Manchester United welcome Thomas Frank’s Brentford to Old Trafford this weekend, searching for their first win in over a month.
Meanwhile, the visitors will be looking to extend their remarkable record of netting in the opening two minutes of a match, a statistic they have achieved in each of their last four Premier League games.
United’s injury list is extensive and they could be without as many as 10 senior players for their clash against the Bees.
Midfield pairing Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte are both major doubts whilst Harry Maguire joined the long list of injured defenders after picking up a knock against Aston Villa.
Thomas Frank could be dealt a potential injury boost as Yoane Wissa faces a late fitness test to deem whether he has recovered from an ankle injury.
Danish duo Mikkel Damsgaard and Christian Norgaard have reportedly overcome the issues they sustained in their thrilling 5-3 victory over Wolves, but Saturday’s game comes too soon for Mathias Jensen and record signing Igor Thiago.
Manchester United vs Brentford – Match Preview and Team News
Form
Manchester United: DDLDD
The Red Devils are enduring a barren run of form and are winless in their last five matches.
The pressure is mounting on Erik ten Hag and a negative result against Brentford could see his position come under serious scrutiny.
Following humbling home defeats at the hands of Tottenham and Liverpool, the Dutchman bought himself some time with hard-fought draws away at Porto and Aston Villa.
Back in #PL action to face the Bees 🔴🆚🐝#MUFC || #MUNBRE
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 19, 2024
But the brutal fact of the matter is that Manchester United lie in 14th position after seven games, the club’s worst start to a Premier League season.
Furthermore, scoring only five goals in those seven matches is a damming indictment of the side, with only Southampton having scored fewer goals. Ten Hag will be thankful for the fortnight break, which offered respite for a team looking bereft of belief.
Brentford: LWLDW
Under Thomas Frank, Brentford have established themselves as a consistent Premier League outfit and this campaign is further proof that the West Londoners belong amongst England’s elite.
The Bees were dealt a tough set of early fixtures on the road with away trips at Liverpool, Manchester City, Tottenham and now Manchester United.
🚆 All aboard
Next stop: Manchester pic.twitter.com/d1Grb6J4tc
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) October 18, 2024
Despite not collecting a point from any of those games so far, Brentford have still competed and they took the lead away to City and Spurs.
Prior to the international break, Brentford put five past Wolves with Bryan Mbeumo recording his sixth league goal in seven games.
Last Meeting: Brentford 1-1 Manchester United, Premier League, 30th March 2024.
It was a stoppage-time drama at the Gtech Community Stadium back in March as both sides netted in the dying embers of the match.
Mason Mount thought he had claimed all three points for the Red Devils when he struck his first goal for the club in the sixth minute of additional time to send the travelling fans into bedlam.
However, Kristoffer Ajer and Brentford had other ideas as the Norwegian emphatically dispatched from close range three minutes later to ensure the Bees salvaged a point.
During the 90 minutes, Brentford bombarded the United goal and Andre Onana had to stay alert to preserve his clean sheet, including an excellent double save in the second half.
The hosts then came agonisingly close to an opening goal as Ivan Toney smashed the crossbar with an improvised effort.
But it was to be a chaotic ending, as Mount’s goal came against the run of play to seemingly snatch victory for Manchester United until Ajer’s late leveller.
Predicted Lineups
Manchester United: Onana; Dalot, De Ligt, Evans, Martinez; Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes; Garnacho, Rashford, Hojlund.
Brentford: Flekken; Ajer, Pinnock, Collins, Van den Berg; Janelt, Norgaard, Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Carvalho; Wissa.
Who is the referee?
Sam Barrott is the match official. He will be assisted by Lee Betts and Steve Meredith while will Gavin Ward be the fourth official. The VAR is David Coote and he will be assisted by Akil Howson.
What TV channel is Manchester United vs Brentford on?
Manchester United vs Brentford will not be available to watch live in the United Kingdom.
What time is kick off?
Kick-off at Old Trafford will be at 15:00 BST on Saturday 19th October 2024.
Odds
Manchester United – 7/10
Draw – 3/1
Brentford – 7/2
