Claudio Ranieri is hoping Moussa Sissoko is able to rise to the occasion for Watford against Manchester United, with some key midfield teammates missing.

Juraj Kucka is definitely out due to a suspension, while Ozan Tufan is unlikely to feature after injuring his knee on international duty, but will be assessed late on.

As a result, the head coach knows how important it will be for him to have his captain playing at his best level in tomorrow's match.

"Now I have to choose the midfield line, but I have very good players to do this and tomorrow I will choose them," said Ranieri.

"For me, [Sissoko] is very important because Moussa is an example for all my players. He always works hard during the training sessions, always tries to help his teammates. He's a fantastic character."

One player who could feature in the midfield is Imran Louza, who scored for Morocco during the international break.

However, Ranieri feels he is not ready to play in his best position just yet.

"Imran Louza, for me the best position is a playmaker in front of the defensive line," he said.

"I saw him in Morocco, he played more forward and I ask him 'why did [Nordin] Amrabat played as playmaker and you played a little forward?' and he told me that the manager wanted him to make the last passes to the strikers. It was a good solution."

Asked if Louza could perform that role for the Hornets, the head coach said: "I think in that role, the Premier League for him, he’s not ready. He's not ready to play up and down, there is another rhythm in that position.

"I think also, maybe in two or three months he can do this also and be this kind of solution."