Mileta Rajovic fires Watford through as Tom Cleverley gets win over Wayne Rooney

Posted Wednesday, August 28, 2024 by PA

Watford marched into the third round of the Carabao Cup as manager Tom Cleverley triumphed 2-0 over his old Manchester United team-mate, Plymouth boss Wayne Rooney.

A goal in each half from Hornets striker Mileta Rajovic was enough to see off Argyle, although substitute Ryan Hardie hit the post for Rooney’s men late on.

Cleverley made seven changes from the team that beat Derby 2-1 at home on Saturday to lift the Hornets to second in the table.

Rooney included nine men who did not figure in the 1-1 draw at QPR, a couple forced by the fact that Argyle had two players sent off in that match.

The second-round pairings had thrown up a clash between two former United stars who won the Premier League title under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013.

Watford always held the edge and struck first when Rajovic netted with a flick from a right-wing cross by Ryan Porteous.

Argyle came under tremendous pressure from the start of the second half, and keeper Dan Grimshaw pulled off some fine saves before Rajovic hooked in from the edge of the six-yard box.

It all adds up to a grim start for Rooney, who took over at Argyle in the summer. His only victory has been over Cheltenham in the first round of this competition.