Watford 0-1 Manchester United Barclays Premier League LIVE: Memphis Depay fires Louis van Gaal's side ahead early on

A mistake from a Watford defender lets Depay in behind, but he takes far too long to decide what to do, and in the end, when he crosses it, it comes to nothing.

A third United change, their first not enforced, and Juan Mata is replaced by Andreas Pereira. 

That's David de Gea's third important save of this second half, and comfortably the easiest, but Deeny really should have made him work harder there. 

After Ighalo caused trouble in the United defence it dropped to the home skipper, who hammered it at goal, but straight into De Gea's stomach. 

Jesse Lingard has also been booked, apparently, although I didn't see what for. United rocking somewhat. 

This time Young is the man stopping a quick break, rather than being stopped, bringing down Paredes as he stormed through the middle of the park following a Mata corner.

Carnage in the United box, as first Capoue, and then Deeney almost get in behind. Both are denied, but after De Gea comes, and then retreats, the ball falls to Abdi 14 yards out.

It takes a deflection but De Gea shows unthinkably good reflexes to pull off a simply astonishing save. That was unbelievable. Watford will think they should be level. 

Our first booking of the day, and it's a fairly obvious one, as Ben Watson stops a United counter by bringing down Ashley Young.

Also a change for each side, Phil Jones goes off injured - yet another United injury - and Paddy McNair replaces him. For Watford it's Paredes for Nyom. 

Watford now having more and more of the ball, but they are very open to the counter, as Lingard shows. He takes the ball of Anya, and breaks before feeding Mata. 

Mata finds Depay, and his shot is just wide. That was close to a second for the young Dutch forward. 

Etienne Capoue, take a bow. Down by his own corner flag the holding midfielder nips in to take the ball off Lingard, before spinning, and nutmegging the United man. Superb. 

It sets off a counter attack too, but Phil Jones is across to cover. 

It's all Watford all of a sudden. A corner is flicked on, and Ighalo volleys goalwards, but it's blocked. Really positive from the home side. They aren't done yet.

That said, between those two chances, they did produce a foul throw - which is absolutely inexcusable at this level!

Out of nothing, Watford are almost level! Ake does really well down the left, and his cross is laid off to Deeney on the edge of the box. 

The Watford captain catches the ball so cleanly, but it's a bit straight, and David de Gea does enough to push it away. That could have been an equaliser. 

You can't say he lacks confidence! Depay tries another shot from outside the box, but this one - from 22 yards - is shocking. Drifts out of play near the edge of the penalty area!

That Gomes save from Lingard was only denied what would have been the second goal of the game, from just the second shot on target. For all their improved football - and there has been some - they haven't created all that much clear-cut. 

They almost find a way through here though, after Ake fouls Mata there is a good advantage, and Phil Jones finds himself in the box, but his shot is deflected to Gomes.

United pouring forward at the start of this second period - Cathcart has to make a last-ditch tackle to deny Depay, then Schweinsteiger tries his luck from range, but it's high and wide.

Watford really haven't got going since the break. 

Gomes is the only thing that has stopped United going two ahead. Capoue gave the ball away in midfield, Depay played in Lingard, but, one-on-one, the Brazilian keeper denied him at the near post. 

A very fine save, but United could have wrapped this up within 60 second-half seconds.

A change for Watford at the break, as Nathan Ake comes on for Jurado - the only change coming into this game has now been reversed.

United get us back underway.

It is now 476 minutes since Manchester United conceded in the Premier League - and that was Arsenal's third goal in their demolition at the Emirates.

But Hull City's championship record of 551 minutes has been broken this afternoon, so it can be done.

Almost time for the second half, where Watford will be out to do it.

So, what did you make of that? United look to be very comfortable - a bit more fluent than in recent weeks, and playing good football in patches.

Watford, for their part, don't look like scoring. But, at just one-nil, this is far from over. 

A late corner for Watford is cleared with relative comfort, and United go into the break a goal up.

Anthony Martial may not be fit to play, but he is watching and sending his congratulations to team-mate Memphis Depay - via Twitter!

A slightly nervous moment for Gomes in the Watford goal, the former Spurs keeper scuffing a clearance straight to a United man - but Mata was offside, so he gets away with it. 

A little edge to the atmosphere as a few niggly fouls aren't given - that's really the first time the crowd have come alive here. 

