Match Pack: Manchester United v Watford

By: Watford FC Staff

MATCH INFO

  • Manchester United v Watford
  • FA Cup third round
  • Old Trafford (Behind Closed Doors)
  • Saturday January 9, 8pm GMT

OFFICIALS

  • Referee: Andrew Madley
  • Assistants: Simon Beck, Adrian Holmes
  • Fourth Official: Lee Mason
  • VAR: Peter Bankes
  • AVAR: Lee Betts

OPPOSITION

Manchester United are second in the Premier League, with eight wins and two draws from their last 10 games. Bruno Fernandes is top scorer for Ole Gunnar Solskjær's team, having netted 15 goals in all competitions, while Marcus Rashford is one behind on 14.

KEY STATS

  • The Hornets have met the Red Devils six times in the FA Cup, winning once in January 1982 (D1, L4)
  • Watford's only victory at Old Trafford against Manchester United came in the League Cup in 1978, with a Luther Blissett brace securing the win
  • Manchester United have won the FA Cup 12 times in their history, only Arsenal (14) have lifted the trophy more

TEAM NEWS

Watford FC is pleased to report no positives from this week’s latest round of COVID-19 testing. João Pedro and Craig Cathcart have returned to full training following hamstring injuries. Domingos Quina, Isaac Success, Stipe Perica and Tom Dele-Bashiru all remain sidelined. James Garner is ineligible for this match against his parent club. See HERE for more information.

PRE-MATCH THOUGHTS

Xisco Muñoz, Watford Head Coach:

“Everyone knows it’s a special competition, I’m very happy to be here and try to get us one step further because it’s very important.

“We know it’s difficult, but we will give our maximum in the next game and we will try to get to the next step of the competition.

“The most important thing is we go there and fight like animals and enjoy the situation.”

HEAD-TO-HEAD

Overall:

  • Won 6, Drawn 5, Lost 23

Last Six:

  • Feb 2020: Man Utd 3-0 Watford (Premier League)
  • Dec 2019: Watford 2-0 Man Utd (Premier League)
  • Mar 2019: Man Utd 2-1 Watford (Premier League)
  • Sep 2018: Watford 1-2 Man Utd (Premier League)
  • May 2018: Man Utd 1-0 Watford (Premier League)
  • Nov 2017: Watford 2-4 Man Utd (Premier League)

GOLDEN GAME

Watford's first ever victory against Manchester United – and their only triumph at Old Trafford – came in the League Cup in 1978 before the two teams had ever met in league competition. A Luther Blissett double earned third division Watford the shock victory against the top-flight Red Devils in the third round, and Graham Taylor's Golden Boys would go on to reach the semi-finals before Nottingham Forest finally ended the incredible cup run.

Hive Live: Manchester United v Watford

The Hornets visit Old Trafford on Saturday and Hive Live has free-to-view build-up from 7.30pm ahead of the 8pm GMT kick-off. Secure your audio pass to listen to the game HERE.

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