Well, what a game that was! Manchester United ultimately come out on top against a spirited Watford side by a 4-2 scoreline, but it wasn't without its scares for the visitors.

United were so clinical in the first half and raced into a 3-0 before Gomes even made his first save of the contest, but Watford threatened an extraordinary comeback when goals from Troy Deeney and Abdoulaye Doucoure inside the final 15 minutes reduced the deficit back to one. However, Lingard responded quickly with a brilliant solo effort to kill off the fight back and seal all three points for the Red Devils.

There will be four minutes of added time at the end of this incredible match.

CLOSE! Still Watford refuses to lie down in this cracking match! Richarlison dribbles down the left byline, beating Valencia on his way into the box before seeing his low cross smuggled just wide by De Gea.

MAN UTD SUB: That will be Lingard's final action of the match too as he is replaced by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Hit by the commentator's curse twice in one game - sorry Watford fans!

Lingard kills off the Watford fightback in some style with a brilliant solo effort, picking the ball up on the halfway line and carry the ball past three Watford players before firing his low finish past the keeper. Sensational goal from Lingard.

The Watford subs have really changed this game - Carrillo and Deeney in particular. If they can pull this comeback off then it would be incredible.

Now then! Watford pull another goal back to set up a blockbuster finale at Vicarage Road, and it is a really smart finish from Doucoure.

Carrillo is again the architect as he plays the ball to Doucoure just inside the area, and the midfielder dangles a foot at the ball to clip a brilliantly-controlled volley into the corner. Vicarage Road is really beginning to believe now!

Lukaku slides a pass down the right channel for Lingard, who attempts to chip Gomes but gets it all wrong and it ends up closer to the corner flag.

Watford are not giving this one up whatsoever. There is a level of urgency about their play now, with Deeney leading the charge for the home side.

CHANCE! Another half-chance from Watford, who are just starting to believe a little now. Deeney climbs highest in the area to get his head to a cross, but his effort is easy for De Gea to collect.

A glimmer of hope perhaps? Watford pull a goal back through Troy Deeney's penalty with 13 minutes remaining as the sub sends De Gea the wrong way and tucks his spot kick into the bottom corner.

United can't have any real complaints over the award of the penalty either, with Carrillo beating Rojo in the box before being brought to ground by a rash challenge.

CLOSE! This is better from Lukaku, but still not quite right. The Belgian drives into a shooting position on his left foot and is much more convincing this time, but he drags his effort wide of the far post.

CHANCE! Nothing seems to be going right for Lukaku at the moment! Rashford pounces on a loose touch from Mariappa and immediately gives the ball inside for Lukaku, who is in lots of space inside the penalty area. He only has Gomes to beat, but he takes far too much time and that allows the defence to get back and deny him.

CHANCE! Big chance for United to add a fourth as Lingard's free kick is met by Pogba, but he gets his header all wrong and puts it over the crossbar when he should have at least hit the target.

Deeney is almost immediately involved as Doucoure's scuffed effort from the edge of the box almost arrives at the feet of the Watford skipper, but Smalling is alert to thwart him.

WATFORD SUB: Marco Silva hasn't quite given up hope yet, though. Troy Deeney replaces Gray as Watford's third and final change.

United have been much less clinical in this second half, but then they can afford to be with this lead. Less than 20 minutes remaining now, and surely the visitors can't let it slip from here.

Again a dangerous cross comes into the box from Watford and United don't quite deal with it at first, but after a mini-scramble they are able to hack the ball away.

Pogba rises highest to meet a corner in the box, but his header is half-blocked and easy for Gomes to fall on inside the area.

MAN UTD SUB: Another change for the hosts sees Marcus Rashford replace the influential Martial.

CHANCE! Another half-chance for Richarlison in the air as he climbs highest at the back post, but he can't steer his header on target.

Less than half an hour remaining in this match now, and while Watford are still seeing a decent amount of the ball they are yet to create a really clear chance. United are in complete control here.

