Watford v Manchester United Preview: The Reds’ 100% record and a 12/5 Wayne Rooney tip

It has been a poor week for The Reds and they have a perfect record to maintain at Vicarage Road on Sunday.

You may have heard about the storms in Manchester earlier this week. Around 40mm – half a month’s worth – of rain fell in under an hour.

Rumour has it that the downpour was in fact tears from the red side of the city, United fans still feeling blue after their derby loss last week.

It’s onwards and upwards time. Jose Mourinho would have to make a colossal mistake to balls up at Vicarage Road on Sunday. The Hornets last win against United in all competitions was in 1986. A year where Madonna topped the charts with ‘Papa Don’t Preach’ and Top Gun first graced our screens.

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When Iwan Roberts was scoring the only goal of Watford’s last win against The Reds, Wayne Rooney was just one. He was maybe walking, learning his first scouse phrases, and probably had more hair than he does now.

United’s number 10 has played against Watford twice in his illustrious career, once in the FA Cup and once in the Premier league. He has rattled up three goals and two assists in those matches and it is possible that tally could have risen, had he not been inured for both fixtures last season.

He has one goal and two assists for his club this season, and was rested for United’s midweek Europa League 0-1 loss against Feyenoord. It seems Jose Mourinho wants his skipper fresh for the visit to Vicarge Road on Sunday, but with a record like that, it’s easy to see why.

If the history books are anything to go by, Wayne Rooney to score and Manchester United to win is looking a very tasty punt at

Five of the last six league meetings, going back to United’s treble-winning season of 1999, have racked up over 2.5 goals. In fact, half of those games have ended with over 3.5 goals, including a 4-0 in 2007 with goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and, yep, Wayne Rooney. A goalfest? We’re excited. Over 3.5 goals is tipped at a decent

The Hornets’ themselves smashed four past Adrian last as week they staged a thrilling 4-2 comeback against West Ham. Troy Deeney got his debut goal of the season, he scored a penalty in the corresponding fixture versus Louis van Gaal’s United last year. As such, he could be value at to score anytime.

Jose Mourinho will be looking to get his side back on track, retain a perfect record against Watford and snatch the three points to avoid losing crucial ground on rivals Manchester City and former club Chelsea.

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