Manchester United will look to keep the pressure on the three sides above them in the Premier League when they meet Watford at Vicarage Road on Saturday afternoon.
Watford could move into the top half of the table with a positive result after entering the international break on the back of a defeat.
Watford
© Getty Images
Since the start of the campaign, Watford have gone about their business quietly and impressively to earn breathing space from the relegation zone after 12 games.
Quique Flores has refused to set many targets for his side on their return to the top tier of English football, but their performances early in the season give the Hornets boss plenty to be optimistic about as they prepare for one of the toughest tests in the league.
Victories over Stoke City and West Ham United edged Watford up the table prior to the break, before Jamie Vardy and Leicester condemned them to a 2-1 defeat to end hopes of a third successive win.
The performances of attacking pair Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney have been the biggest positive, but Flores is likely to be worried about the lack of goals arriving from elsewhere, with only Stoke City, West Bromwich Albion and Aston Villa scoring less than their tally of 11 league goals.
Occupying 11th spot at this stage of the campaign is a great achievement, and one that is certain to have pleased Watford fans, but the pressure is on to maintain the momentum they have gained.
Watford are yet to suffer back-to-back defeats in the league this season, but with so many more challenges to come, even victory on Saturday would not be enough to encourage any overconfidence from inside the club.
Recent form: LDLWWL
Manchester United
© Getty Images
Such is the pressure that arrives with being Manchester United manager, Van Gaal is being forced to answer difficult questions even when his side are winning games.
After winning just one of their six matches in all competitions in October, United bounced back earlier this month by following a Champions League win over CSKA Moscow by beating over West Brom 2-0 at Old Trafford to make it five clean sheets in a row.
Despite claiming the win which leaves them just two points behind leaders Manchester City, criticism of the team's style and whether they can sustain this form throughout the season remains, with supporters expecting nothing less than a strong title challenge.
With high-flying Leicester separating them from Man City and Arsenal, it is clear that a battle is also on for a spot in the top four as in-form Tottenham Hotspur start the weekend just three points back in fifth spot.
The spotlight will remain on the club all season as Van Gaal continues to ignore the critics of his style, but the Dutchman will at least be happy with the form shown by Jesse Lingard, whose recent form was enough to earn him a place in the England squad.
It would be fair to say that United's key players are still trying to find top form at the same time, but with the chance to pile the pressure on their rivals by moving top with a win in Saturday's early kickoff, the picture could look very different at the end of the weekend.
Recent form: WLWDDW
Recent form (all competitions): DDDDWW
Team News
© Getty Images
United fans were left frustrated during the international break as Michael Carrick was stretchered off at Wembley with an ankle injury, but he should be back in action sooner than expected after initial reports suggested that he would be out for six weeks.
Anthony Martial limped off the Wembley pitch after starting for France in the defeat to England, and the forward is facing a battle to be ready for Saturday's game, while there is also a doubt surrounding the fitness of Marouane Fellaini.
Watford have injury concerns of their own as Jose Manuel Jurado looks set to miss out with a hamstring injury, while a calf problem picked up on international duty with Austria is likely to keep Sebastian Prodl on the sidelines.
Watford possible starting lineup:
Gomes, Nyom, Cathcart, Britos, Ake, Anya, Capoue, Watson, Abdi, Deeney, Ighalo
Man Utd possible starting lineup:
De Gea, Young, Smalling, Blind, Rojo, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Mata, Herrera, Lingard, Rooney
Head To Head
United have fond memories of their matches against Watford after winning all four of their previous Premier League meetings and the last nine games in all competitions.
Wayne Rooney scored a brace, while Cristiano Ronaldo and Kieran Richardson were both on target when United beat Watford 4-1 in their last meeting in a 2007 FA Cup semi-final.
We say: Watford 0-2 Man Utd
The Watford supporters will create a great atmosphere as they enjoy one of the biggest days of the season, but the challenge on the pitch will be for the hosts to support Ighalo and Deeney, whose goals have been key. It could prove to be a difficult test for United, who will feel that the first goal is crucial. An early breakthrough will be important, and if United find it, they will be difficult to stop.
No Data Analysis info