SHOT! Doucoure has been on the goal trail this season, but he will need something really special to beat De Gea from here. He tries his luck from a long way out, but his shot is always rising and flies well over.

UPDATE: Quick reply from Newcastle at The Hawthorns as Ciaran Clark pulls one back for the Magpies!

WATFORD SUBS: Watford will make a double change here, one of which is enforced as Will Hughes has picked up a hamstring injury. On come Roberto Pereyra and Andre Carrillo for Hughes and Prodl.

UPDATE: West Brom's improvement post-Tony Pulis continues and they now lead out-of-form Newcastle United 2-0 at The Hawthorns. Hal Robson-Kanu broke the deadlock right at the end of the first half, and young Sam Field has now doubled the advantage.

MAN UTD SUB: This is a worry for United - Nemanja Matic limps off with an injury to be replaced by Ander Herrera. It doesn't look too serious, but if it is a muscle problem then we will need to wait.

CHANCE! Another lightning counter from United provides a glorious chance for a fourth, with Martial again leading the charge. He carries the ball before releasing it at the right time for Lukaku, but the Belgian's subsequent right-footed effort across goal is tame and trickles well wide of the target. He should have done a lot better there.

Watford are knocking on the door now and United need some important defensive contributions from Smalling, Lindelof and Rojo in quick succession to thwart some dangerous attacks from the hosts.

Good defending from Mariappa as he drifts all the way across to the other side of the pitch to make an important challenge on Lingard when the United man had broke free down the right.

If Watford are to stand any chance of getting back into this match and pulling off a remarkable comeback then they need a goal early in this second half. It would have been perfect for them had Richarlison's header gone in at the end of the first half, but now they need to push for that route back into the game.

KICKOFF: Watford get us back underway for the second half, with no changes from either side.

United then made it three goals from as many meaningful attacks to all but kill the game off as a contest with just over half an hour on the clock, his time Anthony Martial getting in on the act with his eighth goal of the season.

It was poor defending from Watford as they gave the ball to Lukaku and then allowed the striker's pass go all the way through to Martial, who curled his finish into the bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Having waited 19 months for one, Young only had to wait another six minutes for his second, and this time it came in even greater style as the wing-back marked his return to Vicarage Road in sensational fashion.

Pogba's powerful run from midfield earned a free kick for the visitors, and Young was quick to grab the ball. It proved to be a good decision too, as he curled an inch-perfect effort into the top corner and past a helpless Gomes.

the opening goal came through the unlikely source of Ashley Young, who fired a crisp strike past Gomes at the near post after escaping the attention of his marker just outside the area.

Lukaku and Lingard had combined to set up Young, who confidently dispatched the strike despite not having scored in 19 months.

The first half comes to an end at Vicarage Road, then, and it is United who are in complete control of this contest at the halfway stage.

Watford have not actually played that badly and looked the most likely to break the deadlock before United did open the scoring. From then on it was a clinical performance from the visitors, who put Watford to the sword almost every time they came forward to build a commanding lead at the break.

OFF THE BAR! Watford are inches away from pulling a goal back right on the stroke of half time! Femenia pops up on the left flank this time and picks out Richarlison in the middle, but the Brazilian's header comes off the top of the crossbar.

There will be two minutes of added time at the end of this first half.

WHAT A SAVE! Gomes is making a habit of pulling off incredible double saves, and this is as good as any he has managed so far. The Watford keeper initially gets down well to parry Lukaku's low strike away from goal, but Lingard is quick on to the rebound. The midfielder looks destined to score with a lot of the goal undefended, but his shot is tipped over by a sensational reaction stop from Gomes.

Martial is on top form tonight, and is certainly proving himself a useful asset for Mourinho this season...

Young does indeed go for goal, but this isn't quite up to his past standard as he scuffs the ball straight into the wall.

