Jose Mourinho leads Manchester United into Vicarage Road on Saturday to play unbeaten Watford.
Yes, Watford are unbeaten this season having won 12 points from a possible 12. The Hornets have taken the scalps of Tottenham, Crystal Palace, Burnley, and Brighton this term. Javier Gracia has his team playing good, attractive football. However, Watford’s great start can be criticised due to the level of competition they have played. Other than Tottenham, Watford’s first three opponents are all currently seated 14th or lower in the Premier League table.
Gracia has made Watford an exciting attacking team to watch. Led by attacking midfielder Roberto Pereyra, Watford have scored nine goals in four games. Each match has seen Watford score two or more goals. Pereyra has three of his own, while striker Troy Deeney has registered two. They are not the only dangermen for Gracia as his tactics have allowed full-back Jose Holebas to regularly join the team’s attack. Holebas has tallied four assists and a goal.
Manchester United have already lost twice this term and it is just mid-September. It is near-crisis time at Old Trafford, which is why Mourinho’s team is so dangerous going into Saturday’s match. Despite starting the season with a win, the Red Devils lost in back to back weeks to Brighton and Tottenham. Manchester United did win against a fatigued Burnley in their last match, 2-0. However, the team was criticised for being flat-track bullies. In addition, some claimed Manchester United should have performed better against a bad and tired Burnley side. Regardless, Mourinho picked up three points.
The Red Devils go into the weekend six points behind Watford. Mourinho’s typically solid defence has allowed seven goals and the team has posted a –1-goal difference. Romelu Lukaku has scored three times this season, but two came against Burnley. It increased his reputation for scoring against the league’s lesser teams but not in important matches. Paul Pogba has registered two goals of his own, but both came from penalties. In addition, Pogba was made captain for the club’s first two games of the season, only to have it taken off him for match No. 3.
Watford haven’t beaten Manchester United since 2016, but the win came at Vicarage Road. The Red Devils have won their last three matches against Watford, including a 4-2 barnburner last season. Mourinho and Manchester United may be vulnerable right now, and he may leave this season, but that makes them very dangerous. Manchester United will do enough to end Watford’s hot start to the season and pick up all three points.