Watford vs Manchester United
Premier League
Date: Sunday, September 18, 2016
Time: 12:00 BST
Venue: Vicarage Road
Two losses in a less than a week for Jose Mourinho has completely changed the feeling around the club, there’s no denying that. Perhaps understandable the loss against Manchester City, with both clubs seeming to be progressing at different paces, however the defeat against Feyenoord felt like something similar.
It felt like a blast from the past, a pinch of what United fans had to endure during the reigns of David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.
Now, questions haven’t just arisen about the performances of Wayne Rooney, but most of his team-mates as well, with Paul Pogba, Chris Smalling and Memphis Depay all under the spotlight once again.
Smalling said after Thursday’s loss that United must ‘stand up and be counted’ against Watford, and that’s exactly what they must do.
United need to go for it against Watford, simple as that.
For all the creativity and imagination bought this summer with Pogba, Ibrahimovic and Mkhitaryan, United have been painfully dull in their last two games.
After the weekend’s results the Red Devils are under even more pressure, with Arsenal and Manchester City both smashing four goals past their opponents and also Liverpool defeating Chelsea.
Just like against Feyenoord, United have to be careful as well. Odion Ighalo looks like he’s starting to recapture some form alongside the ever dangerous Troy Deeney, with Etienne Capoue also chipping in with goals at the beginning of the season.
Remember this is a side who came down from 2-0 last weekend against West Ham away from home, and scored four goals without reply.
Watford are flying and it could either be the perfect test for United to regain some confidence or if they continue with the lack of creativity, it could be a long afternoon for the Red Devils.
Team news
The big guns are back, with Wayne Rooney, Antonio Valencia, Luke Shaw all returning to the squad for the trip to Vicarage Road.
Eric Bailly will have a late fitness test to assess a knock he picked up on Thursday, with Mikhitaryan also a possible doubt.
For the Hornets, Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Prodl could be late additions into the line-up after both picking up knocks.
Possible line-ups
Man Utd: De Gea, Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Shaw; Fellaini, Pogba, Mata, Rooney, Martial; Ibrahimovic
Watford: Gomes, Janmatt, Cathcart, Kaboul, Britos; Holebas, Pereyra, Behrami, Capoue; Deeney, Ighalo
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