Manchester United vs Watford 30/03/19

30 March 2019

Manchester United take on Watford at Old Trafford looking to overcome a frustrating period before the international break that has seen them suffer back-to-back defeats across two domestic competitions.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will direct his players from the touchline as the permanent manager for the first time as he looks to post his 15th triumph in his 20th competitive game in charge. But, the Red Devils have slowed down a bit, especially at home, clinching barely two victories in their last five competitive clashes at Old Trafford (W2, D2, L1). Interestingly, the 3-time Champions League winners have conceded over 1.5 goals per match three times in that period while failing to find the back of the net twice. But, Man Utd have secured five consecutive wins in H2Hs with Watford at this venue, scoring 12 goals while allowing just one in the process. Having rediscovered their ‘killer instinct’ in the final third, Manchester United had scored exactly three goals per match in all three of their previous triumphs across the competitions.

On the other hand, the visitors’ chances of securing the Europa League qualifications are very much alive considering they sit 8th in the table with a one-point deficit to 7th-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers. Watford’s main problem is closely related to their poor displays away from home which have seen them lose three of their previous five PL road trips (W1, D1, L3). All three of those failures have seen the Hornets allowed 2+ match goals. However, Javi Gracia’s men have scored over 1.5 goals per match in all five of their PL away victories. It will be a daunting prospect for Watford to pick up all three points here as they’ve lost all four of their previous H2H meetings with Manchester United by a -6 goal difference (S3, C9).