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AS IT HAPPENED

As it happened: Watford v Man United, Premier League

Watford took on Man United, as the Red Devils sought to keep up at the top with league leaders City.

Hello, and welcome to tonight’s liveblog.

As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on the game. E-mail paul@the42.ie, tweet @the42_ie, post a message to our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.

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Kick off for the games is at 8pm.

You can follow all tonight’s other Premier League games via our score centre here.

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We’re under way…

United have started this game on the front foot.

However, Watford have plenty of pace on the counter with speedy attackers like Richarlison, so United will have to be careful.

Femenía produces a dangerous cross.

However, Lindelöf does well to stop Richarlison getting to the ball.

Watford have been impressive these early stages and have carved out a few half chances.

If the hosts win tonight, they’ll be just one point behind fourth-place Arsenal.

Danger for Watford, as United break.

Eventually, Martial is crowded out by a couple of defenders.

WATFORD 0-1 MAN UNITED (YOUNG 19)

Ashley Young scores his first Premier League goal since 2016.

It’s good work in the build-up by Lingard. He plays it to the England international, who fires home from the edge of the area.

WATFORD 0-2 MAN UNITED (YOUNG 25)

Young gets his second of the night. He curls an unstoppable free kick into the top corner.

The 32-year-old is playing with serious confidence at the moment. He’s not a player who normally attracts headlines, but he’s been the difference between the sides so far.

Watford haven’t actually played that badly and hardly deserve to be 2-0 down.

But United and Ashley Young in particular have been absolutely ruthless in attack.

Richarlison sprints towards goal but Lindelöf makes a good interception to stop him in his tracks.

The Swedish defender has played well in these early stages.

Watford v Manchester United - Premier League - Vicarage Road Manchester United's Romelu Lukaku (left) and Watford's Sebastian Prodl battle for the ball. Andrew Matthews Andrew Matthews

WATFORD 0-3 MAN UNITED (MARTIAL 32)

Man United are taking Watford apart.

It’s an awful header from Kabasele to give the ball away, before United counter and Martial finishes clinically.

Watford have had an excellent season, but have already been beaten 6-0 by Man City earlier in the campaign.

The way they are defending at the moment, it could be a similar scoreline tonight.

Rojo is booked for a foul on Gray.

Watford are still throwing plenty of bodies forward, but haven’t had the necessary composure in the final third to hurt United.

Mariappa gets booked for a mistimed challenge on Martial.

The young French attacker has looked very sharp tonight.

Watford still look very vulnerable on the counter-attack.

This match has the makings of an absolute thrashing judging by the way it is panning out at the moment.

Excellent double save by Gomes after United counter-attack again.

He saves from Lukaku first, before denying Lingard on the rebound.

Good save from De Gea.

Femenía crosses to Richarlison, whose header is tipped over.

HALF-TIME: WATFORD 0-3 MAN UNITED

So half-time and it’s been impressive from United.

Martial and Young have excelled, with the game now effectively over, given how clinical the visitors have been on the counter-attack.

Watford, though, have been disappointing, especially when you consider their recent excellent form.

Tactically, Marco Silva has got it wrong, with the Red Devils being given far too much space to exploit on the break.

The second half has begun…

Cleverley’s cross is claimed by De Gea.

Watford still look like they think they can get something from this game.

Richarlison and Zeegelaar both have shots blocked before it’s cleared for a corner.

Moments later, United break with speed, but Lukaku’s cross-shot from a tight angle goes wide.

Worryingly for United, Matic hobbles off.

He’s replaced by Herrera.

Watford v Manchester United - Premier League - Vicarage Road Manchester United's Anthony Martial scores his side's third goal of the game. EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

Watford make a double change.

Hughes and Prodl go off, while Pereyra and Carrillo come on.

Doucouré curls a shot well over.

Watford look a beaten team devoid of ideas at the moment.

Femenía finds Richarlison at the backpost. The Brazilian’s header is off target, however.

Meanwhile, United make a change, as Rashford replaces Martial, who has looked very good tonight.

Carrillo finds space down the left. Rojo nervously clears the cross at the second attempt.

United have defended very well tonight as a unit.

Watford make a final change.

Deeney is on for Gray.

Pogba gets goal-side of Mariappa.

However, his free header goes over the bar.

Mariappa loses the ball in his box.

Lukaku has a good chance to finish after Rashford plays it to him. However, he hesitates before forcing a save from Gomes.

PENALTY TO WATFORD!

Carrillo beats Rojo before being taken down by the defender.

It’s a definite penalty.

WATFORD 1-3 MAN UNITED (DEENEY 78)

Deeney makes no mistake with his penalty, sending De Gea the wrong way.

Surely they can’t complete a miraculous comeback, can they?

Deeney gets his head to a cross, but his attempt is straight at De Gea.

Watford continue to press forward.

WATFORD 2-3 MAN UNITED (DOUCOURÉ 84)

Surely not.

Carrillo, who’s had a huge impact, finds Doucouré, whose unstoppable volley finds the corner.

MAN UNITED 4-2 WATFORD (LINGARD 86)

United have been so clinical on the counter-attack.

Lingard sprints from his own half, beats Mariappa and fires the ball home to confirm United’s win.

It’s his last act in the game, as he’s replaced by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Richarlison gets to the by-line. His cross is blocked by De Gea.

It’s been a highly entertaining second half.

FULL-TIME: WATFORD 2-4 MAN UNITED

Right, that’s all from me. Thanks for reading and commenting.

You can read our report of the game here.

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