YELLOW CARD! Mariappa is the latest player to go in the book for a poor challenge on Martial. This is now Ashley Young territory, on a hat-trick of course.

Better from Watford as they begin to put the United defence under some pressure again, but that backline has stood firm so far tonight. Still nothing for De Gea to do.

YELLOW CARD! Rojo is the first Manchester United man in the book for a rough challenge on Gray.

United are now in control of this match, but that has only really been the case since that third goal. Watford's heads seem to have dropped following that Martial strike.

What do you say at half time if you are Marco Silva? He would have been happy with his side until the first goal went in, but suddenly they are now three goals down. The hosts are not making things difficult enough for United for sure as the visitors have scored on all of their meaningful attacks so far.

Three chances, three goals for Manchester United, who have surely now put the game to bed with just over half an hour on the clock.

This time it is too easy for them as a clearance goes straight to Lukaku, whose pass releases Martial. The winger works space to shoot on the edge of the box and drills a powerful low strike past Gomes. Clinical from the visitors.

UPDATE: The good news just keeps on coming for United as Riyad Mahrez has doubled Leicester's lead against Tottenham!

Is there any way back for the home side now? It certainly looks like a tall order against this United side, but if they can get the next goal then there is always a chance. They have not been playing badly, after all.

Marco Silva must be scratching his head at this scoreline - United have only had two meaningful attacks, Gomes is yet to make a save and Watford have been the better team, yet the hosts find themselves two goals down.

Incredible! Ashley Young hadn't scored for a year-and-a-half before tonight, but he now has two goals in the space of just six minutes against his former club!

This one is something special too as he swings a beauty of a free kick into the top corner, leaving Gomes helpless despite the keeper being stood that side of the goal. Magnificent strike from the wing-back, who is now on a hat-trick.

YELLOW CARD! Doucoure is the first name in the book tonight having finally brought Pogba down at his third attempt as the United man was racing up the middle of the pitch.

That goal is a real blow to Watford, who have been the better team in this match so far. The hosts have reacted well, though, and are quickly back on the front foot.

United push for a quickfire second as Young gives the ball down the left channel for Martial, but Prodl makes an important challenge to prevent the winger cutting inside and having a clear sight of goal.

Ah. I believe that is what is known as the commentator's curse! United take the lead with their first meaningful attack of the match, and it is Young who gets on the scoresheet for the first time since May 2016!

Young had the shot which forced the own goal on Saturday, but there is no doubt that this one is his to keep. A quick counter sees Lukaku slide the ball into the feet of Lingard, who turns and then gives it out wide for Young. Young escapes the attentions of one defender before lashing a crisp early strike past Gomes, who could not react in time.

The visitors simply haven't got going in this match so far. Gomes remains untested and the majority of the game has been played in the United half. Marco Silva will be much the happier of the two managers at the moment.

Good counter-attacking from United as they get the ball up quickly for Martial, who cuts inside and sees his initial effort blocked. The danger is not over, though, and Martial wins the ball back before breaking into the box, but he never really looks in control of it and eventually it runs through to the keeper.

United have their first chance to test Watford's set-piece weakness, but on this occasion the hosts deal with it comfortably. They will need to keep that concentration throughout, though, as United pose a big aerial threat.

Watford have started this match really well. They have tested the United defence on more than one occasion and look in control of the game at the moment, with United struggling to get their dangermen involved right now.

CHANCE! The resulting chance sees Richarlison escape the attention of Lindelof to get his head on the ball, but his effort is straight at a red shirt and is blocked before it can test De Gea.

Femenia again darts down the right flank and this time reaches the byline before getting a deflected cross into the box which needs to be tipped over the bar by De Gea.

So nearly a chance for Watford again, and once more it comes from a cross. This time it is from the left flank as Richarlison swings the ball into the middle, but Gray is just short of getting on the end of it.

Watford are getting into the faces of United in these opening exchanges - they have caught the visitors in possession on a few occasions and right now look the most likely to break the deadlock.

