Manchester United host Watford at Old Trafford on Saturday (3pm kick-off) in need of three points to keep the pressure on the Premier League’s top four.

Jose Mourinho’s men got back to winning ways after three straight draws with a comfortable 3-0 victory at champions Leicester last weekend, a result which saw them close the gap on fourth place Arsenal to just two points.

Thus, victory for the Red Devils could take them into the top four for the first time since September, but it won’t be easy against Walter Mazzarri’s Watford, who haven’t lost in the league since a 2-0 defeat to Stoke on January 3.

Since then, the Hornets have picked up eight points from a possible 12, and go to Old Trafford on Saturday off the back of two successive victories, with a fine 2-1 win at Arsenal followed up by a 2-1 success over Burnley last weekend.

Nonetheless, United will go in as heavy favourites on Saturday, and if they were to win, they could go within 11 points of leaders Chelsea.

And, given that they still have to face Antonio Conte’s men at Old Trafford later on in the campaign, Mourinho’s men may feel confident of reeling the Blues in come May.

They certainly have the confidence and the players to do just that, so here is the United XI that can catch Premier League leaders Chelsea…

David De Gea

Spanish international David De Gea has once again showed this season why he’s one of the best goalkeepers in the world.

The 26-year-old struggled in the early stages of his United career, and was actually dropped by Sir Alex Ferguson back in 2011 in favour of Anders Lindegaard, who is now playing his trade at Championship side Preston.

However, De Gea has dramatically improved, and three successive Player of the Year awards at Old Trafford has demonstrated his importance to this United side, with it arguable that Louis van Gaal’s men wouldn’t have made it into the top four back in 2015 but for De Gea’s match-winning displays during the campaign.

The Spaniard is an outstanding shot-stopper, and he’s continued that fine form this term – he’ll once again be integral if United are to try and catch Chelsea between now and May.

Antonio Valencia

It may not be his natural position, but Antonio Valencia looks more like a right-back every time he plays there.

The Ecuadorian international moved to Old Trafford all the way back in 2009 after excelling as a winger at Wigan, and he started reasonably well by netting seven goals in his first season at the club, and winning the Player of the Season award in the 2011/12 campaign.

However, first team opportunities down the flanks became few and far between, yet he has been used as a make-shift right-back over the past few years, and done particularly well there to the point that he’s now their first choice in that position.

Valencia’s defensive capabilities have hugely improved this term, and his form will be important for United between now and May.

Eric Bailly

Eric Bailly’s Ivory Coast didn’t have a great African Cup of Nations last month, but it did mean that the centre-back returned to Manchester earlier than expected.

The 22-year-old, who signed as a relative unknown from Villarreal last summer, was one of United’s better performers in the early phase of the campaign, before an injury against Chelsea in October ruled him out until early December.

However, Bailly played the full 90 minutes on return to the side in their 3-0 success over Leicester last weekend, and he looks set to retain his place at the heart of the defence, as he is certainly one of the best centre-backs at the club.

United fans will be hoping that he can remain injury-free for the rest of the campaign, as having him back is a huge boost for the club.

Phil Jones

Phil Jones wasn’t a player many felt would be in the United first team this term, but several impressive displays now means that it’s a surprise when he’s not named in the starting line-up.

The England international didn’t feature at all up until November 6, where he deputised at the back in the absence of Chris Smalling and Eric Bailly in their win over Swansea.

And, after several solid performances since then, the 24-year-old has made the centre-back spot his own, and has already appeared more times in the Premier League this season than he did last time out.

With Smalling, Bailly, and Marcos Rojo all battling for the centre-back roles, Jones will have to be at his best over the coming weeks, both to keep his place, but to also help United try and reel Chelsea in.

Matteo Darmian

It looked for all the world that Italian full-back Matteo Darmian would be on his way out of Old Trafford in January, given that he made just two appearances for United prior to October 29.

However, his first Premier League start against Burnley on that day paved the way for a regular run in the first team, with other left-back Luke Shaw both injured and unfancied by Mourinho.

