Man Utd Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Watford

Kris Voakes

Man Utd Team News: Injuries, suspensions and line-up vs Watford image

After a convincing victory at Burnley last time out, Jose Mourinho was asked whether Manchester United might have been hoping to get straight back out on the field rather than having to see out an international break before their trip to Watford on Saturday.

"I would like to play, but I think also Watford would like to play," he told reporters. "Because they also have the momentum of leading after four matches, four victories."

And therein lies the difference between the two sides heading into the fixture at Vicarage Road on Saturday, with United playing catch-up after losing two of their opening four games and Javi Gracia's side flying high alongside Liverpool and Chelsea with a 100 per-cent record.

United will be looking to pocket three crucial points from the trip south before travelling to Switzerland for the start of their Champions League campaign against Young Boys on Wednesday.


Man Utd Injuries


Luke Shaw ought to miss out after suffering concussion following a heavy knock playing for England against Spain, but United are hopeful he could return after receiving treatment in the club's special medical facility.

Marouane Fellaini missed out on Belgium duty completely due to a minor back problem, while Phil Jones was absent from the trip to Burnley due to hamstring trouble. Diogo Dalot, though, could make his United debut having come through an under-23s fixture with no adverse effects.

Sergio Romero is in contention for his first squad call-up of the season after being an unused substitute in both of Argentina's games during the international break.

Luke Shaw injury England Spain


Man Utd Suspensions


Marcus Rashford misses the next three Premier League games having been sent off against Burnley for a retaliatory head-butt.


Man Utd Starting Line-Up


The question mark over Marouane Fellaini could force Jose Mourinho into one change in midfield, while Luke Shaw's concussion would see United needing to make a second alteration to the side which won at Burnley.

If both miss out then one of Fred and Ander Herrera is likely to step up into midfield, while Ashley Young should make his second start of the season - and first at left-back - in place of Shaw.

Otherwise Mourinho is unlikely to make too many changes to his winning XI.

Man Utd possible XI


Watford Team News


Javi Gracia's Hornets have stunned almost everyone by getting off to a flying start in 2018-19, registering four wins from their opening four Premier League games.

Last time out they came from behind to beat Tottenham 2-1 at Vicarage Road, ending Spurs' 100 per-cent start.

Gracia has enjoyed the luxury of being able to pick the same starting XI for all four of their Premier League games so far, meaning Troy Deeney and Andre Gray are settled as Watford's strike partnership while Roberto Pereyra has been given the freedom to pull up trees with his excellent form from midfield. The ex-Udinese and Juventus star has three goals to his name already.

Elsewhere, Christian Kabasele and Abdoulaye Doucoure have been in scintillating form down the spine of the side, and United will be wary of a Watford side coming into Saturday's game full of confidence.

Troy Deeney Jose Holebas Watford


TV Channel & Kick-off time


The match at Vicarage Road kicks off at 5:30pm BST on Saturday, with live coverage in the UK provided on BT Sport 1 from 5pm. In the U.S. the game will be shown on NBCSN at 12:30pm ET.


Best Opta Match facts


  • Watford have lost 12 of their last 13 matches against Manchester United in league competition, with their solitary win coming at Vicarage Road in September 2016 (3-1).

  • Of teams they’ve faced 10 or more times, only against Wigan (94%) have Manchester United recorded a higher win rate in the Premier League than they have versus Watford (90% - 9 wins from 10).

  • Since Javi Gracia’s first home game in charge in February, Watford (23) have won more Premier League points in home fixtures than any other team (P10 W7 D2 L1).

  • Watford have won four consecutive home games in the top-flight for the first time since December 1986. They last enjoyed a longer such streak back in October 1985 (7), a run that included a 5-1 victory against Ron Atkinson’s Man Utd at Vicarage Road.

  • This is the first time that Watford have started a top-flight campaign with four wins from their opening four games. It is also the fourth time that three sides have won their first
    four games of a single season in the English top-flight (also 2009-10, 1969-70 and 1903-04).

  • Man Utd have either scored two or more goals or none at all in each of their last nine Premier League away games, scoring at least twice on five occasions (W4 D1 L4).

  • Romelu Lukaku has scored 19 goals in 38 Premier League matches for Manchester United. Should he net in this match, only three players will have reached 20 goals for the Red Devils in fewer games than the Belgian - Ruud van Nistelrooy (26 games), Robin van Persie (32) and Dwight Yorke (34).

  • Manchester United’s Alexis Sanchez has had a hand in six goals in five Premier League appearances against Watford (three goals, three assists), scoring in both of his games at Vicarage Road.

Kris Voakes

Kris Voakes Photo