Richardson almost got on the end of a Solskjaer cross as the Norwegian again found himself in a good position close to the visitors' box.

Watford pulled everyone behind the ball on virtually each occasion United gained possession as they attempted to pull off the shock of the Premiership season so far.

Ronaldo ignored the runs of Richardson and Solskjaer after picking up possession just inside the Watford half, eventually driving a disappointing shot straight at Lloyd Doyley.

A mistake by Heinze handed Watford their first corner but after Tommy Smith had found space on the edge of the area, his cross was easily collected by Kuszczak.

Too many routine passes were going astray for United's liking, and suddenly Sir Alex Ferguson's decision not to name Ryan Giggs or Paul Scholes on the bench was looking a bit dodgy.

Rooney did loop a header just wide from Richardson's cross but United were hardly peppering Lee's goal as they moved the ball from side to side without gaining any ground.

Redemption came after 19 minutes when referee Mike Dean caught Jay Demerit pulling Solskjaer back as he attempted to reach Rooney's lay off.

The spot-kick award offered Cristiano Ronaldo the chance to blast home his 13th Premiership goal of the campaign and the Portugal winger duly obliged.

Ronaldo followed up a series of step-overs by rolling the ball to Gary Neville, whose first-time effort was well saved by Lee at his near post.

Rooney did not get enough power behind a 25-yard shot to test the keeper, although his next effort brought United a corner as it flicked wide off Doyley.

United survived a major scare when Chris Powell floated a cross to the far post which Kuszczak, attempting to push it over the bar, succeeding only in propelling against his own post.

The hosts quickly got back onto the offensive and, after Demerit had headed a Ronaldo cross away, Powell scurried back to clear when Solskjaer attempted to find Rooney with a cut-back.

Vidic met Carrick's corner with force but his header sailed over.

Demerit was booked for another tug on Solskjaer's shirt, this time just outside the box. Darius Henderson nodded Richardson's free-kick behind for another corner which Carrick again planted on Vidic's head; the Serbian this time flicking the ball wide.

Henderson and Vidic were cautioned by Dean following a robust aerial challenge which saw both men rise rubbing their heads.

Richardson then saw his shot flash just over after taking a deflection off Powell.

HT: Manchester United 1 Watford 0

Richardson came agonisingly close to setting up Solskjaer in the opening minute of the second-half but his low cross narrowly evaded the on-rushing Norwegian.

Ronaldo then rolled a shot wide before Adrian Mariappa volleyed a Rooney cross that seemed destined to land at Solskjaer's feet.

Henderson was harshly ruled to have fouled Ferdinand as the pair tussled to reach Doyley's pass deep in United territory.

Ronaldo was warming to his task and after one dazzling run, released Rooney, who was bravely closed down by Lee.

More United pressure ended with Rooney lining up a 25-yard shot which flashed just wide of the Watford goal.

The England striker was less than pleased moments later when he sent Richardson haring down the left flank and sprinted off looking for the return ball, only for his team-mate to screw a woeful shot into the side-netting.

United did not have to wait long for a second, as Doyley's efforts at preventing Ronaldo reaching Richardson's inswinging cross only saw him nod into his own net.

Henrik Larsson replaced Solskjaer with 25 minutes left, and United would have had a third not long afterwards had Lee not produced a superb save to prevent Mariappa nodding Rooney's cross into his own net.

However, United's next goal arrived on their next attack. Larsson laid off a pass to Rooney, who returned the compliment with a superb through ball which invited the clinical finish.

United were now in the mood to turn on the style and when Ronaldo followed up a searing run at the Watford defence by lifting an amazing pass beyond their rearguard to Rooney, the England man finished in an appropriate manner, lofting the ball high over Lee before watching it drop into an empty net.

Ferguson replaced Carrick and Vidic with Wes Brown and Mikael Silvestre but the hosts still carved out chances.