On their first starts of the season, Jamie Ward and Ched Evans scored the goals that secured United's first win of the Championship season.

United were good value for the victory over the Hornets and the performance perhaps warranted a greater winning margin.

On-loan winger Keith Treacy had a hand in both goals - setting up Ward in the first half and Evans in the second, the Welshman scoring his first for the club.

Ward was recalled after serving his two-match ban and Evans made a first start after his £3m summer move from Manchester City. Bunn, Walker, Morgan and Treacy were all brought back into the starting line-up to face a Watford side that included former United target Smith.

With Henderson also in the team alongside Ward and Evans, Blackwell had the chance to start with a three-pronged attack. Soon after kick off it was apparent that Ward was operating from the right, tracking McAnuff back when the Blades were not in possession.

The diminutive striker needed less than three minutes to fire just over the top with his left foot, whilst, for Watford, Graham lashed a shot well wide.

Ward was prominent in the early stages, obviously keen to make an impression after his enforced lay-off, and he made his presence felt with the opening goal. With 12 minutes gone, Watford were caught napping from a quick free-kick and Treacy comfortably picked out WARD to beat Loach from eight yards out.

Jenkins shot over after Morgan failed to clear but United were clearly on top in the first half hour. Passes from Ward and Howard opened up Watford's defence but a shot from Evans was just wide from 20 yards and then Williamson was forced to clear after Bunn and Evans had instigated a quick break.

Henderson headed over a pacey cross from Evans before Watford came close to levelling. Bunn failed to deal with a corner but when the ball dropped for DeMerit he found four Blades players guarding the goal-line and Walker was the one to kick away.

United were soon back on the attack with Treacy taking a 25-yard pot shot with his right foot and, just before the break, a free-kick routine saw Kilgallon rise highest to meet a Howard cross but the header was just wide.

Just one minute of added time was announced and there was a justifiable warm round of applause for the home players as they headed off for their half-time cuppa.

Watford made a spirited start to the second period, without particularly causing problems for United, and the first chance of the half fell to Ward, whose weak shot was easy for Loach with Henderson in a good position.

Severin fired over but United looked the more dangerous of the two teams - as proved just after the hour when a second goal was added. Treacy was again involved, attacking down the left channel before laying off for EVANS, who cut back onto his right foot, opening up the angle to fire under Loach.

United threatened to open up the floodgates and two chances in the space of as many minutes went begging. Firstly, Ward went clear but was halted when Loach saved with his legs when the striker attempted to go around him and then, after the goalkeeper had dropped Walker's cross, Henderson's half volley, with his unfavoured right foot, flew over the crossbar.

Ward received a rapturous round of applause when he was replaced on 70 minutes and Watford came close to getting back into the game when Graham deflected Severin's shot closer to goal.

Henderson's attempt to add his name to the scoresheet against his former club was thwarted by Williamson's deflection, whilst Treacy was also applauded when his place was taken by Reid soon after.

Cotterill saw his shot strike the base of the post and away to safety and fellow substitute fired wide when finding himself free on the edge of the box with five minutes to go.

United were still attacking as the clock wound down but despite not being able to add to the scoreline, the crowd showed their appreciation of the efforts - when Evans was replaced late on - and then again at the final whistle was blown after three minutes of added time.

Blades: Bunn, Montgomery, Morgan, Kilgallon, Henderson, Evans (Quinn 90), Taylor, Ward (Cotterill 70), Howard, Treacy (Reid 77), Walker.
Unused: France, Bennett, Bromby, Little.

Watford: Loach, Mariappa, Severin, DeMerit, Smith, Graham (Bryan 90), McAnuff (Harley 77), Doyley, Jenkins, Williamson, Ellington (Sordell 72).
Unused: Lee, Hoskins, Eustace, Hodson.