Manchester United full-back Ashley Young expects tough Watford test on return to his boyhood club

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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.

Ashley Young expects Watford to provide a tough test for Manchester United on Tuesday

The then-winger made his breakthrough at Watford after coming through their youth system

'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.

Young was a key contributor to United's 1-0 victory against Brighton at Old Trafford

'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 also praised the efforts of manager Marco Silva, who has helped Watford to eighth

'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.'