Friday 10 February 2017

Match preview: United v Watford

United are on their longest unbeaten league run since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement ahead of the Old Trafford visit from Walter Mazzari's Watford.

The reverse fixture at Vicarage Road in September was the low point of the Reds season as the Hornets buzzed to an impressive 3-1 win, their first ever in the league over a then meek and out of sorts United.

Since then, Mazzari has found himself under pressure after an eight game winless run in the league and a shock FA Cup exit at the hands of League One Millwall.

However, back-to-back wins over Arsenal and Burnley have moved the in-form Hertfordshire outfit into the top ten and banished any lingering fears of relegation. 

After our emphatically impressive victory against the champions last time out, another win here would - albeit maybe only briefly - lift us into the top four before Liverpool host Spurs in the tea-time kick off.

Jurgen Klopp's side are a place and a point above United, with Arsenal, who are fourth, two points ahead (they face a rejuvenated Hull side in the lunch time match).
United would move to within a point of City in third spot - who travel to leaky Bournemouth on Monday - in the congested battle for the Champions League positions. 

Phil Jones is United's only absentee with Wayne Rooney available again and Marcos Rojo also looks set to feature after he picked up a knock against the Foxes.

Jose believes the team are in for a testing afternoon against the "organised and dangerous" visitors, and said: "I know that Watford are very difficult - they are defensive but there are teams that play like that without organisation.
"That is not Watford's style, he (Mazzari) is a very good coach, his team are very well organised and have the capability of being dangerous on the counter-attack and at set pieces with a very physical team. 
"We lost to them last time so this time we are going to do everything to win and hopefully we can put that right."

After this match, the Reds league commitments take a back seat with a run of four matches in three cup competitions.
Our European campaign resumes next week with the two-legged tie against Saint-Etienne of Ligue 1 before domestic duties in both the FA and EFL Cups. 

Form guide: United D D L W D W Watford W D D L W W 
Match odds: 8/1 Draw 15/4 Watford 23/2
Referee: Robert Madley 




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