Definitely, no rest this week for Manchester United as they host Watford on Sunday. With Spurs losing to Chelsea on Saturday, this match will be vital to keep the pressure on the Blues, while giving United the opportunity to leapfrog Spurs at 41 points in 5th place.
The lineup for the Europa League match this past Thursday was designed to give players a rest for this match, with much of the United firepower on the bench until late in the match. It appears that the United midfield will be bolstered by the probable return of Scott McTominay.
When asked about McTominay’s return Head Coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer commented, “Scott had a rest day today, so let’s see how he is tomorrow.
“I’m not surprised [he’s back so soon] because that’s the type he is. He’s a physical specimen, he’s a leader.
“He never shirks a tackle and he brings everyone with him. He can sit with Nemanja [Matic] and Fred or he could be one of the runners in midfield.”
With McTominay back, the midfield situation looks pretty strong with the possible lineup of Fernandes, Fred, and McTominay.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka should return to the lineup after he was an unused sub in Belgium and will be matched up with Eric Bailly, Harry Maguire and either Luke Shaw or Brandon Williams in the backline.
On Thursday, Anthony Martial was in the striker position but Sunday could be the first United start for newly acquired striker Odion Ighalo who might have a little extra motivation to score considering he played for Watford before he left for China.
Mason Greenwood is rumored to be sick, so he might not be fit enough for Sunday. On his striker situation, Solskjaer said: “Odion is getting more and more minutes, but [whether he starts] depends on Mason as well of course, and how Anthony [Martial] is [after playing on Thursday].”
If Ighalo does start, the logical move would be to move Martial to the wing with Daniel James, who was an unused sub on Thursday.
Watford will be looking for any points they can get from here on out, after finding themselves in the relegation zone again. United haven’t really matched up well with them and the 2-0 loss at Watford in December still stings considering how vital those three points could have been.
United have won all six of their Premier League games against Watford at Old Trafford, scoring 14 goals and conceding just two, but Watford are boosted by the return of Kiko Femenía and Ismaïla Sarr.
Troy Deeney will again lead the line with support from Abdoulaye Doucoure, with former United attacker Danny Welbeck expected to provide an option from the bench.
United possible starting lineup:
DeGea, Shaw, Maguire, Bailly, Wan-Bissaka, McTominay, Fred, Fernandes, Martial, James, Ighalo
Be the first to comment