Spare a thought for Adrian Boothroyd. The Watford manager went to Old Trafford on Tuesday evening to watch Manchester United and he does not know whether to laugh or cry. Watford are United’s next opponents, in the FA Cup semi-final at Villa Park on Saturday, and Boothroyd could be justified in considering throwing in the towel after watching United beat AS Roma 7-1.

“I stopped taking notes and started clapping,” he said. “It was a privilege to be there — to score seven goals in a Champions League game is absolutely mind-blowing.”

Watford, who are bottom of the Barclays Premiership, are huge underdogs and Boothroyd is aware that the odds will be stacked against his players as they attempt to end the season on a high note.

“It would be a major shock if we won — up there with a man landing on the moon,” Boothroyd said. “But a man has done that, so anything is possible. We have a game plan for containing them and we have to make sure that when we get chances we take them. If all our players are at ten out of ten on the day, you never know.” Boothroyd is an optimist, but the Yorkshireman is realistic enough to be accept that a repeat performance by United could embarrass his team.

“If United play like they did against Roma, we wouldn’t have a chance,” he said. “People might say United’s result against Roma was a one-off, but they have had several one-offs this season. They are a truly wonderful side.”