Watford 3-1 Manchester United: Premier League - as it happened

Well that is about all we have time for on this live blog. Thanks for your company for the first of four Premier League games this afternoon. I shall leave you with this thought:

Wayne Rooney's omission today may not have changed the result or the performance for Manchester United today, but as the captain of his country and club and the supposed linchpin in both teams has there ever been a man with more responsibility, yet sunk into more irrelevance? Goodbye.

Full time: Watford 3-1 Manchester United

Watford claim their first home win of the season and first victory over Manchester United for 30 years with a performance they will do well to better this term. Jose Mourinho suffers three defeats in a row in a single season for the first time since 2002. As good as Watford were, United were dreadful and the position of Wayne Rooney becomes increasingly perilous.

Goal: Watford 3-1 Manchester United (Troy Deeney)

Zuniga fouled by Fellaini as Watford close in on a third. Deeney delivers it with a thumping strike from the spot. Done and dusted with some to spare. Watford on their way to a first home win of the season.

Penalty to Watford

Four added minutes at Vicarage Road.

Time to credit this Watford display, which has been really on point. They have out-muscled United for long periods of this game, and their dynamism and speed has been hard to cope with.

Just 53 seconds seperate Zuniga coming on for Capoue; talk about a substitution at the right time. In fairness, Watford were queuing up in the box to score there. United have been woeful, worse in the second half than the first and a third straight Mourinho loss is looming.

Goal: Watford 2-1 Manchester United (Juan Zuniga)

Just a minute after coming on Juan Zuniga puts Watford back in front with six minutes left. Roberto Pereyra pulls the ball back after running past Fellaini and Zuniga sweeps the ball beyond De Gea. Mazzari delighted with the super-sub.

Gomes keeps out Ibrahimovic, diving to his right as the 34-year-old connects with Fellaini's cross. Best chance we have had since the equaliser.

Ibrahimovic takes aim with a 20-yard free-kick which clips the end of the wall and goes to safety. Wayne Rooney's afternoon continues to baffle as his latest corner again beats everyone in the United box.

A mini goal-mouth scramble as Watford threaten for the first time since being pegged back. Holebas flicks on a free-kick and when United can't clear, De Gea is caught flapping under the high ball again but the home side are unable to take advantage.

United have been much improved since the goal, with Ashley Young the tormentor in chief back at the club where it all began for him. Ibrahimovic is also providing a bit of impetus for the visitors, having set up the equaliser. Watford have retreated somewhat and will be keen to nip this period of dominance in the bud.

Goal: Watford 1-1 Manchester United (Marcus Rashford)

Not sure they have really earned it, but United benefit from a Watford defensive error to equalise. Rashford plays a nice one-two with Ibrahimovic, whose dinked cross evades his strike-partner but when Britos doesn't clear the England forward reacts first and finishes under Gomes.

The second period has started similar to the first; a lack of flow or any real quality to it. Watford will be happy with that though, as they continue to keep United at arms' length.

1986 was the last time Watford beat Manchester United at Vicarage Road but they're 45 minutes away from replicating that feat. Second half underway.

Half time: Watford 1-0 Manchester United

Watford have bullied Manchester United from the outset and deservedly lead through Etienne Capoue's fourth goal of the season. The visitors have been a bit of a shambles at both ends, with the Wayne Rooney conundrum just one of the numerous issues facing Jose Mourinho - who is facing a third straight defeat.

Four added minutes at Vicarage Road. Holebas tests De Gea with a 25-yard free-kick which is easily saved.

Prodl allows a Smalling header to evade him and Ibrahimovic latches onto it, goes to shoot but is closed down by the same Watford defender. Even Watford errors are being recovered.

Mourinho is fuming about the tackle on Martial which both led to the opening goal and the Frenchman's withdrawal. TV relays suggest the challenge from Britos was fair, and Howard Webb wants the benefit of the doubt to be given to the referee. I wonder whether the United boss will be as forgiving?

Ashley Young replaces Anthony Martial, who is forced to go off after his role in the opening goal. Horrid first half for United, perfect in almost every way for Watford.

Goal: Watford 1-0 Manchester United (Etienne Capoue)

Watford deservedly take the lead and it is their top scorer who puts the host ahead. Anthony Martial is disposed by Britos in his own left-back area. The ball falls to Janmaat who has time to pick his head up and is able to pick out Capoue to drives the ball through the legs of De Gea.

More worryingly for United is that Martial, who you will remember was involved in a nasty challenge with Janmaat, is walking away groggily with perhaps some delayed concussion. Surely he can't continue.

That's more like it from the world's most expensive player. Paul Pogba has had an inauspicious start to his United career but he almost gets his first goal with a dipping strike which leaves Gomes motionless, but cracks off the crossbar and away to safety. Stunning effort.

Daryl Janmaat and Anthony Martial have clashed in an aerial challenge where the Frenchman has certainly come off the worse. Both players have received length treatment but are ok to continue.

