Watford 1-2 Manchester United

1. Watford: Gomes; Nyom, Cathcart, Britos, Anya; Capoue, Watson; Abdi, Jurado, Deeney; Ighalo
2. Man United: De Gea; Young, Jones, Smalling, Blind; Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger; Mata, Herrera, Lingard; Depay

Goodbye

That's it. United get the win. A great advert for the Premier League.

Head over here for all the reaction.

David Pleat

Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"This is why football can be so exciting. Manchester United really felt hurt about the penalty and pushed so many bodies forward in search of a winner. 

"The Watford fans went from jubilation to frustration in a matter of minutes. But United have done well - especially considering they were missing regulars and then had to adjust for more injuries during the game."

FULL-TIME

What a thriller. Manchester United score late on to beat Watford and move top of the table.

Own goal?

Opta

This replay shows Bastian Schweinsteiger applying the finish, but fails to highlight the unfortunate Troy Deeney's contribution. Without him diverting the ball over the line, the shot looked to be going wide.

Odion Ighalo forces David De Gea into a save with a spectacular shot from inside the box. Can United hold on?

Get Involved

James Foster: SCORED IN FERGIE TIME!

Get in touch via #bbcfootball or you can text us on from the UK on 81111 - but don't forget to include your name.

David Pleat

Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"Ah, football - what a game! Incredible! It was Troy Deeney trying to keep Bastian Schweinsteiger's ball out on the line. It's got to be a Deeney own goal - there was no way the German's effort was going to go in."

GOAL - Watford 1-2 Man Utd

WOW! A WINNER FOR THE VISITORS!!

Watford fail to clear the ball and Jesse Lingard's ball across the box finds Bastian Schweinsteiger, who shoots and the unlucky Troy Deeney attempts to hook the ball clear but only manages to bundle into his own net.

Harsh for the home side, the visitors go wild.

Reuters

Get Involved

Uchenna: Manchester United absolutely deserve the frustration they're facing right now. Wake up!

Get in touch via #bbcfootball or you can text us on from the UK on 81111 - but don't forget to include your name.

CLOSE!

Chris Smalling with an acrobatic effort from a corner which Heurelho Gomes pushes away.

Manchester United will be ruing all those missed chances. Watford have deserved to get something out of this game on their second half showing.

David Pleat

Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"A great hero here, Troy Deeney puts the penalty away in emphatic spell. It's as though Watford have finally awoken from the slumbers of the first half.

"There was a little bit of holding, it was Marcos Rojo on Odion Igahlo, with his back to goal, and United might get in trouble for surrounding the referee in protest."

Reuters

GOAL - Watford 1-1 Man Utd

Smashed home by the Watford skipper! A deserved equaliser for the home side, whose fans go delirious.

Reuters

PENALTY TO WATFORD

Odion Ighalo brought down by Marcos Rojo and the referee points to the spots.

David Pleat

Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"A great opportunity to get that decisive second goal. It looked so simple but Jesse Lingard puts the ball straight into the grateful arms of the goalkeeper."

CLOSE!

A big chance to wrap it up. Jesse Lingard is played through and is one-on-one with Heurelho Gomes, but fails to get enough loft on a bouncing ball and ends up popping an easy effort back to the Watford goalkeeper.

Get Involved

Ahmet: Without De Gea Manchester United would be where Chelsea are - in a relegation scrap.

David Broome: Not often a reaction save looks even better in slo-mo - De Gea world class. 

Get in touch via #bbcfootball or you can text us on from the UK on 81111 - but don't forget to include your name.

Ashley Young is OK to continue. Time running out for Watford. Manchester United going top.

Play halted briefly as former Watford man Ashley Young signals for the physio. It looks like a facial injury for the Englishman. 

Into the last 10 minutes of this exciting encounter. Is there another goal in it?

SUBSTITUTION

Youngster Jesse Lingard brought on, Juan Mata taken off, who makes his way slowly off the pitch. That's eaten up a few more seconds.

Watford upping the ante now. They applied plenty of pressure in this second half but no goals to show for it. Can they find a breakthrough? It will be well-deserved it they do.

Reuters

David Pleat

Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"A real chance. Troy Deeney just had to strike the ball either side of David de Gea but it was sent straight into his midriff. He didn't have to move to stop it. 

"It's as though Watford have woken up too late - but is there maybe still time?"

CLOSE!

Watford just can't get back David De Gea. Odion Ighalo causes the Manchester United problems with his bulky frame, putting himself about in the box. The ball falls for Troy Deeney on the edge of the box, but his drive is straight down the throat of De Gea, who takes the ball at first slip.

