Proper football is back! United travel to West London on Saturday evening to play Thomas Frank’s Brentford, and will bid to keep our Champions League ambitions for next season alive.
a tough place to go to
Brentford sit 15th in the table, but make no mistake about it, the Gtech Community Stadium is a tough place to get a result.
Last time we played there was a horror show; a 4-0 defeat in the second match of the season, and with Brentford getting sucked into this season’s relegation battle, there is everything to play for for the Bees. The dangerous Ivan Toney will be fit to start and on their day, Brentford have goals in them, with the likes of Neil Maupay, Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa all contributing this season. United have conceded the third-most shots per game this season (16.7) and will need to be right at the races to come away with 3 points.
Manchester United Team News and preview
Things are starting to look a little brighter for United on the injury front, with fan-favourite Lisandro Martinez nearing a return – we will have to wait and see if he makes the matchday squad after his lengthy absence.
Amad Diallo is serving a one-match ban for his celebration after that goal against Liverpool, while Harry Maguire will be assessed after returning early from the England camp. Casemiro and Jonny Evans are doubtful, and Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Anthony Martial and reserve keeper Atay Bayindir remain unavailable
If United lose to Brentford, they will set a new club record for league defeats in a single campaign (12). United’s recent record in the capital is poor; we’ve lost 8 of the last 13 in London.
On a more positive note, Rasmus Hojlund could pass Joe Willock to become the youngest player to score in 7 consecutive Premier League matches – he’s the first United player since Ronaldo to score in 6.
Manchester United Predicted Lineup
Onana;
Dalot, Varane, Lindelof, Wan-Bissaka;
Mainoo, Fernandes, McTominay;
Garnacho, Hojlund, Rashford.
Opposition team news and Preview
Brentford have struggled of late, but will be boosted by the return of the sought-after marksman Ivan Toney.
With the likes of Neil Maupay and Yoana Wissa in the team too, the Bees possess a real goal threat. Brentford have most of their typical starting XI to choose from; Sergio Reguilon is suspended following his red card at Burnley, and Ethan Pinnock and Christian Norgaard remain unavailable.
Hovering just 5 points above the drop zone, this is key match for Thomas Frank’s side, and given Brentford’s performance against United here last season and their need for points, they are likely to try to take the game to us.
Leaky at the back; Brentford have kept just one clean sheet in their 14 home league matches so far, while only Sheffield United and Burnley have conceded more goals at their own ground than Brentford’s 29. Interestingly, the Bees have conceded more headed goals than any team this season (17) and rank first for points dropped from winning positions (28).
Form Guide
Manchester United league form: WLLWW
Manchester United (all competitions): WWLWL
Brentford league form: LLDLL
Brentford form (all competitions): LLDLL
Prediction
After the heroics of the Liverpool game, United should rightly be on a high and need to kick on from here and finish the season strongly. We could also be handed a big boost with the return of Lisandro Martinez.
Brentford have struggled for form of late but do score goals, and will know that United will be well aware of what happened in this fixture last season. We expect them to get on the scoresheet but for United’s superior quality to prevail eventually.
Brentford 1-3 Manchester United
