Manager Jose Mourinho is likely to make a couple of changes in the starting XI when Manchester United take on Watford this weekend.
Manchester United will travel to the Vicarage Road as they gear up to take on Javi Gracia’s Watford FC in matchweek five of the Premier League on Saturday.
Jose Mourinho’s Red Devils bounced back from consecutive defeats against Brighton & Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur, defeating Burnley 2-0 last time out. Currently stationed in the tenth spot in the league table, United will be hoping to move up the ladder with another win this weekend.
Manchester United will go into the game without the services of forward Marcus Rashford. The England international is suspended for three games, after being sent off against Burnley. Phil Jones also remains sidelined for the Mancunians, while the manager also confirmed defenders Diogo Dalot and Marcos Rojo will be involved with the U23s.
“Diogo Dalot and Marcos Rojo will play tonight with the Under-23s and, if they play the 90 minutes like we expect, then it will be the end of their recovering process and we will consider them ready to be back next week for full competition,” Jose said in his pre-match press conference.
The duo played for the Under-23s as United drew 1-1 with Reading, with Dalot playing the entire 90 minutes.
David De Gea is set to start between the sticks for the visitors on Saturday. Chris Smalling and Victor Lindelof are expected to start in the centre of the backline after managing a shut out against Burnley. Captain Antonio Valencia should start at right-back, but Luke Shaw could sit this one out after having returned from international duty with a concussion.
Speaking of the left-back, Jose said,”I don’t know. We still have a training session. Contrary to some news and opinions, from the protocol point of view and according to our doctor, he will be free to play. The only situation I have to analyse is if we are going to play him when, during the week, he wasn’t training with the team. Or even if he had been training, if we decide to play him.”
With the manager expressing some degree of doubts over the Englishman’s situation, Ashley Young is likely to replace him in the starting line-up.
United have a couple of injuries to contend with in the middle of the park, as Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini are doubtful to be involved on Saturday.
“Fellaini is a doubt. Ander Herrera is a doubt – he had one little problem in one ankle in training during the week, so he’s a doubt,” the manager told the reporters.
Summer signing Fred could come into the starting XI in place of the injured Fellaini, with Nemanja Matic and Paul Pogba expected to complete the three-man midfield for the Red Devils.
Alexis Sanchez, who has an impressive record against the Hornets, should start out on the left-flank, with Jesse Lingard expected to hold on to his spot on the opposite flank for the trip to Vicarage Road. Spearheading the attack for Manchester United will be star striker Romelu Lukaku, who scored both the goals against Burnley and was in fine form during the international break.
