Manchester United brought their 2017-18 Premier League campaign to a close with a 1-0 win over Watford at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.
United had already secured second spot in the Premier League table ahead of the match, but collected all three points on home soil ahead of the FA Cup final against Chelsea next weekend.
Read how it all unfolded in Sports Mole's minute-by-minute live commentary of the action below.
2.01pmAfternoon all! Sports Mole's live Premier League coverage comes from Old Trafford as Manchester United welcome Watford. So, it is the final matchday of the 2017-18 Premier League season. This game is not particularly big in the grand scheme of things, but United will be keen to return to winning ways ahead of the FA Cup final. Stay tuned for the action!
2.04pmUnited recorded a 4-2 victory when they travelled to Vicarage Road earlier this season, while they were 2-0 winners in the corresponding Premier League match last term. Watford have never actually won a Premier League game at Old Trafford, with their sole success in the top flight occurring at Vicarage Road in September 2016. The omens are not the best for the Hornets!
2.07pmRight, without further ado, let me bring you up-to-speed with the all-important team news from Old Trafford. United were in action at West Ham United on Thursday night - drawing 0-0 with the Hammers. Watford, meanwhile, beat Newcastle United 2-1 last weekend. Jose Mourinho promised to ring the changes once again; has that occurred? Let's have a look at the two XIs here...
2.10pmTEAMS!
UNITED: Romero; Darmian, Bailly, Rojo, Blind; Carrick, McTominay; Mata, Sanchez, Young; Rashford
WATFORD: Gomes; Janmaat, Cathcart, Kabasele, Holebas; Doucoure, Hughes; Deulofeu, Pereyra, Richarlison; Gray
2.13pmMan United boss Jose Mourinho has made nine changes to the team that started against West Ham on Thursday night. Indeed, only Scott McTominay and Alexis Sanchez keep their spots in the XI. Sergio Romero starts between the sticks, while Matteo Darmian and Daley Blind are in for rare starts at the back. It will be a very special afternoon for a certain Michael Carrick as the club captain features for the last time before retiring to become a staff member at Old Trafford.
2.16pmAs for Watford, head coach Javi Gracia has made three changes to the team that started against Newcastle last weekend, with Heurelho Gomes, Gerard Deulofeu and Richarlison coming in for Orestis Karnezis, Etienne Capoue and Troy Deeney. There is also a spot on the bench for former Chelsea midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah, who has missed the last eight months through injury.
2.19pm
Today, @Carras16 calls time on an illustrious career which has included 463 appearances, 18 trophies and 12 years of impeccable service at #MUFC.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 13, 2018
Here's to you, captain! 👏 pic.twitter.com/kmA6ANOeNi
2.22pmSo there we have it. The two teams are in, and we are now just about 40 minutes from kickoff in Manchester. I shall speak about the away side a little bit later, but let's first discuss United. As mentioned above, Mourinho's team will enter the match off the back of a goalless draw at West Ham.
2.25pmTo be honest, the clash with West Ham was absolutely rotten. Neither team really wanted to claim all the points, and it finished goalless at the London Stadium. The point was enough for United to secure second position in the Premier League table, however, and Liverpool and Chelsea will go head-to-head for the fourth and final Champions League position this afternoon.
2.28pmUnited are actually without a win in their last two Premier League matches having lost at Brighton & Hove Albion last Friday. The Red Devils were also recently beaten by West Bromwich Albion on home soil, but they have won 14 of their 18 home league fixtures this season – conceding just nine times, which is the best defensive home record in the division.
2.32pmMartial is not with the United squad today, and it is understood that the Frenchman is injured.
Reporting for final-day duty! #MUFC pic.twitter.com/Ujn7gCVo28
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 13, 2018
2.35pmSecond position represents United's highest finish since Sir Alex Ferguson left the club, and they will have the chance to win the FA Cup against Chelsea next weekend. A number of fans are not happy with Mourinho's style of football, however, and we are not exactly expecting a glut of goals this afternoon despite Watford's absolutely rotten away form in 2018.
2.38pmThis afternoon will be extremely special for Michael Carrick as the United captain prepares to make his 464th and final appearance for the Red Devils. The midfielder will retire from football this summer to join Mourinho's coaching staff, and it will be brilliant to see the 36-year-old in action one final time - what a player. Kickoff at Old Trafford is now just around 20 minutes away!
2.42pmAs for Watford, the Hornets will enter the match off the back of a 2-1 win over Newcastle last weekend. The victory secured their spot in the Premier League for another season, and it was the first time that they had collected all three points since overcoming West Brom at the start of March.
