Manchester United will go top this lunchtime if they can get three points at Vicarage Road. That’s not bad going for a much-maligned LVG side.
Paul Scholes is pitchside and has made a knowing reference to criticism ‘from certain people’ throughout the season but even the Ginger Pirlo admits that this United side are title contenders despite poor displays.
How do you see this going?
Here are you teams:
Watford: Gomes, Nyom, Cathcart, Capoue, Britos, Anya, Watson, Jurado, Abdi, Ighalo, Deeney.
Subs: Oulare, Paredes, Ake, Guedioura, Ibarbo, Diamanti, Arlauskis.
Manchester United: De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Blind, Young, Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Mata, Ander Herrera, Lingard, Depay.
Subs: Rojo, Romero, McNair, Darmian, Rashford, Andreas Pereira, Goss.
La Marseillaise will be played before each Premier League game today and van Gaal has been asked about the effect the Paris attacks have had on some of his players.
“Paris was a tragic event, and we spoke about that,” he told BT Sport. “Can you play or not? Can you focus or not? Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger said they could focus, so that was that. I don’t have many options this weekend, so it is not easy for me. It is difficult.”
The Guardian today had a great interview with Hornets boss and Hugh Lawrire lookalike Quique Sanchez Flores, which is worth a read.
He’s just been speaking to Des Kelly — not that one — pitchside at Vicarage Road:
“We have been training together for four months, and are on the right road. I have made a change today because sometimes players come in tired after the international break. I respect Louis van Gaal so they are gong to be very tough. We will have to be at our best to win today.”
Ian Wright, style icon:
We’ve just had a rousing rendition of the French anthem in memory of those who died in Paris and, as Jake Humphreys suggested, in defiance.
Now for the football.
And we’re off with Glenn Hoddle and Michael Owen exchanging memories of playing at Vicarage Road.
The former Spurs man scored this:
While Mockey Owen was knocked out the one time he played here, he says. We’re not saying his co-commentary is so bad we he lost consciousness again but…
United have started brightly. Schweini won the ball in midfield and fed Memphis. His cross was poorly hacked at by Nyom and it looped over his own keeper and behind for a corner. Nervy.
One commenter, COYBIG, below the line describes United’s bench as ‘woeful’. It’s certainly the least experienced one in a long time, isn’t it?
Rojo, Romero, McNair, Darmian, Rashford, Andreas Pereira, Goss.
Whoops!
We couldn't find this Tweet
GOAL! Watford 0 Man Utd 1
Memhis Depay finishes brilliantly with a cushioned volley after a first-time cross in from the right. That’s the reply van Gaal wanted from his under-pressure big signing.
Watford get their first real sight on goal! Ashley Young is robbed of possession on the halfway line by Troy Deaney and he breaks with Odion Ighalo for a two on two.
Ighalo twists and turns and then shoots high past David de Gea.
Ander Herrera is down injured which is worrying for United fans and LVG in front of that weak bench. Looks like a hammy.
Marcos Rojo will be introduced and they’ll shuffle the deck.
So that injury has forced LVG to completely change United’s shape; they’ve gone three at the back.
Troy Deeney has reportedly his invited former cell-mates to Vicarage Road for this match and he’s putting himself about in a bid to make an impression it seems.
The striker — who could play for Ireland, I think — hooked one ball off the line more or less, denying United a second goal and then was very lucky to escape a yellow for a studdsy tackle on Rojo.
Watford have really grown into the game since that Herrera injury and the change of formation for United.
They looked really comfortable but will be glad to get in a goal ahead now.
Half-time: Watford 0 Man Utd 1
And the second half gets underway.
Great save from Gomes! United broke through Memphis; the Dutch winger played in Jesse Lingard and he saw his shot batted away.
That was poor from the hosts in the middle of the park though.
Even the likes of Smalling and Jones are pushing forward now. The latter backed himself for a shot on goal moments on go but a deflection took any sting out of it.
Watford have failed to spark in this second half so far.
What a shot and save! Troy Deaney unleashed a rasper from the edge of the box after a lay-back but the effort is straight at David De Gea. The Spaniard parried it behind to the relief of the United bench. Watford have woken up.
If things had gone differently with a couple of fax machines on Transfer Deadline Day, De Gea could have been preparing for his first El Clasico today of course.
While I was typing Sliding Doors into Google Image searches, United have defended another corner desperately.
It’s gone a bit flat hasn’t it?
Anyone see that Adele-Graham Norton thing last night?
United are quite happy to sit back it seems and have Watford contained.
Couple of changes; Nyom is replaced by Paredes, while an apparently injured Jones is off for Paddy McNair.
What a save! David de Gea stands up with a half-smile on his face as he’s pulled off another excellent stop from close range. Abdi got a shot away, it was deflected and De Gea got back to fingertip it away.
Unlucky, son.
https://vine.co/v/iu3wWEeXg3H
‘He almost hit it too well’ cliched Michael Owen earlier. Troy Deaney did it again, screaming a shot straight down De Gea’s gut. Watford are really knocking on the door here.
That should have been the game for United.
Thanks to a great ball from Daley Blind, Lingard was through on goal with the ball bouncing and the keeper advancing. He just needed to lift it over Gomes but all he could do was knock it into the Brazilian’s hands. That could be costly depending on what happens in the next six or so minutes.
Penalty to Watford!
Marcos Rojo stupidly gave the spotter away.
GOAL! Watford 1 Man Utd 1
Troy Deaney has twice lashed the ball down the middle of the goal today and been frustrated. The third time, De Gea goes to the right and the net billows.
United will not be pleased.
Memphis Depay has impressed Lil’ Micky Owen so much, he’s won BT’s man-of-the-match award.
GOAL! Watford 1 Man Utd 2
What a finish to the game!
Lots of pressure form a couple of corners, a shot is saved by Gomes but it falls to Schweinsteiger who squeezes it in via a touch from, ironically, Deaney.
Daley Blind has a bust nose for his trouble. The Dutchman read that Watford wanted to get a ball in to the box from a throw in and he put his face on the line. Seconds left now.
Full-time! Watford 1 Man Utd 2
Manchester United go top… for a few hours at least.
Van Gaal will surely realise how fortunate he is to get out of Watford with three points. The hosts? This game and result sums up there season so far; plenty of endeavour but ultimately unlucky.
What did you make of it?
