* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
This should be an opportunity for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to finally give the front line players a much needed break after a hectic Christmas Premier League schedule and EFL cup semi-final. We should expect to see Axel Tuanzebe, Brandon Williams, Juan Mata, Daniel James and the rarely seen Donny van de Beek get starting berths.
The Dutch midfielder has made only two Premier League starts and came on after 88 minutes with United needing a goal against Man City in midweek having signed for close to £40m last Summer. What is all the more odd is that van de Beek is not by any means a flop who has played badly when given his opportunities, he was superb in United’s Champions League victory against Istanbul Basaksehir earlier in the season.
Saturday 9pm: Man Utd v Watford
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On that night against the Turkish side, his positive and creative passing was a recurring feature of the game and showed he could potentially bring a different dimension to the United midfield where Fred and Scott McTominay provide a solid base for United’s defence but lack the ability to play forward. It is a curious situation and it’s fair to wonder whether Solskjaer ever wanted the Dutchman in the first place given his seeming disinterest in giving van de Beek opportunities to prove himself.
Man United will face a Watford side sitting 6th in the Championship table having sacked former manager Vladimir Ivic last month. Ex-Dinamo Tbilisi manager Xisco Munoz now takes the Watford hot seat and you would be a brave man to back Munoz to last until the end of the Championship season given his club’s track record. Watford had 14 different permanent managers in the 2010s and five new managers since Javi Gracia departed in September 2019.
Watford do still possess a talented squad for Munoz to work with and they should be pushing for promotion at the business end of the Championship season. One of those players is Ismaila Sarr who has been linked with Man Utd and Liverpool.
READ MORE: Paddy Trader’s 3 Value Punts For Arsenal V Newcastle
Sarr is a player who has shown flashes of serious talent and readers may remember his two goal performance to break Liverpool’s unbeaten run last season. He’s a player who really impressed me playing for Senegal in covering the 2019 African Nations Cup and again flashed alot of ability for Rennes in the 2019 Europa League knockout stages.
He’s only scored four Championship goals this season but at only 22, Sarr is a player that will interest the Premier League elite and can help his cause for a January move with a big performance at Old Trafford.
Manchester United to Win
Watford’s form on the whole has been patchy at best so it’s hard to see anything other than a win for United’s second string so United to Win will be the first leg of my bet builder.
Daniel James To Score Anytime
The second leg be Daniel James to score anytime. The young Welshman has looked in decent form lately in limited opportunities and the price on offer looks a reasonable price on him finding the net.
Nathaniel Chalobah to be booked
For the third and final leg, I’ll plump for Nathaniel Chalobah to be booked. The tough tackling midfielder can often be rash in the tackle and he’ll have to make a few on Saturday while under pressure from a heavily favoured United side.
Our Bet Builder for Man Utd v Watford
Man Utd to Win
Daniel James To Score Anytime
Nathaniel Chalobah to be Booked
Those three selections combine for a price of just under 20/1 with Paddy Power.
* All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
More tips this weekend
- Football Tips: Phil Thompson’s picks for Arsenal and Man Utd FA Cup ties
- Four big-value FA Cup shocks on the cards this weekend
- Our fab 23/1 5 fold acca for the FA Cup 3rd round