Game week 12 Predictions: United to bounce back against Watford?

Manchester United were left frustrated after another limp performance against City last time out, they need to improve on that against Wat...

Manchester United were left frustrated after another limp performance against City last time out, they need to improve on that against Watford on Saturday. (Photo credit: Sky Sports)

Watford vs Manchester United
Vicarage Road
4:00pm

“Give me Ronaldo, I will play him in every game, he will play every minute for me” – Claudio Ranieri at his press conference on Thursday ahead of the visit of Manchester United to Vicarage Stadium.

Manchester United are on thin ice, their latest loss to their city rivals sent them completely out of the top four and they now sit in 6^th place, nine points off the top and only a win will suffice when they line up against Watford on Saturday.

What exactly is the problem of Manchester United? On the face value a lot of people will look into the directions of the manager and you can’t blame them, with little reinforcements they finished second last season and after adding real quality last summer, most expect them to challenge for the title.

The addition of a proven winner in Cristiano Ronaldo got many eyes on the team and with the arrival of Raphael Varane, the long standing issue of the left sided central defender appeared to be fixed, Jadon Sancho arrived too after the long wait but the team still isn’t ticking.

While Sancho can’t even get minutes, fitness issues has limited Varane but Ronaldo has produced the performance expected of a man of his caliber; thereby confusing the lots that believe Ronaldo wasn’t what United needed that summer.

Watford fired Xisco Munoz but Ranieri has only recorded one win since joining, not for lack of efforts but he can’t continue to give excuses, if they’re going to stay in the top flight they’d better start producing points and no better way to start than picking points against giants like United.

Last time out, Watford lost at the Emirates to Arsenal and they would feel bitter about it after defending deep and even got a lifeline from their goalkeeper who saved a penalty from Pierre Emerick Aubameyang, they have to do better when the Red Devils visit on Saturday.

How will they line up? Watford can be expressive but they won’t be stupid, their compact shape and discipline must come to the fore or else they will lose sorely.

United need to make a statement, with Arsenal off to Anfield, here’s an opportunity for them to close in on the top four and take it up from there, they can’t afford to slip up again and with no fresh injuries recorded, it’s United’s game to lose.