Almost the first chance of the match as Femenia swings a fine ball into the box which Richarlison tries to get on the end of with a dart towards the near post. He gets in front of Lindelof, but the United man just levers him away from the ball and it goes through to safety.

Nothing to report in terms of chances at either end so far as these two sides feel each out in the opening exchanges. The game is being played in the middle third mostly at the moment.

UPDATE: There are three other Premier League fixtures taking place tonight, including two which kicked off at 7.45pm.

There is already good news for United from one of them, with Leicester City taking the lead against Tottenham Hotspur through Jamie Vardy.

KICKOFF: Here we go! Manchester United get us underway at Vicarage Road!

Right, we're just a couple of minutes away from kickoff at Vicarage Road now, so let's have a quick recap of the teams tonight...

WATFORD STARTING XI: Gomes; Zeegelaar, Mariappa, Kabasele, Prodl, Femenia; Hughes, Cleverley, Doucoure; Richarlison; Gray

MAN UTD STARTING XI: De Gea; Rojo, Smalling, Lindelof; Valencia, Matic, Pogba, Young; Lingard, Martial, Lukaku

The most recent meeting between the two sides took place in February when United gained revenge for their Vicarage Road defeat with a two-goal victory of their own at Old Trafford.

Juan Mata and Anthony Martial were the goalscorers on that occasions, scoring in each half to hand Mourinho's side a relatively comfortable win.

In the Premier League era United have won seven of their previous eight encounters with Watford, but defeat tonight would see them fall to consecutive away losses at the hands of the Hornets for the first time ever.

Watford haven't even remained unbeaten in successive home games against United since 1986, when they drew in May and then won 1-0 in September.

Unsurprisingly, Manchester United have dominated the recent history between these two sides, winning 12 of their last 13 meetings with Watford across all competitions stretching back to 1986.

However, Watford's first and only triumph over the Red Devils came in this corresponding fixture last season, when late goals from Zuniga and Deeney helped the Hornets to a famous 3-1 victory back in September 2016.

PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff at Vicarage Road, which means that it is time for a prediction!

This is a very interesting match between two good sides who fare worse at home and away respectively. Watford have taken some big scalps already this season but already been soundly beaten by big teams, while all of United's dropped points have come away from home. United obviously have the greater quality in their ranks, but I am going to plump for a score draw tonight.

SPORTS MOLE SAYS: Watford 1-1 Manchester United

United must also be wary of overlooking Watford tonight, which is a possibility considering the games they have coming up.

Arsenal and Manchester City provide the opposition in United's next two Premier League games, both of which will be huge matches for Mourinho's title challenge, but if they take their eye off the ball tonight then Watford are also more than capable of punishing them.

Indeed, if only away form counted then United would currently sit in sixth place having won two, drawn two and lost two of their Premier League games on the road this term, and that record doesn't get much better across all competitions either.

United have again lost two in a row away from home on that front and three of their last four courtesy of the 1-0 Champions League defeat to Basel a week ago. The Red Devils have not lost three consecutive away games in all competition since December 2015, and have not failed to score in three away games on the bounce since October 1999.

The biggest question mark surrounding United heading into this match - and indeed their title credentials - is their away form. Mourinho's side have only won two of their last 10 Premier League away games stretching back to last season, including consecutive defeats at Huddersfield and Chelsea in their past two.

Another defeat tonight - which is not entirely out of the questions considering Watford's form - would see them lose three consecutive Premier League away games for the first time since January 1996, and only eight of their 29 points so far this season have come on the road.

United's form has stuttered a little of late, though, with two defeats in their last five Premier League games - as many as they had suffered in their previous 37 before that.

They come into this match on the back of consecutive wins over Newcastle and Brighton, though, and another victory tonight would mark back-to-back triumphs across all competitions for the first time this month.

All of that has enabled United to record their highest points tally after 13 games of a season since Sir Alex Ferguson's departure, although they still haven't been able to live with the incredible form of local rivals Manchester City.

