6 losses – our worst start to a season in over 30 years.
But United’s jam-packed fixture list continues this Saturday, as the Reds welcome Thomas Frank’s Brentford to Old Trafford.
After this woeful start to the campaign, defeat here could put Erik ten Hag under real pressure. This is simply a must-win game – anything else would be seen as unacceptable.
United must bounce back
United are staring down the barrel of three home defeats on the spin, and are a club seemingly in chaos – both on and off the pitch.
With our Premier League rivals already way out in front, it’s critical that the Reds turn the tide, lift the mood around the club and get points on the board. Brentford are a good but beatable team on an indifferent run of form.
Defeat on Saturday would have fans and the media asking serious questions of the manager.
A comprehensive win, on the other hand, would lift the mood around the club a little, and would give some hope of a mini-revival.
The Outlook – Neutral
It’s a game United really should be winning comprehensively, but with so many injury and performance issues, it’s hard to see that happening.
Against Galatasaray our defence looked unconvincing; Dalot gave away a goal, Lindeloff was shaky, Amrabat is no full-back and Onana? What’s his game?? It was the second consecutive Champion’s League game to forget for United’s new number one.
Manchester United
We all know about United’s injury issues, particularly in defence, and there isn’t currently news of a return for any of our absentees. The back four looked poor in the Champions League, and we could see Jonny Evans make a return to the starting 11.
Christian Eriksen, Mason Mount and Rasmus Højlund were rare bright sparks and the latter two should both start for United. Mount has been growing into his new role at United and Højlund’s excellent performance – in which he netted 2 goals and almost bagged a hattrick – mean he is a shoe-in to start up top.
Eriksen could be used a high-impact substitute again on Saturday.
Marcus Rashford had another quiet game, but did provide an excellent assist for United’s first goal, and we expect him to retain his place.
We’ve got a few different predicted line-ups over here at Stretford Paddock HQ this week. Let us know your predicted XI in the comments.
Predicted XI:
No more excuses – we need results!
You could make a reasonable case that United were unlucky in the opening few games of the season.
On another day, the results against Brighton, Arsenal, Tottenham and even Bayern Munich could have gone differently; but none of that matters now.
The last two games have seen poor performances and results. A club like Manchester United should be able to get over the line in these sorts of scenarios, regardless of our injury woes.
The time for making excuses or ruing bad luck is over. Saturday must bring a result.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-1 Brentford
We don’t trust the current United set-up to keep a clean sheet, but United do have goalscorers on the pitch. We predict a close, nervy game with few chances, but we think the Reds should just have enough to get over the line and hopefully restore some confidence around the club..
