Roy Hodgson not reflecting on past glories as Watford face Manchester United

Watford boss Roy Hodgson insists their win over Manchester United earlier in the season will have no bearing on the return clash this weekend.

Both managers have been replaced since the Hornets shocked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s visitors to win 4-1 at Vicarage Road in November.

The game proved to be Solskjaer’s last in charge of United as he was sacked days later, while Watford manager that day Claudio Ranieri has since also paid the price for poor results.

He was replaced by Hodgson, who has won one of his five matches at the helm with Watford 19th in the table heading into the weekend.

The former England manager may have been forgiven for casting an eye back to how Watford had seen off United but he feels that, given the amount of the water that has gone under the bridge in the past three months, it holds no weight this time around.

“None at all,” he replied when asked how much of a boost his players will get from the win over United earlier this season.

“I’d love to bring back the person who masterminded that victory, put out the same team and hope that lightening strikes twice.

“As far as I’m concerned, past results have no effect whatsoever on future results. It is a different team, possibly, and a different manager and coach in Ray (Lewington) and myself.”

Hodgson also admits he cannot rely on his own good recent form at Old Trafford, having gone unbeaten in his last three matches there as Crystal Palace boss, including winning on his previous two visits.

Asked if there was a secret, he replied: “No, pure fluke or working with a good team maybe!

“Palace were good up there, we had two particularly good games I remember up there against them.

“But I’ve got to say that for me, I’m a great believer in the in the Swedish