Ighalo: Watford will push for victory against Manchester United

United won 2-1 when they last met in the league at Vicarage Road with Ryan Gigg’s, the current United assistant manager, scoring what proved to be the victor in the 52nd minute.

Anthony Martial has also proven a handful for teams this season since his blockbuster switch from Monaco and, if fit, he has more than enough to trouble a Hornets defence which has averaged a goal against in every game during 12 Premier League matches so far.

United are the favourites to the claim the three points against the newly-promoted side – but former Arsenal star Merson feels that Watford are capable of holding Louis van Gaal’s men to a draw. They visit Watford with the best defensive record in the Premier League.

It would be fair to say that United’s key players are still trying to find top form at the same time, but with the chance to pile the pressure on their rivals by moving top with a win in today’s early kickoff, the picture could look very different at the end of the weekend.

The Red Devils have lost just one of their last eight Premier League games (W5 D2).

The Hornets have kept three clean sheets in their last five home games, drawing 0-0 with Southampton and beating Swansea and West Ham United. He needs one more goal to become United’s outright second goalscorer in all competitions.

If recent history is anything to go by then we should see plenty of goals here: in the previous three Premier League seasons this has been the only fixture to have seen both teams score in all six matches.

Carrick was carried off on a stretcher in England’s 2-0 defeat to Spain with an ankle injury and Martial limped out of Wembley on crutches following France’s loss to Roy Hodgson’s side on Tuesday.

A return to prison is not going to happen.

Antonio Valencia is facing a spell on the sidelines following surgery so he joins Luke Shaw on the long-term injury list.

Watford midfielder Jose Manuel Jurado is doubtful due to a hamstring injury he suffered at the start of October, while Swedish defender Joel Ekstrand is yet to feature this season as he recovers from a cruciate ligament injury. The Dutchman will want to extend the feat when United face Watford.