Jose Mourinho has claimed that Watford "have an unusual squad for a mid-table team", as he prepares his Manchester United side for their trip to Vicarage Road.

The Hornets have impressed under Portuguese boss Marco Silva this term by winning six and drawing three of their opening 13 Premier League matches.

Silva has merged together a squad with a real intercontinental feel to it, spearheaded by Brazilian attacker Richarlison - arguably the best value signing of the summer.

Ahead of Tuesday night's meeting, Mourinho admits that he has bad memories of his side's last trip to Hertfordshire after falling to a 3-1 loss 14 months ago.

"Against Watford [last year] I was very upset with their first goal," he told reporters. "After some guy sent [Anthony] Martial to the hospital and the referee let it go. That is the reason why I was very, very upset at Watford.

"I think Watford have made progress [since last season]. They have an unusual squad for a mid-table team. They have a squad full of very good players, who are not normal to be in these mid-table teams, they have a good coach. They have improved a lot from last season, too."

Watford have won just five of their 29 meetings with Man United, losing 18 of those.