Reuters

YELLOW CARD

Ashley Young goes into the book after taking one for the team by bringing down Juan Carlos Paredes who was threatening to break clear.

Get Involved

bluerghhh: So much hate thrown United's way just for winning again. Chelsea did it every match last season. This is how you have to play! 

Get in touch via #bbcfootball or you can text us on from the UK on 81111 - but don't forget to include your name.

David Pleat

Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"David de Gea. Brilliant stop. This is as good a spell as Watford have had in the game."

GREAT SAVE!

What a save!

United fail to clear the ball and it bobbles around the box, eventually falling to Almen Abdi inside the area, whose shot nicks off Chris Smalling and is heading for the bottom corner, but David De Gea leaps low to right to push the ball away. He saw that late and preserves a clean sheet.

A super stop. Maybe a match-winning one. 20 to play.

SUBSTITUTIONS

Right-back Allan Nyom off and Juan Carlos Paredes on for Watford.

For Manchester United, Phil Jones has gone off and Paddy McNair is on at right-back.

YELLOW CARD

Watford midfielder Ben Watson is the first man in the book after cynically bringing down Phil Jones.

Chris Smalling has been imperious at the back for Manchester United again, winning important headers.

At the other end, Memphis Depay dances this way and that before clipping a left-footed shot wide of goal.

Will United be made to pay for these missed chances?

Watford have enjoyed exactly 0% joy against Manchester United in my lifetime.

The visitors look like continuing this impressive run today.

BBC

Get Involved

Not sure why so many negatives are always thrown at Manchester United nowadays? Now 10 hours without conceding a goal, caused by a plethora of talented full -backs, one of the best centre-backs this season and one the best goalkeepers, with amazing attacking potential too, with Martial and Memphis.

Steve, Bolton

Get in touch via #bbcfootball or you can text us on from the UK on 81111 - but don't forget to include your name.

Etienne Capoue with some ridiculously good skill deep in his own half to get out of trouble. A flip-flop through the legs of Jesse Lingard, making the Manchester United man look rather silly.

David Pleat

Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"Maybe this spell of Watford pressure will give the home side heart - the question is can they keep the pressure on now? 

"Hornets fans are desperate to see something from Odion Igahlo today. He's been so good so far this season but has been very quiet."

Watford earn a corner and Ben Watson's ball into the box causes some panic for Manchester United, as Odion Ighalo attempts a scissor kick but can't get enough purchase on it. The Red Devils clear. 

The home side are slowly getting back into this game. They've had a couple of sniffs at goal, but haven't found that cutting edge just yet. An hour played.

A foul throw from Watford man Allan Nyom. Poor, poor stuff from a professional footballer.

Get Involved

Jay: United might be boring but this is a phase they had to go through if ever they were to come back from the two disastrous seasons.  

Get in touch via #bbcfootball or you can text us on from the UK on 81111 - but don't forget to include your name.

CLOSE!

First save from David De Gea. Sub Nathan Ake rolls a ball in from the left, Odion Ighalo stretches to ease the ball into the path of Troy Deeney, who smashes a drive which De Gea pushes away. It was at a good height for the Spaniard. 

That's brought the crowd to life. More of that needed from the home side.

Memphis Depay, with some dodgy looking facial hair, growth on the cheeks but no moustache, with a similarly horrible shot which flies way off target. The Dutchman has certainly grabbed his chance in the first team today. He needs to grab a razor soon though.

United looking to put this game to bed. This time defender Phil Jones makes a run forward but his shot is blocked and pops up into the hands of Heurelho Gomes.

Can Watford hold out and nick a goal themselves?

United peppering the opposition with attempts at goal now. This time it's Bastian Schweinsteiger with a drive that sails over the bar. The second goal is coming for the visitors...

David Pleat

Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"A great opportunity for Manchester United to double their lead is lost, but they are straight back into the ascendancy after the break."

CLOSE!

Etienne Capoue's loose pass is picked off by Memphis Depay. The Dutchman lays a pass into the path of Jesse Lingard, whose goalbound shot is saved well by Heurelho Gomes. A top save from the Watford man, but it should have been 2-0.

KICK-OFF

United get us back under way. How will Watford respond in the second half?

SUBSTITUTION

Watford make a change at half-time as central midfielder Nathan Ake comes on for Spaniard Jurado.

'Hornets must do better'

David Pleat

Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"At times Watford have looked almost in awe of Manchester United, who have been in total command right from the word go. 

