Kings for a day

The King of Vicarage Road believes Watford can put in a royal performance and cause one of the shocks of The FA Cup at Villa Park on Saturday, despite not being able to take part himself.

Marlon King, who has been out of action with a knee injury since October, is a cult hero at Watford after firing them into the Premier League.

A similar fame awaits his team-mates if they can upset the odds to beat Manchester United and reach The Final at Wembley.

"We can't think about getting to Wembley as we have a hurdle to get past first in Manchester United," he said. "That's a big hurdle, but one we can overcome."

Watford have already faced Sir Alex Ferguson's outfit twice this season. While the Hornets ended up shipping four goals at Old Trafford in late January, it was the much tighter affair in August - a performance which King's team-mates will draw comfort from.

After Ryan Giggs had put United 2-1 up following goals from Mikael Silvestre and Damien Francis, former Gillingham and Forest forward King had a great chance to level late in the second half but could only watch as his looping shot crept past the far post.

"We should have got something when we played them at Vicarage Road in August - it was a close game," King recalled.

But Premier League leaders United are a different side now - just ask Roma. "They are where they are for a reason," added King.

"They are the biggest club in the world and we will give them respect. But we know what to expect from their players.

"If you look at their main players - Rio Ferdinand, Paul Scholes, Wayne Rooney, Louis Saha, Ronaldo, who is on fire at the moment - it's a good chance for our players to go out there and test themselves against the best. It's what you want as a player.

"They are favourites, but once we get out on the pitch, it's one versus one."

King scored 22 goals - the most in one season since Luther Blissett more than 20 years ago - to propel the Hornets into the top flight via the play-off final, and Adrian Boothroyd has certainly missed the Jamaican's prowess in the penalty box.

But the Watford boss will be hoping the in-form Hameur Bouazza, who scored the winner against Plymouth in the last round, can repeat the dose and knock-out United. King, meanwhile, will be cheering from the stands.

"Playing Manchester United, it's The FA Cup, it will be a great day for everyone - the club, the supporters and the players," he said.

Saturday's clash at Villa Park will be the fifth time Manchester United and Watford have done battle in The FA Cup. Watford came out on top the last time the teams met, Jan Lohman scoring the only goal in the 1982 Third Round. Click here to see the previous four meetings.