Manchester United will be desperate to return to winning ways and start salvaging their season when they welcome Brentford to Old Trafford on Saturday.
The 2024/25 Premier League season resumes this weekend, with the latest round of fixtures kicking off with a London Derby between Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United. The action on Saturday will continue with five simultaneous fixtures, including Manchester United vs Brentford at Old Trafford.
Manchester United showed some positive signs in their first two games of the 2024/25 season. While the Red Devils lost the Community Shield tie, they looked the better of the two sides. However, Erik ten Hag’s charges have managed only one more win since the season-opening 1-0 victory over Fulham. So, similar issues have resurfaced, and the Dutchman will be desperate to turn the tide amid uncertainties surrounding his future.
As for Brentford, they might have won as many games as they have lost thus far in the 2024/25 Premier League season. However, the Bees have set the stage alight in the early days of the new campaign, with their early goal becoming a trademark of Thomas Frank’s team. Despite not embarking on a winning run, Frank’s charges remain in touch with the high-flyers in the top flight.
The corresponding fixture last season saw Manchester United come from a goal down to beat Brentford 2-1, with Scott McTominay scoring a match-winning brace during the injury time. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News & Tactics
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag has several crushing 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 at least six first-team players.
Kobbie Mainoo is the most notable absentee due to a hamstring injury that will keep him on the sidelines for the next four weeks. The English international will accompany Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro (foot), Harry Maguire (calf), Tyrell Malacia (knee), and Noussair Mazraoui (heart) on the sidelines.
In addition, Erik ten Hag is sweating over the fitness of Manuel Ugarte (muscular) and Alejandro Garnacho (knee). However, Amad Diallo (illness) and Mason Mount (head) should be fit and available to take on Brentford.
Andre Onana is an automatic pick between the sticks, with Manchester United lining up in a 4-2-3-1 formation in front of him vs Brentford on Saturday. The backline should feature Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Lisandro Martinez, and Jonny Evans, with the latter starting as the left-back.
As for the midfield unit, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro pick themselves in a vulnerable pairing in the middle of the park. Bruno Fernandes will reprise the no. 10 role, with Amad Diallo and Marcus Rashford being the two wide attackers. Finally, Joshua Zirkzee will likely lead the line for Manchester United against Brentford.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Onana; Dalot, de Ligt, Martinez, Evans; Eriksen, Casemiro; Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Rashford; Zirkzee
Brentford
Like his counterpart in the Manchester United dugout, Thomas Frank has several issues to worry about ahead of the trip to Old Trafford. The Brentford manager will be without at least six first-team players on Saturday.
Mathias Jensen is the most notable absentee due to a calf injury, although he has resumed training. The Dane accompanies Rico Henry (knee), Aaron Hickey (hamstring), Igor Thiago (knee), Gustavo Nunes (lower back), and Joshua Dasilva (knee) on the backline. However, Christian Norgaard, Mikkel Damsgaard, and Yoane Wissa should be available this weekend.
Mark Flekken will take his usual spot between the sticks, with Brentford lining up in a 3-5-2 formation in front of him vs Manchester United on Saturday. The central defensive unit should feature Sepp van den Berg, Nathan Collins, and Ethan Pinnock. Kristoffer Ajer and Keane Lewis-Potter will be the two wing-backs, with the duo providing width in the final third.
As for the midfield unit, Christian Norgaard will shore up things in the middle of the park, with Mikkel Damsgaard and Vitaly Janelt providing the forward thrust from the central areas. Finally, Kevin Schade and the in-form Bryan Mbeumo should be the two strikers for the away side.
Probable Lineup (3-5-2): Flekken; van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock; Ajer, Damsgaard, Norgaard, Janelt, Lewis-Potter; Schade, Mbeumo
Key Stats
- Manchester United have won their last five home league games vs Brentford by an aggregate score of 13-2, with their most recent defeat at Old Trafford coming in February 1937. Having won four of their first six league meetings with Manchester United between 1933 and 1937 (D1 L1), the Bees have emerged victorious in only one of their ten most recent outings against the Red Devils (D2 L7).
- Manchester United have won just one of their last six Premier League games (D2 L3), failing to score in their three most recent outings. The Red Devils last went four league games without a goal back in April 1989.
- Brentford have lost their three Premier League away games thus far this season. The Bees have not begun a league campaign with four consecutive losses on the road since the 1961/62 campaign when they lost their first nine in the third tier.
- Manchester United have the worst difference between goals (5) and expected goals (11.1) in the Premier League this season, netting around six fewer than the figure their xG suggests. However, they also have the highest difference between goals conceded (8) and xG against (11.5), conceding between 3-4 goals fewer than expected.
- Christian Eriksen has been involved in six goals in his last five games in all competitions (three goals, three assists). Indeed, only Alejandro Garnacho (7) has been involved in more goals for Manchester United this season than the Dane.
Player to Watch
Marcus Rashford
With Manchester United missing several players, Erik ten Hag is down to his bare bones in the first-team squad. However, the offensive department remains at full strength, although Marcus Rashford is the only game-changer in the attacking unit at Manchester United.
The last few days have seen advice coming Rashford’s way, with Jaap Stam urging him to join a better club than Manchester United to resurrect his stuttering career. However, the English international will be eager to prove he is here to stay at Old Trafford by rediscovering his best touch and inspiring the home side to a crucial victory.
Prediction
Manchester United 2-1 Brentford
Saturday’s game will witness a game that might see an early goal and late strikes. The visitors have become the masters of finding the back of the net seconds into a match, with Bryan Mbeumo leading the charge with his exceptional performances.
Meanwhile, four of the five goals in the two Premier League meetings between these sides last season came in second-half stoppage-time (3 for Manchester United, 1 for Brentford). Similar scenes might be on the cards, with Manchester United clinching a 2-1 win after a closely contested affair ends in a much-needed victory for Erik ten Hag and his charges.