Manchester United will be desperate to end their two-game losing run when they welcome Brentford to Old Trafford on Saturday.
The 2023/24 Premier League season will take a break for nearly two weeks after this weekend. But Gameweek 8 will greet us before then, with the latest round of fixtures getting underway with the match between Luton Town and Tottenham Hotspur. The action then continues at Old Trafford, where Manchester United will host Brentford.
Manchester United and Brentford have been two of the most disappointing teams of the 2023/24 season thus far. The Red Devils have taken several steps back after an impressive debut campaign under Erik ten Hag. They have already lost six of their ten games, with the latest setback coming in the UEFA Champions League against Galatasaray.
That defeat has left Manchester United on the brink of exit from the Champions League after falling to the bottom of Group A. Meanwhile, the Red Devils have lost three of their last four home games after embarking on a year-long unbeaten run. As for Brentford, the Bees began the season on a five-game unbeaten run.
While they only won one of those fixtures, they looked solid and ready for a long season ahead. But Thomas Frank’s men are currently on a four-game winless run, losing three of those matches to drop to 14th on the table.
The corresponding fixture last season saw Manchester United eking out a narrow 1-0 win, with Marcus Rashford finding the back of the net. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
ℹ️ The boss has provided an update on @Sergio_Regui ahead of #MUNBRE…#MUFC || #PL
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) October 6, 2023
Erik ten Hag does not have any new injury concerns hampering his preparations ahead of his side’s latest fixture. Against Brentford on Saturday, the Manchester United manager will be bereft of the services of eight first-team players.
Lisandro Martinez (foot) and Luke Shaw (muscle injury) are the most notable absentees, with the duo out for the foreseeable future. The defensive pair accompany Aaron Wan-Bissaka (hamstring), Tyrell Malacia (knee), Sergio Reguilon (hamstring), Kobbie Mainoo (ankle), and Amad Diallo (knee) on the sidelines.
In addition, Jadon Sancho is no closer to returning to action following his run-in with ten Hag. But Antony might make his first start since resuming training with Manchester United last week. The Brazilian international should join Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, and Rasmus Hojlund in the final third.
Antony’s return means Mason Mount will reprise a role in the double pivot, where he needs to put in extra defensive effort. The English international will sit alongside Casemiro in the middle of the park, while Bruno Fernandes will reprise a central role.
Andre Onana came under fire for another error-strewn performance in the UEFA Champions League. But Erik ten Hag has given his backing to the Cameroonian shot-stopper, who will retain his spot between the sticks. Onana will sit behind a backline of Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, and Sofyan Amrabat.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Amrabat; Casemiro, Mount; Antony, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
Brentford
Like his counterpart in the Manchester United dugout, Thomas Frank does not have any new issues to deal with ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. The Brentford manager will be without seven first-team players on Saturday.
Ivan Toney is the most notable absentee, as he continues to serve a suspension that lasts until mid-January. The in-demand English international accompanies Ben Mee (muscle injury), Rico Henry (knee), Shandon Baptiste (shoulder), Joshua Dasilva (thigh), Mikkel Damsgaard (knee), and Kevin Schade (groin) on the sidelines.
Mark Flekken is the first-choice goalkeeper for Brentford, who will line up in a 4-3-3 formation in front of the Dutchman. The visiting team will defend with men behind the ball, with the transitions bringing swift counter-attacks.
💬 Goalscoring
"Every offensive player goes through spells in the season where they are not scoring that regularly. The way I see it they are still working hard for the team, arriving in the right areas and getting on the end of chances" pic.twitter.com/QU688sx5JY
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) October 5, 2023
Aaron Hickey will continue to deputise for Henry on the left flank, with the Scotsman’s position change giving Mads Roerslev the opportunity to make his mark on the right wing. Nathan Collins and Ethan Pinnock will be the two centre-backs for Brentford.
Christian Norgaard, Mathias Jensen, and Vitaly Janelt will forge a solid midfield partnership. The trio will be compact in the middle of the park to frustrate Bruno Fernandes. In addition, Jensen will threaten with his set-piece deliveries.
As for the offensive unit, Neal Maupay will spearhead the Brentford attack against Manchester United. Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa will accompany Maupay in the final third, with the duo being the workhorses for the visitors.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Flekken; Roerslev, Collins, Pinnock, Hickey; Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt; Mbeumo, Maupay, Wissa
Key Stats
- Manchester United have won three of their four Premier League meetings with Brentford, losing the other 4-0. The Bees are yet to score at Old Trafford in the Premier League.
- Manchester United have faced a defeat in five of their past seven games in all competitions. They have lost six of their opening ten matches in a season for the first time in 37 years.
- Brentford are without a win in five Premier League matches (D3 L2). They have dropped a joint division-high eight points from winning positions this season.
- Manchester United have conceded first in their last three home games in the Premier League.
- Brentford have gone six top-flight away games without a win (D2 L4) but are unbeaten in their past six away league London derbies.
Player to Watch
Casemiro
Several Manchester United players have flattered to deceive thus far this season, with one of them being Casemiro. The Brazilian international was a game-changer for the Red Devils after arriving from Real Madrid last summer. But he has seemingly lost a step since then. And his dismissal on Tuesday played its part in Manchester United collapsing against Galatasaray.
The former Real Madrid midfield powerhouse has taken up advanced positions on the field, leaving the defenders exposed. So, he needs to add more steel to his game, even though he threatens going forward. And going back to the basics should serve him and Manchester United well.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-1 Brentford
Manchester United fans will be fretting about the visit of Brentford ahead of the weekend. But a closer look reveals the Bees are also in a spot of bother due to a lack of goals and a vulnerable backline. So, Saturday’s fixture should give a lot of goalmouth action.
The Red Devils will not stop being suspect at the back all of a sudden. So, Brentford should find a way past Andre Onana. But the home side will hit back with two goals from in-form summer signing Rasmus Hojlund, who will score his first Premier League goals. The Hard Tackle predicts a 2-1 win for Erik ten Hag and his charges.