MATCH PREVIEW

Last updated : 31 January 2007 By Ed

Fergie:

"I'm echoing what I said after the Arsenal game - there are no more warnings now The only way we're going to do it is by saying 'this game is going to be won and then we can move the next one'. It won't be easy against Watford because they'll work hard and we need to keep our foot on the pedal.

"We'll give someone a hiding at some stage, I think everyone's been saying that for quite a bit. We'll score a lot of goals in one or two games. The players certainly look as though they're enjoying it at the moment. Their training sessions are great and they're playing well. They're getting about the game with great gusto, great determination and team spirit.

"The important things are: one, we keep our consistency going because we are playing well; two: we don't take anything for granted because it can come back and bite you; and three: we make sure we enjoy it."

Talking about Watford manager Aidy Boothroyd:

"His team mirrors the way he works. It won't be easy because they'll work hard and they'll fight. We have to make sure we keep the level of our game up. We need to keep our foot on the pedal, go for it, and see if we can get the three points."


Watford Assistant Manager, Keith Burkinshaw:

"I've won at Old Trafford before, in the FA Cup as well. It is terrific when you do it. I was at Newcastle as first-team coach and everyone remembers that game against Hereford that we lost.

"The following week though we went to Manchester and beat them, with all their top guys. I believe it was the last time Newcastle won at Old Trafford.

"It is a great, great thrill if you can do that. They are a big club and it's a massive audience and you are up against all that but top clubs do it on the odd occasion and it is a great feeling."

More:

"Rooney is an exceptional talent and that goal he scored reminded me of the one Glenn scored at Watford.

"The thing about a goal like that is that you have got to see it early enough and he was the only one in the arena that saw it early. The goalkeeper was 6ft 5ins - unbelievable.

"You prepare the players as best you can against players like that. You have to defend as well as you can but the fact of the matter is that if you have a genius in there they can do things that get you a goal."

Remembering the meeting earlier this year:

"Darius Henderson had a great chance to put us 2-1 up and about 60 seconds later they got a goal through Giggs. The one thing about lot is that they never give below their absolute maximum.

"Arsenal, when they came here, didn't over-run us either. We had chances and they were delighted when they got a late goal to win it.

"The confidence is there and I believe we can do something up there. The word relegation is never talked about here."


Jordan Stewart (Watford player):

"It will be a great moment for me and my family also. I can't speak for anybody else but I don't fear any team. Everyone knows they are a great team and it is going to be hard but we are going to try to impose ourselves on them, get in their faces and make it a battle. Great teams still have weaknesses so we will try to work on those."


PA:

Louis Saha will miss Manchester United's Premiership encounter with Watford after failing to recover from a knee injury.

Sir Alex Ferguson had hoped the French striker would be available to face the rock bottom Hornets - but Saha will only return to training in the morning and has an outside chance of making Sunday's trip to Tottenham.

Wayne Rooney was due to be among the substitutes but may start after his two-goal salvo against Portsmouth at the weekend, while Cristiano Ronaldo returns to the squad after a brief break in Dubai.

Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster is ineligible for the trip to face his parent club.

Richard Lee is set to step in as the Premiership's bottom side take on the leaders at Old Trafford. Striker Darius Henderson missed training sessions with an ankle problem but should feature and defender Malky Mackay is expected to shrug off a calf niggle.

Centre-back Danny Shittu (ankle) remains a doubt and midfielder Gavin Mahon is still being troubled by a calf problem so may remain sidelined.


BBC:

Manchester United striker Louis Saha misses out with a knee injury so Wayne Rooney, who was due to be among the substitutes, may start.

Cristiano Ronaldo returns to the squad after a brief break in Dubai.

Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster - on loan from United - is ineligible so Richard Lee is set to step in.

Darius Henderson (ankle) and Malky Mackay (calf) are expected to be fit but Danny Shittu (ankle) and Gavin Mahon (calf) are doubts.


Man Utd squad: Van der Sar, Kuszczak, Neville, Brown, Ferdinand, Vidic, Silvestre, O'Shea, Evra, Heinze, Park, Fletcher, Scholes, Carrick, Giggs, Richardson, Ronaldo, Rooney, Larsson, Solskjaer.

Watford squad: Lee, Chamberlain, Mariappa, Mackay, DeMerit, Stewart, Smith, Francis, Bangura, McNamee, Bouazza, Henderson, Powell, Doyley, Kabba, Ashikodi, Shittu, Mahon, Priskin.


BBC Weather:

Should be dry at round 10°C at kick off time.
 

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