Watford vs Manchester United: Preview & Prediction

Walter Mazzarri’s Watford play host to Jose Mourinho’s star-studded Manchester United team, who are looking to bounce back from their defeat to Manchester City at Old Trafford last weekend.

The Hornets can approach this fixture with confidence after an impressive away win against West Ham United last time out, in a game in which they looked certain to lose at half-time.

The performances of Troy Deeney and Frenchman Etienne Capoue have been particularly pleasing to the Watford faithful, as they have continued their powerful displays from last season, wasting no time getting amongst the goals.

Fans will be hopeful that Odion Ighalo’s goal last weekend is the catalyst to kick-start his season as the Nigerian has had a slow start to the campaign.

Equally, Red Devils fans will not want to see a repeat of their side’s first-half performance against Manchester City in which they appeared to be second best.

Despite the loss, Zlatan Ibrahimovic was still a scorer in the derby as he continued his confident start to life in the Premier League.

Mourinho’s side will approach this fixture motivated and hungry to improve their recent performances, as they have lost two games in a row ahead of the visit to Hertfordshire after their defeat in the Europa League to Dutch outfit Feyenoord on Thursday.

United forward Martial is still looking to net his first goal of the 2016/17 season – Photo: Marc Atkins / Offside.

Team News:

Defender Brice Dja Djédjé remains sidelined for Watford for around six-to-eight weeks with a foot injury, while Stefano Okaka could miss out with a hamstring injury suffered in the win at the London Stadium.

United defender Phil Jones is ruled out for a month with a knee injury, whilst Henrikh Mkhitaryan is unavailable through a thigh injury suffered in the Europa League defeat to Feyenoord.

League Positions: Watford – 10th (5pts); Manchester United – 4th (9pts)
Last Meeting: Manchester United 1-0 Watford – (March 2, 2016)
Form: Watford – DDLLW; Manchester United – WWWWL
Key Men: Watford – Troy Deeney; Manchester United – Zlatan Ibrahimovic
Shoot Says: Watford 1-2 Manchester United