City have made the best ever start to a Premier League campaign, dropping only two points so far, meaning that United's own decent start looks distinctly average next to it. The Red Devils could close the gap to five points tonight, but City would be expected to open it back up against when they host Southampton on Wednesday.

United's clean sheet in Saturday's 1-0 win over Brighton was their ninth of the Premier League season already, which unsurprisingly is more than any other team has managed.

Indeed, their tally of only six goals conceded is Manchester United's best record since 2007-08, and if they prevent Watford from scoring tonight then they would become only the third team in Premier League history - after Liverpool in 2005-06 and Chelsea in 2008-09, to reach double figures of clean sheets after 14 games of the season.

United's defensive record is in stark contrast to that, boasting the best in the league having conceded only six goals from their opening 13 games.

Mourinho's sides are always built on a sturdy defence, but last season what let United down was their failure to score at the other end. This time around they haven't quite been able to match the free-scoring Man City, but they do still sit second in the scoring stakes having found the back of the net 28 times in their 13 outings.

Watford's next three matches all come against teams currently above them in the table - Manchester United, Tottenham and Burnley - and the biggest concern heading into that period will be their defensive record.

Marco Silva's side have the worst defence outside the bottom six as things stand and have conceded a league-high 11 goals from set pieces already this term, including six from corner. The Hornets have also conceded 35 goals from their 11 league fixtures against last season's top six so far this calendar year, so the visit of United does not bode particularly well for them.

Stretching back to last season Watford have only won two of their last nine home games across all competitions, suffering five defeats in that time. The Hornets also have one of the worst defensive records at home in the league this term, conceding 11 goals - although six of those came in one match against Manchester City.

On a brighter note, they did beat West Ham in their most recent outing at Vicarage Road, meaning that another win this evening would make it back-to-back home wins for the first time since April.

The draw with Liverpool and win over Arsenal came at Vicarage Road, but Watford have actually been better on their travels so far this season, picking up 13 points from seven games compared to only eight from six outings in front of their own fans.

Indeed, if only away form counted this season Watford would currently reside in third place, behind only Man City and Chelsea, whereas if only home form counted then they would sit 14th, with only five teams having amassed fewer points in front of their own fans.

Victory for the Hornets this evening would see them string together a run of three consecutive Premier League wins for only the second time ever, and the first since a four-game streak in December 2015.

The calibre of opposition will not faze them either - they have already taken points off Liverpool (3-3) and Arsenal (2-1) this season, although they were heavily beaten by Manchester City (0-6) and also fell to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge by a 4-2 scoreline so it has been a mixed bag against last season's top six so far.

Watford did recently go on a three-match losing streak to remind them how quickly things can change, but they seem to have come out of that slump now with back-to-back victories heading into this match - the first time they have managed that all season despite their encouraging start.

Both of those victories have seen Watford keep a clean sheet too having failed to keep one in seven games prior to that, so their defensive record is also improving.

Watford's tally of 21 points from their opening 13 games is equal their best ever start to a top-flight campaign, and the only previous occasion they reached that total so quickly came in 1982-83, when they went on to finish second in what is their best ever league campaign.

The chances of them finishing second this time around are incredibly slim, of course, but the number one goal for Marco Silva when taking over would have been to avoid relegation and the Hornets are already 11 points clear of the bottom three - not to mention more than halfway towards the magic 40-point mark.

It is a Watford side packed with talent then, so much so that United boss Jose Mourinho said in the build-up to this match that it was strange to see a "mid-table team" with such good quality in their ranks.

Watford may be dreaming even higher than mid-table considering the start they have made and, after a little wobble recently, they now look to be back on track. Victory tonight would lift them above Liverpool temporarily and into sixth place, which surpasses the vast majority of their pre-season expectations.

Andre Gray also ended his wait for a goal against Newcastle, though, while the unlikely source of Will Hughes has weighed in with a couple of his own in recent weeks too, so there are plenty of avenues for Watford to go down.

