Early Team News
Watford, buoyed by their first away victory of the campaign in the FA Cup against West Ham United at the weekend, travel North without on loan goalkeeper, Ben Foster who can not play in the fixture as part of his loan agreement between the two clubs.
Richard Lee is set to deputise between the sticks while Darius Henderson and Mackay Mackay, both of whom picked up knocks at the weekend are expected to recover in time to retain their places.
Will Hoskins is likely to return up front after being cup-tied at Upton Park and new signing from Sheffield United, Steve Kabba is also in the hunt for a debut.
On the debit side Captain, Gavin Mahon and influential defender, Dan Shittu are still doubts following their recent injuries and may join Lee Williamson (toe) plus long term knee injury victims, James Chambers, Clarke Carlisle and Marlon King on the sidelines.
Manchester United meanwhile have injury concerns surrounding Louis Saha who has been struggling with a knee injury.
Wayne Rooney may be left out of the starting line-up ahead of the Red Devils important clash at Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, but Edwin van der Sar is likely to reclaim the goalkeeping jersey from Tomasz Kuszczak, and Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to return to the squad after a brief break in Dubai.
History of the
Watford
Predictably Old Trafford has not proved to be a happy hunting ground for the Golden Boys over the years and they have won just once in their nine visits, a Luther Blissett inspired League Cup win back in 1979.
The last time the two teams met in
For a detailed analysis of the head-to-head between the two sides, click here
Recent encounters between the teams: | |||||
2006/2007 | Sat 26 Aug | 1-2 | PREM | ||
2000/2001 | Tue 31 Oct | 0-3 | LGEC | ||
1999/2000 | Sat 29 Apr | 2-3 | PREM | ||
1999/2000 | Sat 16 Oct | 4-1 | PREM | ||
1987/1988 | Sat 02 Jan | 0-1 | PREM | ||
1987/1988 | Sat 22 Aug | 2-0 | PREM | ||
1986/1987 | Sat 14 Feb | 3-1 | PREM | ||
Recent respective form guides
Manchester United could not have a more impressive recent home form, having won each of the last six games in all competitions. These high-scoring matches have yielded a total of 16 goals for the Red Devils, with 7 against. 
In complete contrast to their hosts, Watford are having a torrid time on their travels, and Saturday's win in the FA Cup Fourth Round against West Ham United, courtesy of an Anthony McNamee strike, was their first of the season in any competition.
Of the last six, the Golden Boys have plundered a further two draws, both of them goalless, at Manchester City and Fulham and lost three times, at Newcastle United (1-2), Liverpool (0-2) and more recently Aston Villa (0-2).
Manchester United are currently sitting proudly at the top of the entire league, having collected 57 points from the 24 games played, whilst Watford find themselves stuck right at the bottom of the division with only 15 points from their 23 fixtures completed.
For a detailed analysis of team form guides throughout the leagues, click here
Current form guides: | P | W | D | L | F | A | P |
Manchester United | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13 | 9 | 13 |
6 | 3 | 1 | 2 | 7 | 7 | 10 |
FootyMad's prediction…
Although the Golden Boys have returned to form with back-to-back victories for the first time this season it is difficult to envisage Aidy Boothroyd's battlers returning home with anything but a defeat.
That said we have every faith
Sequence statistics: | |
Won 8 successive home games. | |
Last drawn game 6 outings ago. | |