Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will be hoping to get back on track after the international break. With United having suffered back to back defeats for the first time under his stewardship, he’ll be looking for an improved performance against Watford.
The Hornets form over the past month or so has been consistently good against teams lower down the table, with decent wins against the likes of Cardiff and Leicester. They also secured passage to the FA Cup semi-final after a victory versus Crystal Palace last time out.
However, Javi Gracia’s side record against the ‘big six’ away from home has been poor although as the Independent reported in March the Watford boss was recently awarded a contract extension to 2023 on account of their overall play this season. The Hornets, however, lost 5-0 to Liverpool a month ago and also suffered a 3-1 loss to Manchester City. United will be hoping that they put in the same type of performance at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The Red Devils are likely to welcome back a number of players from injury this weekend. Captain Antonio Valencia has recovered from a calf strain after playing for Ecuador against the USA during the international break.
Marcus Rashford (ankle), Luke Shaw (knock), Jesse Lingard (hamstring), Anthony Martial (knee) and Nemanja Matic (knock) all skipped international duty, and should be fit for the clash against Watford. Eric Bailly (head), Ander Herrera (hip) and Matteo Darmian (knock) are also expected to return.
Despite the numerous injury doubts the premier league odds for the match make United favourites to come away with the three points. They are available at 9/20 for the win, with a draw at 18/5. A Watford victory is best best priced at 15/2.
Romelu Lukaku is, though, a major doubt. The Belgian striker did not take part in either of Belgian’s Euro 2020 qualifiers against Russia and Cyprus due to a foot injury, which also kept him out of the 2-1 defeat to Wolves in the FA Cup. Alexis Sanchez is also not fit enough to feature as he continues his recovery from a knee problem.
Watford have only one injury to worry about heading into Saturday’s game. Left-back Jose Holebas is struggling with an ankle injury and is a slight doubt for the weekend.
Manchester United’s Predicted XI To Face Watford:
De Gea, Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw, Herrera, Matic, Pogba, Lingard, Rashford, Martial
Watford’s Predicted XI:
Foster, Janmaat, Mariappa, Cathcart, Holebas, Deulofeu, Hughes, Doucoure, Capoue, Pereyra, Deeney
Predicted Score – 3-1 to United
