United v Watford (Wed 31/01/07 - 20.00)

[Busby Boy]

Following the defeat to Arsenal, United must win this game against a Watford side who have won their last two games but will be without their player of the season so far, Ben Foster.

With Chelsea facing Blackburn there is every chance of United extending their lead with a win and we must go into this game without underestimating our opponents.

Fergie has confirmed Saha and Ronaldo will return for the Reds.

Adam's XI

Van Der Sar

Neville - Ferdinand - Vidic - Evra

Ronaldo - Fletcher - Carrick - Park

Rooney - Saha

Subs: Kuszczak, Brown, Giggs, Scholes, Larsson

With Tottenham away coming up after Watford, I think it'd be an ideal time to rest Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. Of course, it's up to Fergie but I think it'd be a safe move considering the form of the side and the return of Ronaldo and Saha as well as Rooney's form.

Prediction:

I expect a comfortable United victory with Watford losing their number one keeper and recently selling young forward Ashley Young they will be without their best two players so far this season.

Ronaldo and Saha will be fresh and raring to go and Rooney will want to continue his scoring form of three goals in his last two appearances for the Reds.

3-0 UNITED: Rooney, Ronaldo and Saha

[Manc Fever]

I think Scholes will play , I think neither carrick nor fletcher could sufficiently dictate play in the midfield ... even though we are playing vs Watford. I remember the sunderland game at home last season and dread having to watch us wasting many chances.
But with ronaldo blazing and rooney starting to climb up the form ladder again we should beat them quite easily .
I agree with that Watford don't have their two best players and tthat will have a serious impact.

4-0 : Saha(2) Rooney , Ronaldo

[Red Yank]

Not having Foster will be a big loss to the Watford defense, but I think that will keep them pressing us as long as their stamina can endure. I can see Giggsy being rested but I think we will see Scholes for this one. 2-0 United.

[redom]

Well on paper it should be an easy 3 points, let's hope we don't mess up. I wouldn't be surprised to see a couple rested but I think Scholesy will play too. I'll go 2-0 united, I would like a clean sheet in this one.

[Tatty]

Anyone know if this is on general sale?

Moving on. Anything other than a win is unaccpetable.

[missunited]

Not having Foster available is going to be a big loss for Watford, he has singelhandidly kept them in matches this season, and hopefully him not being available should make it an easier day at the office. That said, you can't underestimate anyone, and I would expect a strong line up. Maybe Rooney will start on the bench again, Giggs might be given a rest... Witch Scholes already being on four yellow cards, he might be given a rest to avoid suspension, but there's no point in thinking like that is there, as he might not get booked.

I wouldn't surprised if Evra was given a rest either.

[andoverred]

Let's not underestimate Watford; we all remember Sunderland last year

On paper, I would plump for a comfortable 4-0 win with a hat-trick from the Neviller However, fantasy football is a wonderful thing, so i'll go with 2-0 to United with Saha and Ronaldo getting the goals.

N.B Looking forward to watching Spurs v Man U in glorious HD next Sunday. Let's hope I don't have to throw the remote at the fireplace again

[Carlito's Way]

Isn't Saha out with a knee injury? Not to piss on everyone's parade...

[Sky Sports 1]

mufcadz said:

Following the defeat to Arsenal, United must win this game against a Watford side who have won their last two games but will be without their player of the season so far, Ben Foster.

With Chelsea facing Blackburn there is every chance of United extending their lead with a win and we must go into this game without underestimating our opponents.

Fergie has confirmed Saha and Ronaldo will return for the Reds.

Adam's XI

Van Der Sar

Neville - Ferdinand - Vidic - Evra

Ronaldo - Fletcher - Carrick - Park

Rooney - Saha

Subs: Kuszczak, Brown, Giggs, Scholes, Larsson

With Tottenham away coming up after Watford, I think it'd be an ideal time to rest Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes. Of course, it's up to Fergie but I think it'd be a safe move considering the form of the side and the return of Ronaldo and Saha as well as Rooney's form.

Prediction:

I expect a comfortable United victory with Watford losing their number one keeper and recently selling young forward Ashley Young they will be without their best two players so far this season.

Ronaldo and Saha will be fresh and raring to go and Rooney will want to continue his scoring form of three goals in his last two appearances for the Reds.

3-0 UNITED: Rooney, Ronaldo and Saha

I think Evra will be rested for Heinze, hope Giggs is still in there because he was absolutely flying against Pourtsmouth, although Manchester Evening News game him 5/10 :/ must have been watching a different game. He needs to maintain his form and if he can replicate his last performance against Watford, we'll be fine.

Would like to see Fletcher play in central mid instead of Scholes, this game was built for Fletcher, United will have to fight to win it, Fletcher had a good game against Watford last time as well.

This could be the ideal time to rest Rooney, Spurs coming up soon and he looks like he's regained a little form, keep him on the bench maybe and unleash him on Sunday against Spurs.

Would like Alan Smith to appear from wherever he's been lately at least on the bench, it's getting silly now the amount of time he's been getting fit for, it doesn't take this long.

[missunited]

marrymeheinze said:

Isn't Saha out with a knee injury? Not to piss on everyone's parade...

Ronaldo and Saha back to fire United

LONDON, Jan 29 (Reuters) - Manchester United are ready to unleash goal-happy Cristiano Ronaldo and Louis Saha when the Premier League leaders take on bottom club Watford on Wednesday.
Last weekend's FA Cup ties mean a midweek programme for the top-flight clubs, plus a League Cup semi-final, second leg between north London enemies Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur.
United, with a six-point lead over champions Chelsea, are taking no chances with a Watford side who already look set for a quick return to the second division.
Ronaldo, given a week off to spend in Dubai by manager Alex Ferguson, and Saha, who had a bruised knee, will both be back after missing Saturday's 2-1 FA Cup win over Portsmouth.
Ronaldo has been on sparkling form, scoring seven times in his last seven outings, with the Portuguese winger and the French striker scoring 25 goals between them this season.
Watford could also face Wayne Rooney after the England striker came off the bench to score both goals, including a stunning 20-metre chip shot against Pompey.
Ferguson had planned to rest him but is now re-considering in the hope that Rooney, who also scored in the previous weekend's 2-1 defeat by Arsenal, is on a hot streak.
"If he can get into the scoring form which he did last season and get on a run of scoring single goals, I tell you, he'll make some difference to our team," Ferguson told MUTV.

[Jack Bartrem]

I hope we play full strength and put our usual boys on...

4-0 would be lovely please! Rooney with all 4 - free kick, header, volley and a back heel

But like I've said all season, a 1 nil will do. Let's just get the three points and get closer to the end!

[sahahahaha]

I'd rest Scholes and Evra, wanna see Smith aswell, his United future seems really unsure at the moment.

[Tatty]

I want Dong to penetrate the defence!

[Red Yank]

tatty said:

I want Dong to penetrate the defence!

just make sure he has protection.

[tomo]

This is a game we should definetly be winning. I expect Rooney to start up front with Saha. Fergie has also said that Ronnie will be back in the squad, although I expect him to rest a couple of players, like Scholes and Giggs. Wes Brown will play I think, and I think VDS will return in goal

Prediction: 3-0 United.