's 2-1 loss to the Red Devils on Saturday.

The Hornets were two goals down at half time courtesy of strikes from Romelu Lukaku and Chris Smalling, but Gracia insisted his team improved in the second period after a poor opening.

​He said, as quoted by ​Sky Sports: "I think the first half, they played much better than us. They had more possession, more chances and they played better.

"We spoke at half-time and tried to improve things and I think we made a step forward. We were able to get out and create more chances, have more possession and we competed better in the second half.

"Deserve [a draw] or not deserve, I don't know.If we scored in the last minutes, maybe it would have been a draw and it would have been a very good result for us, but we tried and I think it is a line we need to keep for the next few games.

"The most important thing for me is that we made a very big effort again. We tried to win, but if we have to lose, we have to lose like today in this way, fighting until the end, showing all the time our spirit and character. Our fans, they have to be proud of us and we have to make an effort and I think the players have done it."

On ​United, the former Malaga boss added: "I think the same as I did before the game. For me, it is a very good team and you can see today they had a lot of options, they played well with the ball, defend well and for me, it is a great team."

​Watford's next fixture is a trip to Fulham before a Caabao Cup tie in Milton Keynes against Tottenham.

Source: 90min

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