Memphis Depay has drifted in and out of this game, but he still looks the most dangerous palyer on the pitch. 

This time, cutting in off the left wing, he shoots from near 30 yards, a low, rasping drive, that Gomes has to turn around the post. 

He was given much to much time and space there, but good play from Depay.

It's taken almost 36 minutes, but Watford have had a chance. Nyom beats Blind far too easily down the right, and although his cross is headed out, it falls to Capoue on the edge of the box.

The Frenchman has a go, but it's over the bar. Still, it was at least a shot!

How has that not gone in? A United corner is whipped in to the near post, flicked on across the face of goal, and somehow not turned in at the far post. 

It could have been either player at the back who got the touch, but it runs away safely. Very nearly two-nil.

Yes, it is very much a back three/five - and so far it seems to be functioning, catching Ighalo offside and then denying Troy Deeney a route in behind. 

Watford have not troubled David De Gea once yet, and we've now played half an hour. 

The back three! It's back! Although not sure Van Gaal needed yet another injury to add to an ever-growing list...

Some pretty ugly defending from the home side, as United put a free kick into the box - there were at least three chances to clear that, but in the end Schneiderlin is allowed a volley from pretty close range.

Well over the bar, thought, from the Frenchman.

Unlike in previous weeks, United look happier to put the ball into the box when they have it in wide areas. 

A problem for Van Gaal now though, Ander Herrera has pulled up with a hamstring injury, and he's going to have to go off. Marcos Rojo comes on for him, which should see Blind move into midfield. 

In fact, it looks like a back three... watch this space.

What a piece of skill this is from Odion Ighalo! After Ashley Young is robbed, Watford break at pace, two on two on the edge of the United box.

Troy Deeney's pass to his strike partner slows the momentum, but just when the chance looks gone Ighalo pulls off an outrageous turn to beat Schweinsteiger. He's absolutely done him. 

The shot, though, is wide of the near post. But that's not really the point, it was a magic moment!

So much more purpose about United today - this is a real step up from Louis van Gaal's side, and the absence of Wayne Rooney will not have gone un-noticed!

Watford are not usually an easy side to break down, but United, so far, look in complete control. 

Who needs strikers anyway, eh? Proper finish that, on the shoulder and sneaking in between defenders. 

That was Depay's first goal since December, and will have delighted Louis van Gaal, who needed his man to step up given the absences up front for United.

Now, what do Watford have in response? They don't score too many, so you'd fancy the message might be to keep it tight for a bit...

Just when I was typing that United have dominated without having a real shot, they go ahead. A lovely goal, too.

Ander Herrera drifts a superb cross in behind the defence and Depay runs in behind, meets it first time, and volleys home emphatically. Very nicely taken.

Interestingly, United are playing a lot more positively than they have been in recent weeks - against Crystal Palace and West Brom before the international they dominated possesion, but did little with it.

Today they are really using the pace of Lingard and Depay to stretch the hosts - who are pressing them very hard when they have the ball. 

Not too many clear-cut chances yet, but a change of style? Ashley Young, playing at right back, floats a cross miles out of play. 

Depay - United's front man - stationed outside the box at their first corner. Hmm. 

La Marseillaise boomed out here and United fans in one pocket of the ground belting a rendition of Ooh-aar Cantona.

A little bit messier down the other end, as two high balls cause - if not panic, then mild worry - on the edge of the United box. It's cleared in the end though.

United come forward again, and after a dangerous, jinking Depay run down the left, Nyom almost scores an own goal with a horrible shanked clearance that lands on the roof of the net. 

A very bright start from United, with Jesse Lingard looking to use his pace to get in behind -and it almost worked. Then Juan Mata crossed towards Depay, but neither he, nor the young England U21 international coming in behind him, could make good contact.

So, the French national anthem rings around Hertfordshire - and while very few joined in, unlike at Wembley, there were several French flags around the ground, and it looked a touching moment for Morgan Schneiderlin and Etienne Capoue.

A rousing round of applause at the end, too. 

Troy Deeney and Chris Smalling lead their teams out - kick off is just five minutes away. Welcome back, Premier League football - we've missed you so much!

Grass looks like it's been left to grow over the international break, which to some may be interesting. Maybe I'm one of those people. 

A reminder, before we turn our attention fully to football, of how difficult today may be for the Manchester Untied midfield. 

Both Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin played in the France vs Germany game which was marred by events in Paris the Friday before last - credit to them for being able to play today. 