"Memphis Depay scored a splendid goal to give them a deserved lead, but the home side can do much better and I'm sure their manager will have reminded them of that in the dressing room." 

Who are Rashford and Goss?

Getty Images

Marcus Rashford

Striker Marcus Rashford, 18, and midfielder Sean Goss, 20, are on the bench for United today. But who are they?

The United website describes the teenager Rashford as a striker with a "powerful shot".

Rashford has been with United for several years and helped the side retain youth trophy, the Milk Cup, in 2014.

Goss was signed from Exeter City for an undisclosed fee in the summer of 2012.

The United website says his playing style is similar to that of Michael Carrick's. United fans will be hoping the player enjoys a similar stellar career at Old Trafford.

Will either get a runout in the second half?

Getty Images

Sean Goss

Get Involved

Femi John Ayotebi: Sunday morning football played at lunchtime on Saturday! Boring!

The Public Observer: Man Utd play the same way ALL the time (boring) but are praised when they win and criticised only when they lose.

David Broome: United lucky they are playing a poor Watford - very sloppy in midfield again with Mata and Schneiderlin particularly bad. 

Get in touch via #bbcfootball or you can text us on from the UK on 81111 - but don't forget to include your name.

Louis van Gaal will be happy with that half from his boys. Seeing plenty of the ball and a goal to show for it.

.

David Pleat

Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"Watford are just not asserting themselves, they need to get some rhythm, a few series of passes, but Manchester United are in control. 

"It's not been a vintage performance from the visitors but Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin look more than assured in midfield, as do the two centre-backs behind them." 

HALF-TIME

Memphis Depay's 11th-minute strike the difference at the break.

Ben Watson's corner is poor and easily dealt with. Manchester United can clear the ball without trouble.

Watford earn their first corner in the last minute of the half...

Heurelho Gomes nearly gifts the visitors a goal! His loose kick is pounced upon by goalscorer Memphis Depay, but his ball forward finds Juan Mata in an offside position. They should have made more of that chance.

Quick passing from the visitors sees them in a promising position in the final third, but Ashley Young turns back inside and the momentum is lost. 

Not long to go until half-time, can Watford grab an equaliser before the break? Louis van Gaal's men haven't conceded for six and a half hours of play now. How do you breach that watertight backline?

Get Involved

Cameron Laws: Well this change of formation has killed off our early dominance.

Phillip Baker: I remember that David Platt goal so well (see 27 mins). I had just announced that i thought he was rubbish, when....  

Get in touch via #bbcfootball or you can text us on from the UK on 81111 - but don't forget to include your name.

CLOSE!

Memphis Depay turning it on now, showing why United forked out so much money for him in the summer.

He skips with the ball from the left, before unleashing a low drive that Heurelho Gomes has to get down to to push away. No howler from the Watford goalkeeper this time, he dealt with that one well.

David Pleat

Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"The ball seemed to hold up a little in the wind, sitting nicely for Etienne Capoue to strike it but the Frenchman's effort was wild.

"Watford still haven't tested David de Gea at all so far." 

Allan Nyom working hard deep inside the Untied half and wins the ball back, before whipping in a dangerous delivery that Phil Jones has to head away. 

The ball falls to Etienne Capoue on the edge of the box, but the Frenchman blasts the ball over the bar. It was a chance and he should have done better with no opposition man around him.

United well on top in this game...

Opta

Troy Deeney in a bit of trouble with the referee as he loses the ball before jumping in to a tackle on Marcos Rojo. Nothing much in it, he grazes the Argentine with a trailing leg. Referee Robert Madley just has a word with the Watford skipper.

CLOSE!

Ashley Young earns a corner...

...which is whipped in by Juan Mata. Bastian Schweinsteiger flicks it on at the front post, but Morgan Schneiderlin can't quite reach it at the far. Almost got to him. An open net if he was able to collect it.

Watford captain Troy Deeney working hard to chase down a loose ball, he thinks he's earned a corner off Marcos Rojo - who made a mess of the initial clearance - but it actually ricocheted off the Hornets striker for a goal-kick.

David de Gea in the United goal has had a quiet game so far - someone get the lad a heater to warm his hands up. He'll be frozen!

Memphis Depay full of confidence now, a trick in the corner sees him chopped down by the uncompromising Allan Nyom.

United try a training-ground move from the free-kick and Morgan Schneiderlin almost doubles the lead, volleying narrowly over the crossbar from a tight angle.

Think David Platt against Belgium all those years ago, that's one for the elder generation.

United's strikers united

Will Louis van Gaal let his players snatch a peak at their phones at half-time?

