- Wayne Rooney’s Plymouth are winless in their opening three league games
- Tom Cleverley has outplayed his former Manchester United teammate Rooney
- LISTEN NOW: It’s all just beginning!Available wherever you get your podcasts. New episodes every Monday and Thursday
The September international break is something that can send shivers down the spine of Watford managers, but Tom Cleverley should be able to rest easy when it arrives this weekend after overtaking former Manchester United and England team-mate Wayne Rooney to make it five wins in five this season.
Rooney described himself and Cleverley, who were part of the last United team to win the Premier League, as “good friends who have been on holiday together on many occasions” before the game but saw his side succumb to a 2-0 defeat thanks to Mileta Rajovic’s double.
“I thought we dominated the game and had the best chances,” Cleverley said after the match.
“I enjoyed the challenge of going up against Wayne. It’s always good to see old teammates and exchange ideas and stories. I wish him all the best for the season.”
The start of the match was marked by an emotional tribute to Sven-Goran Eriksson, the manager who gave Rooney his debut for England, while Swedish full-back Ken Sema was given the Hornets armband.
Mileta Rajovic scored twice as Watford sank Plymouth Argyle in the Carabao Cup second round
Rooney and Cleverley are good friends, as the former England captain admitted before the match.
Rooney’s side are yet to record their first league win of the season but did beat Cheltenham to reach the second round before Tuesday’s defeat.
Watford looked set to score early on and their early pressure showed when Rajovic deftly headed in Ryan Porteous’ cross, only for the ball to slip through Dan Grimshaw’s legs.
Grimshaw made up for it with a series of stunning saves to keep Watford at bay, but Rajovic clinically added a second goal 18 minutes from time to seal the game, with Rooney’s men lacking quality in attack.
The hosts cruised through the remainder of the clash and Cleverley can reflect on the promising foundations he is building in Hertfordshire, while Rooney will have no doubts about the task ahead after his side were soundly beaten, albeit by Ryan Hardie hitting the post late on.
“I think we’re playing one aspect of the game well and not the other,” Rooney said. “It’s about performing well both in possession and out of possession.”
“I felt there were some good things with the ball, but we were a bit too good in the final third, so I’m disappointed with the result, but I’m happy with where we are.”