We will, here and at every Premier League ground today, be hearing La Marseillaise before kick off. 

Big afternoon for Memphis Depay. Up front on his own and a real opportunity to prove any doubters wrong. Boy, does Louis van Gaal need him to perform today. 

As an aside, Darren Anderton's here with his little girl. Sat on the front row - presumably he's paid!

After football came under attack, first in Paris and then elsewhere, last week, there is, as you might expect, quite a security presence at Vicarage Road today.

You can see the heightened protection offered to Louis van Gaal as he arrives at the ground.

A few words from the Watford manager now, the absurdly charismatic Quique Sanchez Flores.

He has thanked the home crowd for being 'very supportive' during home games, and explained that he has picked his team today, aside from Odion Ighalo, based on those who trained with him during the international break.

That's a luxury a manager like Louis van Gaal doesn't have, of course.

'We are training every day to be better than the last match,' he said. 'We need all our best tools if we want to win here today.'

Now I'm prone to a spot of melodrama, but it is Arctic here at Vicarage Road - only warmed by the sight of United's bench. Isn't it a young one?

And where are the matchwinners if they need someone later? 

As ever, I'm looking for you to get involved, either by tweeting me or commenting below. A lot of chat so far about the team selection, and plenty of you asking why James Wilson isn't being given a chance.

'absolutely disgusting the way LVG has treated Wilson are2strikers injured and he stil doesnt get a game should of let him go on loan but he wanted to keep him for cover but heree the chance yet he's starting that useless tool up top,' says Steve_D

But facts247 is focusing on the positives: 'very proud to have so many academy players in the team, LVG keep giving chances to the youth we might discover something special.'

Keep the comments coming, and I'll try and get through as many of them as I can!

Louis van Gaal has just spoken to the TV cameras, and, as you might expect, he was asked about the terrible events in Paris last week, and how his players who were caught up in them - Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin - have been affected. Here's what he had to say:

'It's a tragic event, what happened and we have spoken about that. As always the question is if you can play or not, if you can focus. The players have said that they could focus.'

The United manager also spoke about his selection, and the decision to play Memphis Depay up front.

'I don't have many options this weekend, so it's not easy for me,' he said. 'It is difficult of course, but you have to look (at the game) because maybe you can see it how we play.

'I'm very happy when he (Depay) scores because it shall give him a big boost, and he needs that also.

'I hope that he shall score, but it doesn't matter who is scoring, Manchester has to score.' 

So, with a depleted United side arriving at Vicarage Road, this might be the best chance Watford get for some time to beat Louis van Gaal's side.

The last time the Hornets beat Manchester United was September 1986. Just to put that into context, Bastian Schweinsteiger is the only player starting for United today who was even born then. He was two.

It is also traditional, in such circumstances, to remind people what was No 1 on the date this last happened - and it's a cracker: The Communards - Don't leave me this way. Enjoy! 

Is today the day a star is born? Will Marcus Rashford make his Manchester United debut, perhaps even score off the bench? Or are we getting a little ahead of ourselves?

Here is everything you need to know about the 18-year-old...

Ok, time to look at that United team in full, and it's an interesting one - as is their bench, which features four youngsters you may not have heard of!

Sean Goss - a tidy midfielder in the style of Michael Carrick - and Marcus Rashford - the U19 captain and a striker - are both on the bench, which looks pretty thin.

Manchester United: De Gea; Young, Jones, Smalling, Blind; Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger; Mata, Herrera, Lingard; Depay

Subs: Romero, Rojo, McNair, Darmian, Goss, Pereira, Rashford

Right, here is the Watford team, and there is just one change to their last game, a narrow defeat by Leicester, as Jose Manuel Jurado replaces Nathan Ake.

The striking pair of Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo will be out to ruin Manchester United's superb defensive record.

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

Subs: Arlauskis (GK), Oulare, Paredes, Ake, Guedioura, Ibarbo, Diamanti

We all know about Manchester United's injuries, but what does that mean for the team? No Rooney. No Martial. No Fellaini.

Memphis Depay starts up front, and four youth players on the bench! Full teams to come shortly.

It a truth universally acknowledged that no-one actually cares about international football outside of major tournaments. So, after two weeks of sporting tedium, I'm sure you're all just as excited as I am about the return of STUFF THAT MATTERS!

Yes, the Premier League is back! Thank God!