SUBSTITUTION

Ander Herrera pulled up trying to chase back, perhaps he didn't warm himself up enough before kick-off on this bitterly cold Saturday? I'm no doctor, though.

Marcos Rojo comes on and it means a reshuffle, he goes to left-back.

Ander Herrera is down, is doesn't look like he can continue. He's called for the physio...

David Pleat

Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"Manchester United were all at sea there. Ashley Young lost the ball and there was no cover at all. 

"Odion Ighalo had his opportunity but went too wide. That was the first time the Hornets were buzzing though - up until now they've looked a bit in awe of their opponents." 

Getty Images

CLOSE!

That's more like it from the home side. Etienne Capoue leading from the front. He nicks the ball off Ashley Young and the home side find themselves two on two heading towards the United goal.

Capoue feeds Odion Ighalo, who tries to wriggle inside and outside of the defender, but he never looks comfortable and slices the ball wide of goal.

A wake-up call for Manchester United.

Getty Images

Watford need more intensity, it's all too slow from them. They need to start fizzing the ball into each other's feet. United are happy at this stage and don't look in any trouble at all.

Ashley Young whips in a lovely ball from the right, but Miguel Britos heads it away.

Opta

Excellent build-up from the away side for the opening goal, but 21 (Ander Herrera) to 7 (Memphis Depay) is the key.

Cross, goal.

Get Involved

Eyobele: Would Rooney have scored that? Not sure!

Get in touch via #bbcfootball or you can text us on from the UK on 81111 - but don't forget to include your name.

Now, how can Watford respond? They need something quickly as they haven't seen any of the ball so far in this match. An old cliche, but the second goal really is crucial. If United get it, I think it's game over.

David Pleat

Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"Watford static, Manchester United ecstatic.  

"The cross wasn't challenged by the Watford defence and Memphis Depay just side-footed it home. Great movement to get into position."

Reuters

GOAL - Watford 0-1 Man Utd

Lovely volley.

Manager Louis van Gaal said before the game he expects more from big-money summer signing Memphis Depay and the Dutchman has repaid the faith shown in him today.

Starting at Vicarage Road as Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial are out, Depay gets on the end of an Ander Herrera cross from the right, side-footing a sweet left-footed volley into the net.

A good pick out, an excellent finish.

Reuters

Louis van Gaal, sitting on the bench, has to shield his eyes from the beaming sun as he writes some notes on his pad.

"Must buy bread, milk and biscuits after the game."

As expected, his side have most of the possession but haven't carved out any chances yet.

Former Watford man Ashley Young, who got a good reception before kick-off, makes his first gallop forward from right-back.

A cross/shot from the England man is wayward and rolls out of play.

AFP/GETTY

Hornets backed to survive

BBC Radio 5 Live

Watford have already shown enough quality to look like they will earn Premier League survival, believes former England keeper Paul Robinson.

"They have done well this season, to be honest I’m really surprised because of the turnover of players over the summer and the new manager coming in," he told 5 live Sport on Friday.

"Out of the three teams coming up from the Championship, I thought they were least equipped to survive. But I’ve been really impressed with the way Quique Flores has set them up and their style."

We've not seen much from them so far, though.

Ander Herrera's corner is a good one, swinging into the six-yard box but a Watford defender rises to head the ball away.

Home supporters very quiet, the away ones in boisterous mood.

Watford haven't been able to get on the ball yet, the home side looking to get their rhythm going. 

Hornets defender Allan Nyom with a nervy clearance which lands on top his own net. Corner to the visitors.

Get Involved

Joe Tipton: Cristiano Ronaldo put Memphis Depay in his top five young players the other day. Would love to see something that justifies that...

Get in touch via #bbcfootball or you can text us on from the UK on 81111 - but don't forget to include your name.

United with pressure early on. Juan Mata finds space on the right and plays a low ball into the box but no away player can get on the end of it. 

AFP/GETTY

KICK-OFF

The home side, playing from left to right, get us under way at Vicarage Road.

David Pleat

Former Tottenham boss on BBC Radio 5 live

"Watford will realise what an impact the absence of Wayne Rooney and Anthony Martial will have on their opponents. Juan Mata has to be influential for Manchester United, it will be very important he dictates things because Watford will be quick and aggressive to win the ball.

"Chris Smalling has really developed his all-round game and has matured as a person too. He is enjoying the extra responsibility. Some players thrive in those circumstances, and he obviously has."

Both sets of players stand together across the pitch.

