Saturday, 17 September 2016

Match preview: Watford v United

Jose Mourinho will revert back to a "normal" line-up when his United side travel to Hertfordshire looking to respond from two successive defeats.

Having made eight changes for the trip to Feyenoord in the week, the Portuguese boss will restore Wayne Rooney, Antonio Valencia, Luke Shaw and Zlatan Ibrahimovic but Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan could both be doubtful. 

These two sides go into this Sunday high noon kick-off on the back of contrasting fortunes.

United are still digesting a disappointing derby defeat and a Europa League loss in the first setback of Jose Mourinho's tenure as Watford picked up their first win under new head coach Walter Mazzari with an excellent 4-2 success at West Ham last time out (having been 2-0 down late in the first half).

Captain Troy Deeney and his strike partner Odion Ighalo opened their accounts for the season in that game and hit 28 between them last term as the Hertfordshire side ended in a creditable 13th position.
However, it's free-scoring Frenchman Etienne Capoue who has proved to be their main asset in front of goal with three to his name so far for the midfielder. 


"I don't think it will be easy as I know the qualities of Watford but it is a new event, it is another match and we have to start again" said Mourinho.
"It starts from minute zero at 0-0 so I think it has nothing to do with what has happened in the previous two matches.
"But obviously when you lose matches, the mood, the feeling, is not the same but that is normal.
"I think the players are experienced players, they are good guys and I know they want to win, to work, and to make the fans happy so that is what all of have to do" added the boss. 


United secured a league double over  Watford on the Vicarage Road side's return to the top flight last term but needed two late goals to secure the points and make it eleven successive wins over the Hornets.

Bastian Schweinsteiger's injury time intervention gave the Reds a 2-1 win on our last visit here in November before a wonderful late Juan Mata free-kick proved enough to settle the Old Trafford return.

Form guide: Watford D L L L W United W W W W L L
Match odds: Watford to win 24/5 Draw 31/10 United to win 13/5 

Referee: Michael Oliver (Northumberland)






No comments:

Post a Comment