Watford vs Manchester United - as it happened: Jose Mourinho's men hold on for all three points

Re-live all the action from Vicarage Road

Watford vs Manchester United preview

Manchester United will look to build on their win at Burnley when they travel to Vicarage Road to face an in-form Watford side who boast a 100 per cent record this season.

After a nervous start to the season against Leicester, United suffered back-to-back defeats against Brighton and Tottenham to leave them in danger of falling away from the Premier League title battle before it had got going. But a victory last time out has restored optimism that Mourinho is the right man at the helm.

Watford, however, have been the success story that no one expected this season. Four wins from four has the Hornets alongside Liverpool and Chelsea at the top of the table, and if they can pull off another shock this evening, they may start to eye an unlikely run at Europe this season.

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Preview...

Ending a run of two defeats with a 2-0 victory at Turf Moor in their last outing, United have started to rebuild some form after a turbulent few weeks that had put the spotlight very much on manager Jose Mourinho.

The former Chelsea and Real Madrid manager still has the backing of the board, despite rumours suggesting otherwise, and United will hope they can begin to build some momentum with another win.

Standing in their way is a Watford side who have experienced a perfect start to the season with four wins from four, earning manager Javi Gracia the award for Premier League manager of the month.

With a hard fought victory over Tottenham last week, Watford will be looking for another high profile scalp as they aim to beat United for only the second time in 30 years, the last coming in 2016.

Manchester United will hope to hane (EPA)

What time does it start?

Watford vs Manchester United kicks off at 5:30pm BST.

Where can I watch it?

The match will be shown live on BT Sport 1, BT Sport 1 HD and BT Sport 4K UHD from 5:00pm BST. Highlights will be available on Match of the Day on BBC One and BBC One HD at 10:20pm BST.

It’s a big game for…

Paul Pogba: In the headlines once again this week, the spotlight will fall on Paul Pogba to step up and have a big performance against the Hornets at the weekend.

Missing a penalty against Burnley may have added to the managers growing frustration with the French international, but he will be looking for a positive response against a compact Watford side on Friday evening.

The win over Burnley eased the pressure on Mourinho (AFP/Getty) (AFP/Getty Images)

Best stat…

7: Since Javi Gracia’s first home Premier League match in charge of Watford he has won 7 home games – the joint best home record in the league with Liverpool.

Remember when…

Juan Zuniga sweeps in to power Watford ahead 2-1. putting the Hornets on their way to their first victory over Manchester United in 30 years. The score finished 3-1 to Watford with Troy Deeney scoring a penalty in added time to secure an historic result.

Player to watch…

Roberto Pereyra: With 3 goals in his first four games, Pereyra has been at the heart of everything good that the Hornets have done this season. With United still questionable in defence, the Argentine has all the tools to unlock the door for a Watford win in this game.

Past three-meetings…

Manchester United 1 (Rashford) Watford 0, Premier League, May 2018

Watford 2 (Deeney, Doucouré) Manchester United 4 (Young 2, Martial, Lingard), Premier League, November 2017

Manchester United 2 (Mata, Martial) Watford 0, Premier League, February 2017

Premier League form guide:

Watford: WWWW

Manchester United: WLLW

Odds…

Watford to win: 7/2

Manchester United to win: 19/20

Draw: 13/5

(Odds provided by Betfair)

[15 September 2018 16:11 · Jack de Menezes]

Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent's live coverage of today's final Premier League encounter, as Watford host Manchester United at Vicarage Road.

Team news is not far away, so we'll bring you the two line-ups as soon as they're confirmed at 4.30pm to kick-off our full build-up for the match.

[15 September 2018 16:31 · Jack Watson]

​Team news 

[15 September 2018 17:05 · Jack Watson]

Pogba staying put

Paul Pogba cast fresh doubt on his commitment to United last week while on international duty, telling journalists that while he is still under contract in Manchester, “...who knows what will happen in the near future?” But Jose Mourinho insists he has not personally asked him to leave.

[15 September 2018 17:07 · Jack Watson]

Manchester United must be wary of Javi Gracia's carefully laid traps

It was the word rather desperately used in self-defence by Jose Mourinho, in a moment that seemed to fully display just how uncertain things are at Manchester United right now, but it’s being used much more and in a very different way around Watford.

“Respect.”

[15 September 2018 17:08 · Jack Watson]

​Manchester United are in the building 

Jose Mourinho looks like all of us arriving for work on a Monday morning 

[15 September 2018 17:11 · Jack Watson]

Mourinho explains Luke Shaw absence

Jose Mourinho reveals that Luke Shaw could have played this evening after suffering a concussion in England's Uefa Nations League match against Spain a week ago, but wants to keep him fresh for future matches.

"He could from the medical point of view play, but he didn't work with us all week," said the Manchester United manager. "We felt that Luke not playing today was the best thing for the team and then he can come back without any kind of limitation next Wednesday."

[15 September 2018 17:22 · Jack Watson]

What's worse in this picture, Tom Cleverley's lid, that kit, or remembered that this team walked to the title? 

[15 September 2018 17:26 · Jack Watson]

Five minutes

Not long to go until kick off at Vicarage Road so time to begin your weird and wonderful pre-match rituals. I'm making a brew!

[15 September 2018 17:30 · Jack Watson]

We're off!

Manchester United get us underway!

[15 September 2018 17:33 · Jack Watson]

2: Romelu Lukaku gets behind Christian Kabasele, but his touch to bring down Ashley Young's pass invited Ben Foster to claim the ball from him. Lukaku with a poor touch, surely not.