Watford 1-2 Manchester United: Barclays Premier League - as it happened

Full time: Watford 1-2 Manchester United

A game which lacked excitement illuminated at either end. Memphis Depay scored after 11 minutes to seemingly put United on course for a comfortable win before Troy Deeney hammered home a penalty. But Deeney turned villain with an own goal from Bastian Schweinsteiger's pull back to gift United the win which sends them top of the Premier League table.

That is all we have time for on this particular Premier League live text but here we have live coverage of Chelsea vs Norwich and West Brom vs Arsenal in two of six 3pm kick-offs. See you there

Ighalo with a chance to grab a second equaliser but his volley on the turn is saved by De Gea. Fine climax to this game which United look like they are going to snatch.

Goal: Watford 1-2 Manchester United (Troy Deeney own goal)

United level for just three minutes as they grab what is surely a late winner. Gomes turns away Lingard's effort but from the loose ball Schweinsteiger turns the ball back across goal and Deeney inadvertently turns the ball into his own net.

Goal: Watford 1-1 Manchester United (Troy Deeney)

The home side are rewarded for their second half improvement with an equaliser with three minutes left. Referee Robert Madley points to the spot after Rojo fells Ighalo and Deeney steps up and thrashes the ball past De Gea.

Penalty for Watford

United should have doubled their lead and clinched the points. A long ball downfield finds Lingard who goes to lob Gomes but can't get enough on it and Watford survive.

Juan Mata off and Andreas Pereira is on for United but they are in survival mode exclusively in this game. Watford have been much the better in this second half as we head into the final ten minutes.

It has been a lean period for Watford but two chances in as many minutes almost see them level. Abdi's deflected shot is brilliantly turned away by De Gea before the Spaniard punches away a left-wing corner from going straight in. United have gone into their shell somewhat and seem happy with their lead.

Watford almost level following a lovely attack. Substitute Nathan Ake is immediately involved with a cross from the left which after Ighalo tees the ball up, Deeney's rasping drive is pushed over by De Gea. Much better from the home side.

United almost double their lead inside two minutes of the second half. Memphis Depay feeds Lingard, who latches onto the ball but sees Gomes turn away his effort for a corner.

Back under way at Vicarage Road. Nathan Ake on for Jurado as Watford revert to the team that beat West Ham.

Half time: Watford 0-1 Manchester United

A half illuminated by a cushioned volley finish from Memphis Depay on his return to the team which has Manchester United ahead at a nervy Watford. The home side have threatened in dispatches but as United's impressive defensive record which is closing in on 600 minutes without conceding continues, the more sturdy they look. Work to do for Quique Sanchez Flores.

Etienne Capoue is presented with the ball at the edge of the penalty area but he skies his effort well over the bar. Apart from Ighalo's earlier effort, that is as close as Watford have come. United resolute, but the hosts a little blunt.

United almost double their lead through some more shaky Watford defending as a corner from the right is deflect on its way through and only just evades the onrushing Lingard.

Andre Herrera off injured and it has forced a complete reshuffle in the United team. Marcos Rojo has come on, into a back three. Another injury blow for Van Gaal.

Having said that, Watford almost level out of nothing. Deeney pick-pockets Ashley Young, who is floored in the process, and he feeds Ighalo who twists and turns but lashes his shot into the crowd.

Watford have not yet begun their reply to Manchester United's early goal and in fact it is the visitors who have continued the pressure. Young's cross is header over frantically by Britos as he faced his own goal.

Goal: Watford 0-1 Manchester United (Memphis Depay)

Back in the team and what a repost to his critics. Memphis Depay volleys home Ander Herrera's first-time cross to end his recent run of poor form. Fabulous finish after just 11 minutes.

Fast start from United and they almost take the lead in bizarre circumstances. An errant Ander Herrera shot is blocked high into the air and Anya's first time clearance is high into the air and lands on top of Heurelho Gomes' goal. Almost an embarrassing early moment there.

La Marseillaise rings around Vicarage Road before kick-off. A controversial move by the Premier League but a great moment of unity nonetheless. Under way in north London.

Former players on either side this afternoon. Craig Cathcart in the Watford team is formerly of Manchester United, while Ashley Young made his senior debut for the Hornets.

Players on their way out at Vicarage Road. Remember the French national anthem will be played before kick-off in memory of those that died in the Paris terror attacks.

Big day for the returning for Memphis Depay as he spearheads the United attack after a spell out of the team. The Dutchman arrived at Old Trafford with a big reputation but has failed to maintain the standards he set at the start of the campaign. Huge chance for him to make amends this afternoon.

Though the proposition of facing Manchester United may have been eased by the absence of Anthony Martial and Wayne Rooney for Watford, but the truth is the newly promoted side have a dreadful recent record against the 20-time English champions. United have won their last nine league and cup games against Watford spanning the last 28 years. Add that to the fact United have gone over 500 minutes without conceding and you get an insight into the challenge facing Flores' side this afternoon. Kick off is 15 minutes away.

Watford have been the definition of inconsistency in the Premier League this season. Four wins, four draws and four defeats have come from their opening 12 games. There is little doubt that Quique Sánchez Flores has been the star man for the Hornets this season. The Spanish boss has fused together a cosmopolitan squad with aplomb, a feat which many felt was close to impossible in his maiden season in English football.

Despite being much-criticised for their style of play, Manchester United can go top of the Premier League table today ahead of Arsenal and Manchester City's game later today. That might be hard for many to believe but Louis van Gaal's side are very much in this title race. Today is a tough looking game on paper and is another test of their title credentials.

Before we look ahead to the first Premier League game it is worth mentioning that like prior to the England-France friendly at Wembley in mid-week, La Marseillaise will be played before kick-off in all the top flight games up and down the country in memory of those that died in the Paris terror attacks.

One change for Watford as Jurado comes in for Chelsea loanee Nathan Aké.

Manchester United are without a host of forwards and it looks as though Memphis Depay will lead the attack. Jesse Lingard starts too, with Ashley Young and Daley Blind at full-back.

Teams:

Watford: Gomis, Nyom, Cathcart, Britos, Anya, Capoue, Watson, Jurado, Deeney, Abdi, Ighalo

Manchester United: De Gea, Young, Jones, Smalling, Blind, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Mata, Herrera, Lingard, Memphis.

No doubt that if my trip to the office today is any indication, the brisker weather is on the way so if you're off to any game across the country this between now and the New Year, wrap up and prepare for some prevailing winds. Get a jacket on, if you get my drift.

We're expecting the teams in in the next ten minutes or so, but what do we already know about how both sides may line up this afternoon?

Watford are assessing striker Odion Ighalo after he returned late from international duty with Nigeria. Sebastian Prodl, Tommie Hoban and Joel Ekstrand are all out however.

Manchester United are without six players including strikers Anthony Martial - injured on international duty with France - and ill captain Wayne Rooney. Michael Carrick is among the other four players absent.

After the two-week international break and the atrocities which occurred in Paris, the Premier League returns in an attempt to grab our attention once again. The first of eight games takes us to Vicarage Road where Watford host Manchester United. Watford have impressed since earning promotion but have struggled for goals at home, while Louis van Gaal's side arrive at the home of the hornets without a recognized striker. Interesting afternoon ahead.