Chance for United as we reach the mid-way point of the first half. Rashford's deflected cross lands in the path of the Swede, who finds the side-netting with his left-foot strike.

Watford's front two of Deeney and Ighao having plenty of joy against Bailly and Smalling. The captain this time climbs above Valencia and De Gea is forced to punch it away with a fine save.

Another slow start from United and Watford should punish them. De Gea fumbles a high ball after a collision with Chris Smalling and when the ball falls to Ighalo who loses his cool and misses the target with the goal gaping.

If this was a gig, this would be the point in the performance when I would be asking the crowd know any jokes. It has been a pretty underwhelming opening 10 minutes, with the most eye-catching moment coming via Sebastian Prodl's header which agonisingly evades Troy Deeney at the back post.

So Watford have ditched the three at the back and gone 4-4-2, with United old boy Craig Cathcart at full-back and Daryl Janmaat further forward.

The visitors have gone 4-3-3 initially, with Wayne Rooney dropping into a deeper position alongside Paul Pogba and Marouane Fellaini.

Not much to report so far, neither side have really got their foot on the ball.

United get the game underway at Vicarage Road. Robbie Savage polluting the airwaves for the broadcasters. I don't get paid enough for this job.

Troy Deeney had his hands full before kick-off.

England manager Sam Allardyce in attendance for this game. He will be delighted to see Marcus Rashford starting in a wide-right position, and Chris Smalling start for the first time in the Premier League this season. Players on their way out at Vicarage Road.

One reason for Watford's inconsistent start to the season could lie in the squad at Walter Mazzari's disposal. The Hornets boss has already used 22 players this season - more than any other Premier League team. Just the one change this afternoon, so can that continuity ensure they build on the impressive win at West Ham?

Jose Mourinho on BT Sport: "We lost three points but that's the Premier League. We don't always expect to win every game. I analyse every match of Watford and they are a very difficult side. They don't have more points because they lost two matches at home.

"Europa League matches are different, it starts in the motivational side, change a lot of players and it was the first minutes for some players in the season and it's quite predictable. Against City we didn't start well and we were punished by that. In the second half we were very good and were punished by the referee.

"They are all my senior players and I trust them the same but Blind is a different player than Smalling. I try to resist the unpredictability of the game and a team that plays two players up front is very direct and I think it is better for the team to play with Bailly and Smalling."

Watford could surge into the top eight with a win today, while United could go third. Stay with me for more irrelevant stats as the afternoon progresses.

Not sure I'm convinced by this, but nevertheless.

The trajectory of both Watford and Manchester United makes today's Premier League clash particularly fascinating. Mazzari's side claimed their first win of the campaign after coming from two goals down to defeat West Ham; could that be the kick-start their season needed?

United meanwhile have been pretty dismal in losing their last two, in the derby against Manchester City and in the Europa League against Feyenoord - having initially made a 100% start to life under Jose Mourinho. This afternoon promises to be no easy ride either.

So let's wrap up the team news coming out of Vicarage Road. Watford make just one alteration from the win over West Ham, as Sebastian Prodl comes through a fitness test to replace Younes Kaboul - who is injured.

United make five changes from the defeat to Feyenoord in the Europa League, with Marcus Rashford handed his first league start of the season. Wayne Rooney is back as captain, while Luke Shaw, Antonio Valencia and Marouane Fellaini have also been reinstated.

Meanwhile, there is one change for Watford.

Marcus Rashford starts for Manchester United

Manchester United have arrived for an away match in London, which is always reassuring given their recent record....

The performance against Feyenoord proved that there will be no quick fix at Manchester United this season for Jose Mourinho, despite the money which has been invested in the transfer window. The display evoked memories of the dark days of Louis van Gaal's reign in charge and was riddled with simple errors and a rudderless attacking threat. Much better will be demanded today.

There were only five top flight games yesterday but we had a hat-full of goals to enjoy. If you missed anything, take a look at our minute-by-minute live blog which documented each of the 22 goals.

We're expecting confirmation of both teams in around 30 minutes or so, but how might both sides line up this afternoon?

Watford are without Stefano Okaka due to a hamstring injury, while Younes Kaboul and Sebastian Prodl are both doubtful after picking up knocks against West Ham.

Manchester United are likely to recall captain Wayne Rooney, Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia after the trio missed the Europa League loss at Feyenoord. Henrikh Mkhitaryan is expected to miss out.

Jose Mourinho's hope for a honeymoon period at Manchester United have been firmly dashed after two recent defeats, and a third on the bounce this lunchtime at Watford will see the heat crank up on the Portuguese coach. United produced a limp display in Europe in mid-week and with Manchester City threatening to run away from the rest it is vital they lay down a marker.

Watford meanwhile have suffered a dismal start to the campaign under new boss Walter Mazzari, having been knocked out of the League Cup by Gillingham and without a home win this term. A maiden victory of the campaign at West Ham last week has raised spirits but the Hornets could do with a proper kick-start to the season.

Team news and all the build up to the 12pm kick-off on the way.