Watford vs Manchester United preview: Louis van Gaal needs a striker

A look ahead to the Premier League game at Vicarage Road

Joe Ball
Friday 20 November 2015 08:30 EST
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Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal (Getty Images)

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It’s a big game for…

Louis van Gaal: With Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial injured, James Wilson not ready and Javier Hernandez out on loan, the Dutch coach must find a solution to his striker crisis.

Best Stat…

29: Watford haven’t beaten this Saturday’s opponents in a competitive fixture for 29 years. It was a 1-0 win back in 1986. Quique Flores will be hoping his side can change that stat this weekend.

Remember when…

The sides last met at Vicarage Road? That was nine years ago when Watford returned to the Premier League but goals from Mikael Silvestre and Ryan Giggs were enough for the visitors.

Player to watch…

Odion Ighalo: The Nigerian is joint second in the Premier League scoring charts this season with seven goals to his name, only Leicester City’s Jamie Vardy has more (12). If Watford are to get anything from this game against a tight United defence, they’ll be looking to Ighalo to add to his tally.

Past three meetings…

Watford 1 (Bouazza) Manchester United 4 (Rooney 2, Ronaldo, Richardson)

FA Cup April 2007

Manchester United 4 (Ronaldo, Doyley og, Larsson, Rooney) Watford 0

Premier League January 2007

Watford 1 (Francis) Manchester United 2 (Silvestre, Giggs)

Premier League August 2006

Form Guide…

Watford: LDLWWL

Manchester United: DDLDWW

Vital Information…

Kick off: November 21st, 12.45pm

TV: Live on BT Sport 1, highlights, BBC1 10.20pm

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