Match Pack: Manchester United v Watford

• Manchester United v Watford
• Old Trafford
• Premier League
• Saturday February 26, 3pm GMT

• Referee: Kevin Friend
• Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Beck
• Fourth official: Dean Whitestone
• VAR: Lee Mason
• Assistant VAR: Timothy Wood

Appointing Ralf Rangnick as Ole Gunnar Solskjær's replacement following Watford's November win over Manchester United, the Red Devils have enjoyed an upturn in form and are fighting for the top four in the Premier League. Saturday's hosts are fourth in the table and in the Champions League round of 16, losing just once in the top-flight since their trip to Vicarage Road and avoiding defeat in their last five games.

• Watford have won three of their last six games against Manchester United.

• Watford are looking to complete their first-ever league double over Manchester United; they’ve won two of their last three against the Red Devils in the league, having won just one of their previous 15 before this.

• The Red Devils have never lost a home league game against Watford (W11 D2).

• The team scoring first has gone on to win each of the last 13 Premier League meetings between United and the Golden Boys, since the Red Devils came from behind to win 3-2 in April 2000.

For a full statistical breakdown check out Stats Buzz: Manchester United In Numbers.

João Pedro and Juraj Kucka are back in contention for this weekend's fixture.

Both players have been absent for the last two fixtures due to calf and abdominal muscle injuries respectively, but have been involved in training.

Joshua King has been training too despite his withdrawal due to a knock against Crystal Palace on Wednesday, and there are no fresh injury concerns in Roy Hodgson’s squad.

Peter Etebo (quad) played 45 minutes for the Under-23s at Ipswich Town on Monday, while Kwadwo Baah (foot) also played an hour in that game.

Nicolas Nkoulou (hamstring) is progressing well with his work away from the team and remains on track to re-join the group next month.

In the Manchester United camp, Scott McTominay will miss out due to illness, with striker Edinson Cavani absent through injury.

Roy Hodgson, Watford manager:

“We are confident in preparing the team each week for the games that are coming up, we’re confident that we have a group of players here that understand the gravity of our situation and who don’t want to be relegated from the Premier League. We know that we are going to have to fight if that is not going to happen.

“Every game we play is another potential opportunity to take the points, but the games don’t get easier.”

Ralf Rangnick, Manchester United manager:

“[Watford] have three fast, physical strikers, always looking for the transitional moments, playing pretty direct. So this is their biggest threat and we have to be aware of that, we have to avoid any transitional moments for them and be stable in defence and at the same time create as many chances as we possibly can with our own offensive department.”

Overall:

• Won: 7
  
• Drawn: 5
  
• Lost: 24
  

Last Six:
November 2021: Watford 4-1 Manchester United (Premier League)
January 2021: Manchester United 1-0 Watford (FA Cup)
February 2020: Manchester United 3-0 Watford (Premier League)
December 2019: Watford 2-0 Manchester United (Premier League)
March 2019: Manchester United 2-1 Watford (Premier League)
September 2018: Watford 2-1 Manchester United (Premier League)

Watford's only win at Old Trafford came in 1978 when two second-half goals from Luther Blissett sent Manchester United crashing out of the League Cup.