2.45pm
👊🏽 | All set at Old Trafford for the last #watfordfc game of the season! #MUNWAT pic.twitter.com/RMQKuDMt7r
— Watford Football Club (@WatfordFC) May 13, 2018
2.48pmWatford are one of four Premier League teams currently on 41 points, and they could finish as high as 10th depending on other results this afternoon. That said, they could also end the campaign down in 15th. We have it all covered on Sports Mole this afternoon, so be sure to stay tuned!
2.52pmIt would not be right to discuss this match without mentioning Watford's unbelievably poor away form in 2018. Indeed, the Hornets have lost each of their last five away games in the Premier League without scoring a single goal. In fact, the London club have not registered on the road since 2 January, and have netted just twice in their last 11 away matches. Quite something!
2.55pmWatford's last away Premier League win was at Newcastle at the end of November, and it would be a huge shock if they collected all three points this afternoon. That said, Gracia has selected an attacking team, and United have not exactly been in wonderful form in recent weeks.
2.58pmHere we go then; both sets of players have joined us on the pitch ahead of kickoff at Old Trafford. Carrick is sporting the famous armband for one last time. Game on!
0 minKICKOFF! United kick things off at Old Trafford...
2 min... Blind is actually playing in midfield for United this afternoon, with Young at left-back. As expected, the home side have had the ball in the first two minutes as Watford sit in their shape.
4 minCarrick looks to release Rashford with a through pass, but the ball just runs away from the England international at the vital moment. Just a reminder that there is no Martial for the home side this afternoon, with the Frenchman picking up a small injury in training on Friday morning.
6 minJust a few signs that Watford are settling here as they enjoy a period of possession in United's half of the field. Gray makes a run beyond Bailly and almost meets a through pass from Hughes, but Romero is out to make the claim. Still goalless with six minutes on the clock here.
8 minDecent stuff from Watford in the last few minutes as they continue to move the ball in the final third. United are trying to release Rashford early, but have not had much luck early on here.
10 minBOOKING! Rojo (United) is booked for a rash challenge on Richarlison.
11 minRicharlison misses the crossbar with a free kick from distance.
13 minThere is no question that Watford are capable of causing problems this afternoon, with Deulofeu, Gray and Richarlison all present in the final third of the field. There has not been too much for the United fans to get excited about in the first 13 minutes of this match.
13 minRashford flashes one well wide of the post from outside the box.
15 minPretty scrappy period of the match in the last couple of minutes as the referee is forced to intervene following a number of late challenges. There is no real flow to the game at the moment.
17 minHalf-chance for the home side as Mata finds Sanchez free at the far post, but the Chilean's effort was always missing the post. A wonderful pass from Carrick had started that move.
19 minKabasele is currently off the pitch receiving some treatment after clashing into the boards behind the goal. The number 27 had a nasty twist, and he might not be able to continue here.
20 minKabasele is back on the field, which is great news for Watford.
21 minKabasele is back on the ground; Watford are going to have to make a change.
21 minWATFORD SUB! Mariappa replaces Kabasele for the away side.
23 minAnother Carrick pass sends Young away down the left, but Watford defend the cross once again. Not an awful lot for the United supporters to get excited about in the first 23 minutes of this match.
25 minGomes takes a risk at the back and Rashford almost makes contact on the Watford goalkeeper's kick, but the away side manage to clear their lines. Still goalless with 25 minutes on the clock.
27 minWatford have the chance to break through Richarlison, who has too much pace for Darmian, but United manage to clear their lines following a corner. It has been a very even game thus far, with Watford more than holding their own. To be honest, United have been poor this afternoon.
30 minLittle over 15 minutes of the first period remaining, and it has not been great.
32 minCouple of half-chances for United in quick succession, but Sanchez is beaten to a Rashford cross by Mariappa before Rojo turns wide from the resulting set piece. Better from the home side.
34 minGOAL! United 1-0 Watford (Rashford)
35 minUnited make the breakthrough in the 34th minute of this match as Mata collects a through pass before smartly laying the ball into Rashford, who simply cannot miss from close range!
37 minCarrick has been an absolute joy to watch in this first period. Wonderful.
39 minLittle over five minutes of the first period remaining, and while it has not been the best game, the chance to watch Carrick one more time has been an absolute joy. Watford have had their moments, however, and will be confident of causing problems as time progresses here.
41 minIt will be very interesting to see which changes Mourinho makes in the second period ahead of the FA Cup final next weekend. I would be surprised if Sanchez played the full 90 minutes here.
44 minSAVE! Wonderful save from Romero to keep out a Richarlison header! The Brazilian had found himself free inside the United box, but Romero made a super save!
45 minEasier save for Romero this time as the Argentine keeps out a powerful Deulofeu strike.
45+1 minWe are into the first of two additional minutes at the end of the first period here.
45+2 minHALF-TIME: United 1-0 Watford
3.48pmSo there we have it. The referee brings the first period to a close with United leading Watford 1-0 courtesy of a close-range Rashford finish in the 34th minute. The goal was actually United's only shot on target in the first period, but Watford managed two shots on target from three attempts in the opening half of action. Just the one yellow card - Rojo in the ninth minute for the hosts.
