After their UEFA Champions League exertions, Manchester United will turn their attention to the Premier League as they welcome Watford to Old Trafford on Saturday.
Venue: Old Trafford (Manchester)
Key Statistics
Manchester United are unbeaten in their last seven Premier League games (W4, D3).
They have scored ten league goals via substitutes this season.
The Red Devils have kept one clean sheet across their last six games.
Watford have lost seven of their last ten games in all competitions (W1, D2).
The Hornets have failed to score in two of their last three away league games.
They have a respectable defensive record away from home this season, conceding only 16 times compared to Manchester United’s 18 goals conceded away from home.
Roy Hodgson is unbeaten in his last three personal PL trips to Old Trafford (W2, D1).
Head to head
In the Premier League, both teams have met 15 times with Manchester United winning 12 of those games while Watford have managed just three wins.
Latest performances in all competitions
Man United: D-W-W-D-D
Watford: L-W-L-L-D
Man United
Manchester United will hope to continue their decent run under Ralf Rangnick when they welcome struggling Watford to Old Trafford.
The Red Devils come into this tie on the back of a 1-1 draw with Atletico Madrid in the UEFA Champions League. In a game they were expected to win easily given the form of Atletico Madrid, United struggled in the first half, conceding the first goal inside the first ten minutes when Joao Felix was allowed to ghost into the box to head home for Diego Simeone’s men.
After that goal, Manchester United continued to huff and puff without truly testing Jan Oblak in the Atletico goal.
With the clock ticking down and Atletico threatening to double their lead, Anthony Elanga stepped up for United from the bench to score his third goal in as many games. The result means that their UCL tie with Atletico remains on the balance ahead of the return leg in Old Trafford in a few days.
In the Premier League, Ralf Rangnick’s side are in pole position to finish within the top four after recording a 4-2 win over Leeds United last time out.
The Old Trafford side are currently sitting in fourth place, five points ahead of the chasing pack. They will face Watford, confident of getting a win.
Possible Man United starting line-up
David de Gea; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw; Paul Pogba, Fred; Jadon Sancho, Bruno Fernandes, Anthony Elanga; Cristiano Ronaldo.
Injured: Edinson Cavani
Doubtful: Scott McTominay
Suspended: Mason Greenwood
Watford
Watford’s chances of Premier League survival took another big hit on Wednesday night as they were defeated by Crystal Palace.
Goals from Jean-Philippe Mateta, Conor Gallagher and a late brace from Wilfried Zaha, gave Patrick Vieira’s side maximum points and condemned Watford to their 17th loss of the season.
The result also means that no side has lost more games this season than the Hornets who are currently sitting in 19th place, four points from safety.
After their impressive 1.0 win over Aston Villa last weekend, one was expecting them to pull together a decent run of results. But they remain the porous side they had been before Roy Hodgson took over.
However, with star-man Ismaila Sarr fully fit and back to the starting XI, they will hope that they can repeat their 4-1 win over Manchester United the last time both sides met.
Possible Watford starting line-up
Ben Foster; Kiko Femenia, Craig Cathcart, Samir, Hassane Kamara; Juraj Kucka, Edo Kayembe, Moussa Sissoko; Josh King, Emmanuel Dennis, Ismaila Sarr.
Injured: Nicolas Nkoulou
Doubtful: Peter Etebo, Juraj Kucka
Suspended: None
Prediction
Manchester United 3-1 Watford