Hughes actually only made his Premier League debut on October 28, but he has now scored in back-to-back games for the first time in his career, opening the scoring on both occasions.

The star of the show for the Hornets has been Richarlison, though, with his summer arrival from Brazil already looking like a snip at a little over £11m.

A number of clubs have already been linked with a January bid for the young Brazilian, who has been directly involved in seven goals during his last eight Premier League appearances, scoring four times and assisting three more. He will be the man to watch for United tonight.

Watford are also expected to play with three at the back as Prodl is joined by Kabasele and Mariappa, although in practice that may become a back five including the impressive pairing of Zeegelaar and Femenia, who will start the game as wing-backs but may be penned in if United have their way.

Behind them, Heurelho Gomes continues between the sticks where he has earned plenty of plaudits for his performances so far this season.

As for Watford, they have made only one change from their impressive weekend win at Newcastle, and it is an enforced one at the heart of the defence.

Miguel Britos picked up a knock at St James' Park and has failed to recover in time for this game, so in comes Sebastian Prodl to replace him - just as he did off the bench against the Magpies. This is Prodl's first start since August.

It is a little surprising to see Paul Pogba start again tonight having completed his first full 90 minutes after almost 10 weeks out with a hamstring injury during the weekend win over Brighton, but Mourinho evidently feels that his fitness is up to scratch already to play two games in the space of just three days.

Aside from Rojo's inclusion, coming in for Juan Mata, the only other change made from that win over Brighton sees Jesse Lingard come into the starting lineup as Rashford drops to the bench.

United look set to revert to a 3-4-3 formation tonight, with Rojo coming into the defence for his first league appearance for seven-and-a-half months having, like Ibrahimovic, been sidelined for a while with a knee injury.

Neither Phil Jones nor Eric Bailly are yet fit enough to return from their own injury problems, which means that Rojo is joined in the back three by Lindelof and Smalling, while Valencia and Young will provide the width on either side as wing-backs.

There had been some speculation that Zlatan Ibrahimovic could be in line for his first start since April having made three appearances off the bench during his recovery, but he once again has to settle for a place on the bench this evening.

Lukaku has scored 93 goals in his 199 Premier League appearances so far, with only 10 players in the competition's history having managed more than that before reaching the double-century. Alan Shearer leads the way, as you might expect, with an incredible 145 goals in his first 200 Premier League outings.

What can we make of those two sides, then?

Well, we'll have a closer look at Watford in a short while, but first let's look at the visitors tonight as Jose Mourinho keeps faith with Romelu Lukaku up front despite the Belgian having scored only one goal in his last 10 appearances for the club.

Lukaku had been in danger of missing this game altogether after what looked like a kick out at Gaeten Bong during Saturday's narrow win over Brighton, but he avoided any retrospective punishment for that and is in from the start today for his 200th Premier League appearance.

MAN UTD SUBS: Romero, Darmian, Herrera, McTominay, Mata, Rashford, Ibrahimovic

MAN UTD STARTING XI: De Gea; Rojo, Smalling, Lindelof; Valencia, Matic, Pogba, Young; Lingard, Martial, Lukaku

WATFORD SUBS: Karnezis, Janmaat, Deeney, Wague, Carrillo, Capoue, Pereyra

WATFORD STARTING XI: Gomes; Zeegelaar, Mariappa, Kabasele, Prodl, Femenia; Hughes, Cleverley, Doucoure; Richarlison; Gray

Good evening! Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for tonight's Premier League clash between Watford and Manchester United at Vicarage Road!

It is always a treat to have some midweek Premier League fixtures, and this is a particularly intriguing one as the impressive Watford host title hopefuls United. Watford would move sixth with victory - for 24 hours at least - whereas United know that any dropped points could prove fatal to their title hopes with City in such relentless form.

Before we take a closer look, though, let's first check out the team news...