3.53pmBENCH WATCH! United have the likes of Herrera, Jones, Shaw and Valencia on their bench this afternoon, and it will be very interesting to see how Mourinho uses his bench in the second period. Watford, meanwhile, have attacking options in the shape of Chalobah, Deeney and Sinclair. That said, the Hornets have already made one change here - Mariappa replacing the injured Kabasele.
3.58pmHALF-TIME SCORES! Burnley 1-0 Bournemouth, Palace 0-0 West Brom, Huddersfield 0-1 Arsenal, Liverpool 2-0 Brighton, Newcastle 1-0 Chelsea, Southampton 0-0 Man City, Swansea 1-2 Stoke, Tottenham 1-2 Leicester, West Ham 1-0 Everton. Swansea are heading down!
46 minRESTART! Watford resume the action here...
47 min... no changes from either side at the break, which is not too much of a surprise. However, I suspect that both manages will have alterations in mind as the second period develops here.
49 minHalf-chance for the away side as Gray's presence causes problems inside the United box; Pereyra eventually has an effort towards goal, but the ball was always wide of the post.
51 minSmart work from Sanchez in a wide position as the Chilean works some space before crossing towards Rashford, but Mariappa is on hand to make the clearance. Still 1-0 to the home side.
51 minWatford have another injury problem here as Gray hits the deck following an aerial challenge.
53 minAs mentioned before the match, Watford's record of scoring away goals in 2018 is absolutely terrible, and therefore United will fancy their chances of winning this match even if they do not find a second goal. That said, the intensity from the home side since the break has been good.
55 minBit of possession for Watford as United sit in their shape here.
57 minLittle over 30 minutes of football remaining, and we are entering the stage of the match where both managers will be considering alterations. When will Carrick receive his standing ovation?
58 minBOOKING! Young (United) is booked for a foul on Janmaat.
60 minLuke Shaw will soon enter the field for the home side.
60 minUNITED SUB! Shaw replaces Young for the home side.
62 minNot an awful lot happening at the moment as Watford enjoy the ball without really threatening to cause United problems. Mata then loses the ball down the other end of the field.
63 minWATFORD SUB! Deeney replaces Deulofeu for the away side.
65 minRashford looks to release Mata in a dangerous position, but the attacker had moved too soon, and the offside flag is raised. Little over 25 minutes of football remaining in this match.
67 minWonderful work from Sanchez as the attacker finds space inside the Watford box before chipping a pass towards Mata, but the ball just runs away from the Spaniard!
69 minBOOKING! McTominay (United) is booked for a foul on Richarlison.
70 minLet-off for United as Gray is just ruled offside after Hughes had closed down a Rojo pass!
72 minWATFORD SUB! Chalobah replaces Gray for the away side. It has been a very frustrating season for Chalobah due to injury, but the midfielder is back for the final 15 minutes or so here.
74 minLittle over 15 minutes of the second period remaining at Old Trafford.
76 minRojo has to clear a low cross from Hughes as Watford look for a leveller here. In truth, it has been a nothing second period; let's hope for some excitement in the latter stages.
77 minUNITED SUB! Herrera replaces Blind for the home side.
79 minLittle over 10 minutes of the second period remaining at Old Trafford.
81 minSanchez heads Carrick's long pass towards Rashford, but the attacker takes too long on the ball, and Watford manage to clear their lines. Still 1-0 with 81 minutes on the clock here.
83 minRicharlison races away for Watford down the left before driving into the United box, but Rojo is across to make a wonderful challenge. Still time for the visitors to find a leveller here.
85 minAbdoulaye Doucoure heads into the arms of Romero from close range. Carrick is still on the field, but he will be brought off to a standing ovation in the next few minutes here.
85 minUNITED SUB! Carrick is replaced by Pogba. He was sensational!
88 minThe match is drifting into its final moments here, and it does seem that Rashford's first-half goal will be the difference between the two teams. It has not been a classic, far from it!
89 minMcTominay is in some discomfort here as he holds his head.
90 minMcTominay is currently having some eye-drops on the side of the pitch.
90+1 minWe are into the first of three minutes of stoppage time here.
90+3 minTime is running out if Watford want to score a leveller here. The Hornets have the ball, but we are into the final stages, and United's defence is well set. Looks to be a 1-0 game here.
90+3 minBOOKING! Shaw (United) is booked for a foul on Doucoure.
90+4 minFULL-TIME: United 1-0 Watford
4.51pSo there we have it. The referee brings the second period to a close with United recording a 1-0 win over Watford at Old Trafford. Rashford's goal was the difference on the afternoon. Now United march on to the FA Cup final! Thanks for joining our live coverage once again!
