Ashley Young ready for Watford return with Manchester United

Ashley Young is expecting a tough evening when Manchester United head to childhood club Watford.

The winger-turned-full-back joined the Hornets youth system aged 10 and was on the brink of being released at 16, only to grow and kick on to become a key first-team player.

Young eventually left for Aston Villa in 2007 but Watford retains a special place in his heart, even if the place is almost unrecognisable a decade on.

"I still do know a few (there) and I've still got friends who work there," the United full-back said. "I talk to them now and again and see how things are going.

"Of course I love going back there. I was there from when I was 10 to 21.

"It is where I plied my trade as a kid and I learned the game in my early years so it is always nice to go back there - but it will be even better if we go back there and get three points.

"It's going to be a tough game. The place has changed in the years since I left.

"They are doing well in the league so we know it is going to be another tough game."

Jose Mourinho's men suffered a shock 3-1 loss at Vicarage Road last season and can ill afford a repeat on Tuesday as runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City already boast an eight-point cushion.

Watford are the same distance in terms of points from Mourinho's side, sitting eighth in the standings after a fine start to the campaign under Marco Silva, whose work has piqued the interest of managerless Everton.

"He's proving a good manager," added Young, whose deflected shot secured a 1-0 win against Brighton on Saturday.

"He has got them playing, scoring goals, winning games so they are doing well.

"But I always say we can't concentrate on the other team. We know we are away but we still want to get all the three points."