Darmian has made 15 appearances in all competitions this term, ten of which have been in the league, and he’ll continue to provide Mourinho with a solid and dependable option at left-back, but can also play right-back if needed.

Ander Herrera

Spaniard Ander Herrera has been arguably United’s best player this season, and is continuing to develop into a top-quality central midfielder.

The 27-year-old wasn’t Mourinho’s first choice at the start of the campaign, although a stunning display in the middle against Liverpool appeared to convince the Portuguese of Herrera’s ability, and since then he hasn’t done a lot wrong.

The Spanish international has appeared in 21 of United’s 24 Premier League games this term, and has struck up a decent partnership with the experienced Michael Carrick in the midfield.

Herrera’s energy, defensive efforts, and strength in the tackle have all been hugely important to United this season, and will continue to be for the rest of the campaign and beyond.

Michael Carrick

It’s incredible to think that United are still as reliant on Michael Carrick now as they were when he first joined the club back in 2006.

The England international has made 440 appearances for the Red Devils, winning the Premier League five times with the club, as well as the Champions League in 2008, and the FA Cup in 2016.

However, it’s what he adds to the team, specifically his calm and assured manner in the midfield, which remains invaluable to United, and almost irreplaceable.

Although he has struggled a bit in recent weeks, Carrick will be crucial in the coming months if United are to reel Chelsea in come May.

Juan Mata

Mourinho has an array of attacking talent at his disposal, yet Juan Mata’s increasing importance in the side is likely to see him retain a starting berth over the coming weeks.

The Spanish international has netted five goals and laid on two assists in 19 Premier League appearances this term, with his latest goal coming in the 3-0 win over Leicester last weekend.

There was speculation at the start of the campaign that Mata may not get a look-in under Mourinho, given that the Portuguese sold him at Chelsea, yet the 28-year-old is United’s second highest goal-scorer this season, and technically as good as anyone in the squad.

Mata is also a big-game player who always carries a threat in the final third, so he’ll be important to Mourinho over the coming months.

Paul Pogba

It took him a while to adapt to the English game, but £89 million man Paul Pogba is slowly but surely feeling his way into his second spell at Old Trafford.

The 23-year-old was bought in the summer from Juventus just four years after leaving United, but didn’t have an immediate impact, scoring just once in his first nine appearances for the Red Devils.

However, Pogba has begun to contribute more readily in the final third over the last few months, netting three goals and grabbing four assists in his last 15 games, but it’s also his all round play in the middle that has received praise from many.

His display against Liverpool last month was poor, and you’d expect more in a big game from someone who cost so much, but overall his season thus far has been good.

Nonetheless, there’s plenty more to come from the Frenchman between now and May.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan

He didn’t feature much in the early stages of the season, but Mourinho’s decision to keep Henrikh Mkhitaryan out of the side to begin with is paying dividends now.

The Armenian captain started just one Premier League game before the start of December, and that lasted just 45 minutes in their 2-1 defeat to Manchester City in September.

However, since starting in the 1-1 draw with Everton on December 4, the 28-year-old has been excellent, netting five goals and laying on two assists in 11 appearances for the Red Devils.

Excellent displays against Zorya, Middlesbrough, and Leicester have underlined his importance to this United attacking unit, so keeping him fit and fresh over the coming weeks will be crucial to United’s slim chances of catching Chelsea.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic

He’s been United’s talisman this season, and Zlatan Ibrahimovic continues to produce the goods upfront for United.

The Swedish forward, who signed on a free last summer after leaving Paris Saint-Germain, has scored 15 goals in 23 Premier League starts this term, and 20 in 33 games in all competitions.

This is the tenth successive season in which Ibrahimovic has scored at least 20 goals, which is a remarkable effort from the 35-year-old, especially as this is his first season in the Premier League.

Obviously, his goals and all round play is crucial to United, so keeping him fresh for the remainder of the campaign is integral to their chances of catching Chelsea.