Brentford V Manchester United: Preview

Manchester United will be looking to bounce back after their disappointing opening day defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion when they head to London to take on Brentford in the Saturday evening kick-off. The Red Devils lost the game against the Seagulls 2-1. Whilst our opposition had come from behind to secure a draw against Leicester City.

United were undone by Pascal Gross’s first-half double as we had looked to make the best possible start to the league season as Brighton took all three points. Pressure is now on Erik Ten Hag and the players to deliver a better result on Saturday; given this game comes just nine days before our next home fixture against our bitter rivals Liverpool.

United’s Problems Resurfaced Once Again

We had shown some good form in our pre-season fixtures, but the problems we had seen last season with the Red Devils reared their ugly head once again in the first league fixture. Huge improvements are needed if we are to launch an assault on the top four, with Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur all making good starts in the opening weekend of the Premier League.

The new signings Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, and Christian Eriksen all featured in the defeat against Brighton. United, however, are still looking to make some additions to the squad with Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot and PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo being linked with moves to Old Trafford. It is still uncertain as to whether Cristiano Ronaldo will remain at the club as the summer transfer window comes to a close.

Manchester United have not lost to Brentford since February 1938, as we won both the home and away Premier League fixtures last season. Ten Hag will certainly have the players focused on this game. Another defeat would put us in a difficult position ahead of our next game against Liverpool.

Manchester United Team News

For United, Anthony Martial remains a doubt for the game against Brentford having missed the fixture against Brighton because of a hamstring injury. Brandon Williams and Facundo Pellistri remain out through injury. Ten Hag will have to make a decision when it comes to Ronaldo, who came off the bench to feature against the Seagulls. If Martial misses out once again, Ronaldo could be in the starting eleven.

The Portuguese international could potentially replace Scott McTominay, with Christian Eriksen moving back into a deeper role. Raphael Varane and Tyrell Malacia will be looking to push their way into the starting eleven. We are likely to see Luke Shaw retain his place at left back. Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez will be the centre back pairing.

Manchester United’s Predicted Lineup

De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, L Martinez, Shaw; Eriksen, Fred, Fernandes; Sancho, Ronaldo and Rashford.

Opposition Preview

Brentford had been on course for defeat against Leicester City as Timothy Castagne and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s goals had put the Foxes 2-0 up. Ivan Toney had reduced the deficit before Josh Dasilva came up with a late equaliser for the Bees. It will be their first home game of the season against United. It is set to be a busy end to the month as they take on Fulham, Everton, and Crystal Palace in the Premier League as well as taking on Colchester United in the League Cup.

Brentford has been very active in the summer transfer window as they have bought Keane Lewis-Potter, Aaron Hickey, Mikkel Damsgaard, Thomas Strakosha, and Ben Mee into the squad. They did lose Christian Eriksen to United after the Danish international’s contract came to an end. The Bees were impressive in their first Premier League season having picked 46 points from 38 matches to claim 13th place in the table.

Brentford Team News

For our opponents, they will be without Kristoffer Ajer, Sergi Canos, and Ethan Pinnock for this fixture. Josh Dasilva was excellent coming off the bench against Leicester City scoring the equaliser. He will no doubt push to be in the starting eleven. It is likely to be the same side that featured against the Foxes. This will see Ivan Toney in the attacking third with Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa. 

Form Guide

Manchester United Premier League form: L

Manchester United form (all competitions): WWDLDL

Brentford Premier League form: D

Brentford form (all competitions): LDLWWD

Prediction

The United players should be fired up to bounce back after the disappointing defeat against Brighton. Brentford are more than capable of causing us issues. However, we will just have enough quality to come away with all three points.

Brentford 1-2 Manchester United