Defensive errors contributed heavily to United's league defeat at Watford on Tuesday evening.

In the re-arranged Championship fixture at Vicarage Road, the Blades contributed to their own downfall, gifting Tom Cleverley, Heidar Helguson and Don Cowie goals.

Many of the 665 Unitedites that made the trip down the M1 stayed until the end but would have been disappointed with the second defeat in four days.

New loanee Nosworthy started in central defence with Geary at right-back, in for Walker, who was recalled by Spurs. There was no place for Kallio, whose signature was not secured in time for him to feature, although he was at Vicarage Road to watch his team-mates.

The personnel on show suggested either 4-5-1 or 4-4-2 systems and within moments the latter was confirmed with Cresswell partnering Henderson in attack. But it was Quinn, operating on the left, that caused the early problems for Watford, shooting over the top with three minutes gone and then winning the first corner.

Harper's first two set-pieces also gave Watford something to think about whilst a late tackle on Eustace earned the Blades midfielder the first booking of the night. Harper returned to attacking mode on 20 minutes, whipping in a free-kick which resulted in Morgan's header coming back off goalkeeper Loach before Mariappa cleared.

Watford had to wait until the 23rd minute before creating their first chance. A Mariappa throw was allowed to bounce and Helguson's header was pushed away by the stretching Bunn before Morgan completed the clearance. Minutes later Helguson rose highest from a corner but again was off target

Quinn was the second in the referee's book, for a late slide tackle on goalkeeper Loach, whilst the woodwork saved the Blades on 31 minutes. Following a foul by Morgan, 30 yards out, Cleverley curled around the wall and Bunn was delighted to see the ball crash back into play off a post.

Worse was followed, Morgan needed treatment for what looked like a hip problem and then the home side were gifted the lead. On 39 minutes Taylor's delivery into the box caused confusion between Morgan and Henderson, both of whom could have powered away a header, and CLEVERLEY couldn't believe his luck before nodding beyond the onrushing Bunn.

It was the captain's last action as the injury forced him to be replaced by Fortune, with Montgomery taking over with the armband. The couple of first half stoppages forced referee Hill to add five minutes but United were unable to create a chance to pressure Watford.

Blackwell threw on Yeates in a straight swap for Ward at the start of the second half but the Blades came within inches of handing the home side a second. Backpasses from Harper and Fortune were both short but Bunn's attempted clearance was straight at Helguson, who had time and space, but the United goalkeeper recovered to make a save.

More uncertainty in the defence resulted in Taylor firing across goal and just wide but on 55 minutes the Blades did not get away with another error. A clip down Watford's right channel looked harmless but United's white shirts backed away from the ball and it left HELGUSON with the task of beating Bunn from close range.

A frustrated Henderson was booked for a foul on Doyley and was replaced by Evans soon after, whilst Watford's attacks continued. Stewart cut out a cross from Cleverley and then Bunn raced off his line to stop Doyley, who had bundled through the defence.

There was little respite, however, as Watford added a third on 74 minutes. Montgomery was adjudged to have fouled close to the touch line and COWIE curled in a cross-cum-shot which beat everyone and found the net via the far post.

The names of Montgomery and Nosworthy were added to list of players cautioned and in a rare Blades attack Quinn volleyed over.

In the final ten minutes Quinn was unable to take advantage of an error in Watford's back line, shooting at Loach, and Montgomery half-volleyed over at the back post.

However, the best chance of the final moments also fell to the home side but Bunn was on his toes to push over a powerful half-volley from substitute Graham.

Watford: Loach, Mariappa, Lansbury, DeMerit, Cowie, Helguson (Hoskins 81), Doyley, Jenkins (Harley 84), Cleverley (Graham 75), Taylor, Eustace.
Unused: McGinn, Lee, Bennett, Bryan.

Blades: Bunn, Montgomery, Morgan (Fortune 41), Nosworthy, Henderson (Evans 68), Harper, Cresswell, Ward (Yeates 45), Stewart, Geary, Quinn.
Unused: France, Williamson, Bennett, Camara.