Manchester United vs Brentford: Match Preview and Predictions
With Old Trafford brimming with anxiety after a stuttering start to the season, Erik ten Hag will face a difficult task when Manchester United vs Brentford, a team known lately for scoring almost instantly. Can United shore up their defence and keep Brentford’s early aggression at bay, or will Thomas Frank’s men pounce on their vulnerabilities?
Manchester United return after the international break to face Thomas Frank’s Brentford in the Premier League for a 3 pm kick-off on Saturday. The Bees, currently sitting 11th in the table, have endured a mismatch of fortunes this season, three wins, three losses and a draw. Gaining some notoriety of late for their rapid starts to games, Thomas Frank’s men have scored four goals within the first five minutes of games this season.
Brentford’s tendency to gain attacking momentum at the beginning of games may lead to a more solidified back four for the Red Devils. Ten Hag will look to outclass his Brentford counterpart by exploiting the Bee’s attacking fullbacks, leaving space on the flanks for the United attack, cultivating a recipe for an exciting game with both sides trading blows
Team News – Man United
Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo, arguably two of United’s biggest attacking threats this season, both trained on Thursday, having opted out of international duty with injury and illness.
Kobbie Mainoo will have an extended break, having not featured for England during the break, the 19-year-old will be out with a muscle injury for seven weeks. The teenager has played an average of 82 minutes in seven league games, which was bound to take a toll on the youngster. Harry Maguire also remains sidelined because of an injury sustained in the 0-0 draw at Villa Park
An ever-changing midfield has not helped the form of Mainoo this season, who is one yellow card away from his fifth, which would have seen him receive a one-match ban. The young midfielder is expected to miss 7 games through injury.
Although Noussair Mazraoui had a precautionary heart procedure during the break, the Moroccan took part in Thursday’s training session and will be available for selection come Saturday. Jonny Evans’ display against Aston Villa will leave Ten Hag with a choice to make in the centre of defence, with Lisandro Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt both vying to return to the starting eleven.
With Rasmus Højlund now up to speed, it is assumed he will return to the starting lineup with Rashford on the flank alongside either Amad or Garnacho. The Brentford defence has shipped 13 goals in seven games, with zero clean sheets. The pace of the United wingers will look to take advantage of the absence of Rico Henry and pepper the goal of Mark Flekken.
Manuel Ugarte is a fresh injury concern for Erik Ten Hag’s men with the Argentine withdrawn in Uruguay’s 0-0 stalemate with Ecuador. Former Brentford man Christian Eriksen could be in line to make his fourth start of the season.
Joshua Zirkzee’s fluctuating performances so far this season have seen a disparity of opinions from fans. The former Bologna man has been criticized for his finishing abilities, netting just once this season on the opening weekend against Fulham. Glimpses of his ability have been displayed through some quality touches but his overall involvement in games needs to improve.
Rasmus Højlund also struggled to find the net last year, before he became United’s youngest-ever player to score in six consecutive Premier League matches. Man United fans are aware of the potential of Zirkzee, particularly his build-up play and linking midfield and attack, but the 23-year-old needs to improve in front of goal.
Brentford – Team News
Talisman Bryan Mbeumo will be hoping to sting the Man United defence and continue his goal-scoring form, his six goals this season sees him joint second on the goal-scoring charts, behind Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. The Cameroonian continued his goal-scoring prowess during the international break, where he netted once in two victories against Kenya. The games also saw Andre Onana continue his strong start to the season, conceding once in two games against the Kenyans.
The Brentford midfield is key to unlocking Mbeumo’s pace and physicality. The Dane, Mikkel Damsgaard and captain Christian Norgaard’s link-up play and ferocity in the challenge will be of value to dispossessing the United midfield and releasing Mbeumo and Keane Lewis-Potter.
Yoane Wissa is back in first-team training sooner than expected, it is yet to be seen if he will be available for selection. Rico Henry also played 45 minutes in a behind-closed-doors friendly during the international break, however, he is not up to match fitness as of yet.
The game has come too soon for Mathias Jensen, the Dane hasn’t played since a calf injury sustained during the first international break. Frank hopes to have the midfielder for the visit of Ipswich to the Brentford Community Stadium
The Managers
Erik Ten Hag, the prevailing topic of conversation during this international break, is in desperate need of a result and a convincing performance. The manager will be hoping to avoid a late ‘snatch and grab’ from 2023/2024. The heroics of a certain Scott McTominay last year add to a long list of brilliant individual moments needed recently to secure a victory.
Brentford Manager, Thomas Frank never one to mince his words, replied justly when asked about the pressures facing Ten Hag
“Clearly he’s a good coach. When a team wins, the head coach is great. If a team loses, then the head coach is shit.”
A reminder of the slim distinctions between a hero and a villain in Premier League management. For Ten Hag, the tension will be thick in the air, heightened by the glare of the Old Trafford floodlights. This is a home game for Man United where nothing less than a win will be accepted by the Old Trafford support. Ten Hag has a habit of grinding out a positive result in his time of need.
Who knows what Saturday will have in store for the United Faithful? With rumours connecting him to the United managerial position, Frank is likely feeling quietly confident that a victory on Saturday could transform those whispers into serious conversations among Sir Jim Ratcliffe and the footballing powers.
Prediction Manchester United vs Brentford
Predicted Score: Man United 2-2 Brentford
It is worth remembering, that Brentford’s losses this season have come against Tottenham, Man City and Liverpool. Brentford might strike first given their recent strong performances and brisk openings to games, but the Stretford End will rally United back into this match, making goals a likely outcome. Thomas Frank’s squad will be buzzing if they come away from Old Trafford with all three points, however, a draw feels like a tolerable result for The Bees. As pressure mounts on United, ascending the table from fourteenth is a necessity, the Red Devils will not settle for a draw, but very well may have to.
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