Manchester United resume their Premier League campaign on Saturday with a fixture that is much more challenging, at least on paper, than most thought it would be initially. There are three teams who have taken all three points from their first four matches of the season and United’s opponents, Watford, are one of them.
Liverpool and Chelsea are the other two teams in this select group, but their inclusion in this group is certainly nowhere near as surprising as the Hornets. The clash in Vicarage Road will be a classic matchup of two teams with opposite sentiments about their results thus far.
Watford was not expected to be in third place at this juncture, so they have to be absolutely loving how their season has gone thus far. Last week they knocked off Tottenham Hotspur, a team that finished in the top three the past three seasons.
United, last year’s runners-up to Manchester City, were expected to challenge for the title, but they are only mid table right now. Without further ado, let’s take a look at who United manager Jose Mourinho could select in his first team for this one.
The Sports Bank Starting XI Prediction
Forwards: Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku, Jesse Lingard
Midfielders: Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Fred
Defenders: Ashley Young, Victor Lindelof, Chris Smalling, Antonio Valencia
Goalkeeper: David de Gea
United vs Watford Injury Report/Match Preview: coming soon
The only change here is Ashley Young in for Luke Shaw, who is dealing with concussion protocol. There are reports he could be ready in time for this one, as he seems to be progressing well from the head injury he suffered on international break, but we’re guessing he won’t be risked.
Kick-off: 5:30 pm (BST), Saturday 15, Sept
Odds via Betway: United 22/23 draw 27/10 watford 7/2
Prediction: United 1, Watford 1
Did United learn something during the international break? Did the time off help them recharge and now their resharpen their focus? As always, feel free to post your own United and/or Hornets starting XI predictions, as well as your best guess as to what the final score will be.
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, is currently a regular contributor to SB Nation, WGN CLTV and Chicago Now.
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