Watford will head to Old Trafford with ambitions of replicating the memorable 3-1 home win they enjoyed over Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United in September.

Goals from Etienne Capoue, Juan Zuniga and Troy Deeney ensured Marcus Rashford’s strike proved academic at Vicarage Road.

Defeat that day inflicted United’s third loss in a week, but the reality facing the Hornets tomorrow is a side much improved on their early season malaise.

Tomorrow’s hosts have gone 15 games without defeat in the Premier League, a run which stretches back to a 4-0 defeat to Chelsea in October, but seven draws in that time will give Watford hope.

Stalemates in each of their last two home games will only add to the belief the Hornets can take a positive result away from the Theatre of Dreams.

Watford’s own resurgent form, which has seen them claim back-to-back wins with respective 2-1 victories over Arsenal and Burnley, will also imbue Walter Mazzarri’s side with greater confidence.

The win over Arsenal in particular provides evidence of the Hornets’ ability to perform at the home of one of the country’s biggest sides.

Things in general are looking brighter around Vicarage Road and the recent wins have eased fears of a relegation scrap which surfaced after seven league games without a win.

Their hopes of extending their winning run to three games could well lie in shackling the prolific Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

The Swede took his tally for the season to 20 in all competitions as United eased to a 3-0 win over Leicester City in their last league outing.

He will be out to add to his personal haul in a fixture which has traditionally been cruel to the Hornets.

September’s win ended a sequence of 11 defeats in a row against the 20-time league champions and a solitary Juan Mata goal was the difference on Watford’s last Old Trafford visit.

Victory could see Watford climb one place to ninth in the table, should West Ham fail to win against West Brom at London Stadium.

United, meanwhile, remain focused on securing Champions League football next season, but have seen little reward for their long unbeaten run and occupy sixth position.

Wayne Rooney, Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo are all doubts for United, while Costel Pantilimon and Nordin Amrabat are expected to miss out for Watford.