The French national anthem - La Marseillaise - is being played in memory of those who died in the Paris attacks last Friday. All Premier League games will be paying their respects in the same way this weekend.

French midfielders Etienne Capoue and Morgan Schneiderlin stand and sing the anthem.

AFP/GETTY

Deeney invites former inmates

Talking of Troy Deeney, the Watford captain has fulfilled a promise made in prison by inviting six former inmates to watch him play this afternoon. 

The 27-year-old served three months of a 10-month prison sentence in 2012 for affray, following a violent brawl that left four students injured.

He said: "I've got my cellmates coming - I told them it would all come true. 

"I have proved people wrong all my life. When people write me off, that's when I perform my best."

Teams are in the tunnel. Manchester United skipper for the day Chris Smalling looks focused, while home counterpart Troy Deeney is in much more of a relaxed mood, having a laugh with one of the mascots.

Getty Images

You can listen to live commentary of the match by clicking the icon at the top of this page.

Will the United duet be singing?

Mark Lawrenson

Former Liverpool defender on Football Focus

"Watford are very much a counter-attacking team, and that might actually suit Manchester United. 

"But there are names on that United bench that we don't even recognise - Sean Goss and Marcus Rashford, it sounds like a duet. But they are Man Utd, they have to get on with it. When players aren't available you have to make do."

Double trouble for United?

BBC Radio 5 Live

Getty Images

Newly promoted Watford's decision to play two strikers is one of the key forces behind their impressive start, according to Times journalist Rory Smith.

“I’ve been surprised they are playing Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo as a two," Smith told 5 live Sport.

"They are one of a few teams that does that and it has worked really well for them. Deeney says he thinks that it tends to surprise teams, when they are confronted by two big powerful strikers who work really hard."

Flores and his seven-a-side team

It's really difficult to dislike Watford boss Quique Sanchez Flores with his good looks, charming approach and broken English.

And he hasn't had too shabby a start since taking charge of the Hornets in the summer. His side are 11th in the Premier League table, eight points clear of the relegation zone. Surprising, as they were supposed to struggle this season.

Reuters

In a revealing interview with The Guardian, Flores says he likes to go running as it acts a release, but also said he entered a seven-a-side team in a local Wednesday night league.

"We are top of the table. Of course! We are representing Watford. The name of the team is Watford," he said. “I have played in all of the games so far and I never substitute myself. I always stay on. I’m playing badly? I stay."

Smalling steps up

Louis van Gaal has been criticised for Manchester United's slow, possession-based style of play this season, and just three goals in their past five games seem to justify that.

However, the Red Devils have laid a solid platform at the back, conceding just eight goals in 12 league games and keeping eight clean sheets.

Getty Images

Centre-back Chris Smalling has been a mainstay for this record and has stepped up to become the consistent performing leader many tipped him to be.

A win this lunchtime and United will go top of the table. What will people complain about then?

Get Involved

Tim Chesworth: Wow United's lineup is as bare as a prison cell. Where's Wilson?

Tom, Holmes Chapel: Well that's my Fantasy League out the window - why would you bench Rojo when they kept a clean sheet last weekend?? 2-0 Watford in my opinion now.

Josh Edkins: Smalling as captain?! Bastian should have the armband!

Get in touch via #bbcfootball or you can text us on from the UK on 81111 - but don't forget to include your name.

Team news

BBC

Watford make one change to the side that lost to Leicester last time out. Spanish midfielder Jurado comes in for Nathan Ake.

Watford XI: Gomes; Nyom, Cathcart, Britos, Anya; Capoue, Watson; Abdi, Jurado, Deeney; Ighalo.

BBC

Manchester United make four changes to the side that beat West Brom a couple of weeks ago, with Phil Jones, Morgan Schneiderlin, Ander Herrera and Memphis Depay in for Marcos Rojo, Michael Carrick, Wayen Rooney and Anthony Martial.

Youngsters Sean Goss and Marcus Rashford are on the bench for Louis van Gaal's side.

Man Utd XI: De Gea; Young, Jones, Smalling, Blind; Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger; Mata, Herrera, Lingard; Memphis.

United stricken

Getty Images

Striker Wayne Rooney, forward Anthony Martial and makeshift frontman Marouane Fellaini all injured.

Winger Memphis Depay out of form and Adnan Januzaj out on loan.

Where are the goals coming from today?

Rex Features

Welcome to our live page for Watford v Manchester United. You can listen to full match commentary on BBC Radio 5 live using the audio icon, and we'll have text commentary here from 12:15 GMT. You can keep up to date with all the action from today's other Premier League games here.