Man Utd's De Gea after Watford loss: "It was nightmare after nightmare."

FT: Watford 4-1 Man Utd.

De Gea disappointed with Man Utd loss to Watford. [GETTY]

David De Gea labelled Manchester United’s first-half display against Watford as 'embarrassing' after they were thrashed 4-1 on Saturday afternoon.

The Red Devils returned from the international break and were hoping to bounce back to winning ways after their 2-0 derby defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford two weeks ago, but they were in for a shocker on the East coast of England.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's team should have been a goal down in the sixth minute, were it not for goalkeeper David De Gea, who saved Ismaila Sarr's penalty twice.

But goals from Joshua King and Sarr handed Claudio Ranieri’s side a two-goal lead before the break.

Substitute Donny van de Beek reduced the deficit early in the second half, heading home from close range as both sides had chances to score again in a crazy thriller at Vicarage Road.

Midway through the second half, England defender Harry Maguire was sent off for a second booking, and Joao Pedro's stoppage-time goal made it 3-1 for the Hornets.

Moments before the final whistle, Emmanuel Dennis fired home to make it 4-1, leading to more questions about the future of Solskjaer.

'Embarrassing, nightmare after nightmare.'

Following the clash, an unhappy De Gea said as BBC Sport quoted: "There's not much to say - it was embarrassing to see Man United play like we did today. It's not acceptable - the way we were playing and doing things. It's easy to blame the manager or the staff but sometimes it's the players. We need to show much more than we are doing.

"Embarrassing first half - we could've conceded four goals in 45 minutes. It was hard to watch the team playing today - it was nightmare after nightmare. It's not acceptable.

"We are trying to give our best and fight for the team but for sure something is very wrong. You can see in the games - it's very low level, very poor. Sorry to the fans, once again.

"I've been in difficult moments and always believe in myself but there are difficult moments we have to be strong in mind and body. We are paid to play for United and to do better than that.

"This is not Manchester United or the way we ought to play - it's difficult to say more than that.

"It's been very bad for a long time - a club like Man United we have to be fighting for trophies and fighting for big things and to be honest we are far from that. Let's see - we have to keep working hard and stick together. We always say the same things but it's the truth - we have to look at ourselves and see where we can improve."

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