Buoyant Watford awaits Mourinho's men

A trip to Watford is likely to prove an unexpectedly stern test of Manchester United's Premier League title credentials.

Jose Mourinho's men face a trip to Watford that is considered more daunting than it perhaps has been in previous years.

Manchester United's hopes of catching neighbour Manchester City in the Premier League title race may well rest on whether it is able to overcome an in-form Watford side at Vicarage Road on Tuesday.

United is eight points behind City despite its unconvincing 1-0 win over Brighton and Hove Albion on Saturday.

Now Jose Mourinho's men face a trip to Watford that is considered more daunting than it perhaps has been in previous years.

Watford made light work of Newcastle United at St James' Park at the weekend, its comfortable 3-0 win marking its sixth of the season.

 

Eighth in the table, Watford's rise under Marco Silva has seen the Portuguese become a target for struggling Everton, and his reputation will only be enhanced if it can deal United a significant blow.

FORM GUIDE

United suffered a slip-up in the Champions League against Basel last week and, though for the most part its Premier League form has been impressive, recent results on the road should give Watford reason for hope.

The defeat in Switzerland made it three away defeats in four for United, whose last two Premier League trips have seen it lose to Huddersfield Town and Chelsea.

You have to go back to September for United's last away Premier League win, and Watford's recent victories over West Ham and Newcastle suggest taking maximum points from Vicarage Road will be no easy task for Mourinho.

Watford has lost twice at home in the league this season, Manchester City beating it 6-0 and Stoke City inflicting a 1-0 defeat.

However, with Arsenal beaten at Watford last month and Liverpool held on the opening weekend , United will know it can take little for granted going into this contest.