Manchester United will look to get over the twin disappointment of the Manchester Derby and the depressing trip and defeat against Feyenoord. Jose Mourinho might pull a long face at the prospect of a Europa League campaign but the inept performance put on by his team will have incurred the wrath of the self-anointed Special One. Spending over £156m on the team and breaking several transfer records along the way, the Portuguese has attracted a lot of attention and expectation from the Old Trafford faithful. And after the twin setbacks, he has to notch up the 3 points at the Vicarage Road and preferably in a comfortable manner.
With huge difference in scale and quality between the two sides, ideally for Manchester United it should be a straight forward result but the sense of vulnerability around Old Trafford is palpable at the moment and Watford will look to bring their A-game to the table as they attempt to make life even tougher for the hurting Red Devils.
Watford showed good application against Chelsea but rolled over against Arsenal, especially in the first half. And the fans would be hoping they are able to bring the balance in attack and defence in a similar manner like they did against Chelsea. Watford have to delay the first Manchester United goal and the longer they are able to do that the better chance they will have of nicking something from the game.
HERE IS T4O’s PREDICTED MANCHESTER UNITED LINE-UP VS WATFORD (4-2-3-1)
DEFENCE
David De Gea will start in goal and will have to be on his toes to repel any sort of occasional shots that Watford do take. Antonio Valencia will start at right-back and will be important going forward as he will provide an ever-present out on the right flank. Eric Bailly will be at centre-back with Daley Blind his most likely partner. Although Smalling is certainly in contention now having played 90 minutes in the Europa League encounter. Luke Shaw is likely to be reinstated at left back after given rest due to a niggle.
MIDFIELD
Fellaini and Pogba are again in-line to start with Jose Mourinho desperate to fit Pogba into a two-man midfield. Fellaini is likely to hang back letting Pogba do the damage up the pitch. Wayne Rooney will be recalled in the No.10 position after being rested completely for the midweek match.
ATTACK
The flank roles are contentious at the moment with no guaranteed starters. Lingard was rested in midweek indicating that he might get a start while Marcus Rashford is looking likely to start on the left flank, leaving Zlatan Ibrahimovic as the lone striker.
