MANCHESTER UNITED VS WATFORD: TEAM NEWS & PREVIEW
It's the start of a new era for Manchester United as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer takes charge for the first time since being appointed permanent manager
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer begins his tenure as permanent Manchester United boss against FA Cup semi-finalists Watford at Old Trafford looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat in all competitions.
Solskjaer was confirmed as permanent boss on Thursday, signing a three-year deal following an impressive three-month spell in interim charge.
The Norwegian has lost just one of his 13 Premier League games in charge to revive the club’s challenge for a top-four place.
He has also overseen a dramatic comeback in the Champions League, where the Red Devils overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit to beat Paris Saint-Germain and progress through to the quarter-finals.
However, they were beaten by Arsenal in their last Premier League encounter before losing to Wolves in the FA Cup a fortnight ago.
They take on a Watford side full of confidence after they beat Crystal Palace last time out to secure a place in the FA Cup semi-finals for just the sixth time in their history.
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To WatchWatch
In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).
New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.
In the United Kingdom (UK), the game will not be broadcast due to the 3:00pm blackout law.
Squads & Team News
Solskjaer has confirmed Alexis Sanchez, Matteo Darmian and Antonio Valencia will definitely miss out through injury while a number of other players are doubtful.
Forwards Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are to be assessed after they missed their respective country's international matches last weekend through injury. Luke Shaw will also be monitored after he withdrew from the England squad while Eric Bailly is a doubt after suffering a head injury playing for Ivory Coast.
Ashley Young is available to feature against his former club after suspension. David De Gea is likely to return in goal after sitting out the FA Cup defeat to Wolves.
Potential Man Utd starting XI: De Gea; Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw; Pogba, Matic, Lingard; Mata, Rashford, Lukaku.
Jose Holebas is fit to start for Watford after recovering from an injury that forced him off against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup quarter-final a fortnight ago.
Tom Cleverley is absent with a thigh injury but Domingos Quina and Nathaniel Chalobah are in contention.
Potential Watford starting XI: Foster, Femenia, Mariappa, Cathcart, Holebas, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes, Pereyra, Deeney, Deulofeu.
Betting & Match Odds
Manchester United are heavy 4/9 favourites to win this match with bet365. Watford can be backed at 7/1, while the draw is priced at 15/4.
Match Preview
Solskjaer described his permanent appointment as United boss as the "ultimate dream”, but has urged focus as they look to secure a top-four finish.
The Red Devils are just two points outside the top four but go into Saturday’s game on the back of two defeats, the first real blip of Solskjaer’s tenure.
As a result the Norwegian has warned his side against complacency despite their recent revival.
"We are looking forward, we have got to work harder," he said.
“I want a United team that’s one of the hardest working and fittest teams in the league, I think the players know my expectations.
"Now the players know I am here for longer than expected. Players that get complacent never last at this club."
Meanwhile, Watford boss Javi Gracia says his players must not be distracted by the FA Cup with league games against United and Fulham to come before their trip to Wembley next weekend.
Alongside their cup heroics, the Hornets are also currently on course for their highest league finish since 1987 as they compete with the likes of Wolves and Leicester for seventh place.
Gracia says he plans to utilise his squad this week but insists he is not looking further than Saturday's game at Old Trafford.
“We have a good squad," said the Spaniard. “I can take different decisions and I try to choose the best option.
“We know to play against United will be very tough. We need to focus on that game. We have time to recover after the Fulham game and prepare for the semi-final. The most important game is the United one.”
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer begins his tenure as permanent Manchester United boss against FA Cup semi-finalists Watford at Old Trafford looking to avoid a third consecutive defeat in all competitions.
Solskjaer was confirmed as permanent boss on Thursday, signing a three-year deal following an impressive three-month spell in interim charge.
The Norwegian has lost just one of his 13 Premier League games in charge to revive the club’s challenge for a top-four place.
He has also overseen a dramatic comeback in the Champions League, where the Red Devils overturned a 2-0 first-leg deficit to beat Paris Saint-Germain and progress through to the quarter-finals.
However, they were beaten by Arsenal in their last Premier League encounter before losing to Wolves in the FA Cup a fortnight ago.
They take on a Watford side full of confidence after they beat Crystal Palace last time out to secure a place in the FA Cup semi-finals for just the sixth time in their history.
TV Channel, Live Stream & How To WatchWatch
In the United States (US), the game can be watched live and on-demand with fuboTV (7-day free trial).
New users can sign up for a free seven-day trial of the live sports streaming service, which can be accessed via iOS, Android, Chromecast, Amazon Fire TV, Roku and Apple TV as well as on a web browser.
In the United Kingdom (UK), the game will not be broadcast due to the 3:00pm blackout law.
Squads & Team News
Solskjaer has confirmed Alexis Sanchez, Matteo Darmian and Antonio Valencia will definitely miss out through injury while a number of other players are doubtful.
Forwards Romelu Lukaku, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial are to be assessed after they missed their respective country's international matches last weekend through injury. Luke Shaw will also be monitored after he withdrew from the England squad while Eric Bailly is a doubt after suffering a head injury playing for Ivory Coast.
Ashley Young is available to feature against his former club after suspension. David De Gea is likely to return in goal after sitting out the FA Cup defeat to Wolves.
Potential Man Utd starting XI: De Gea; Young, Smalling, Lindelof, Shaw; Pogba, Matic, Lingard; Mata, Rashford, Lukaku.
Jose Holebas is fit to start for Watford after recovering from an injury that forced him off against Crystal Palace in the FA Cup quarter-final a fortnight ago.
Tom Cleverley is absent with a thigh injury but Domingos Quina and Nathaniel Chalobah are in contention.
Potential Watford starting XI: Foster, Femenia, Mariappa, Cathcart, Holebas, Doucoure, Capoue, Hughes, Pereyra, Deeney, Deulofeu.
Betting & Match Odds
Manchester United are heavy 4/9 favourites to win this match with bet365. Watford can be backed at 7/1, while the draw is priced at 15/4.
Match Preview
Solskjaer described his permanent appointment as United boss as the "ultimate dream”, but has urged focus as they look to secure a top-four finish.
The Red Devils are just two points outside the top four but go into Saturday’s game on the back of two defeats, the first real blip of Solskjaer’s tenure.
As a result the Norwegian has warned his side against complacency despite their recent revival.
"We are looking forward, we have got to work harder," he said.
“I want a United team that’s one of the hardest working and fittest teams in the league, I think the players know my expectations.
"Now the players know I am here for longer than expected. Players that get complacent never last at this club."
Meanwhile, Watford boss Javi Gracia says his players must not be distracted by the FA Cup with league games against United and Fulham to come before their trip to Wembley next weekend.
Alongside their cup heroics, the Hornets are also currently on course for their highest league finish since 1987 as they compete with the likes of Wolves and Leicester for seventh place.
Gracia says he plans to utilise his squad this week but insists he is not looking further than Saturday's game at Old Trafford.
“We have a good squad," said the Spaniard. “I can take different decisions and I try to choose the best option.
“We know to play against United will be very tough. We need to focus on that game. We have time to recover after the Fulham game and prepare for the semi-final. The most important game is the United one.”
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