When Manchester United resume their Premier League campaign against Brentford on Saturday with a late start, they will be looking to recover from their opening-weekend loss to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Last Sunday, the Red Devils home opener for the season ended in a 2-1 loss to the Seagulls, while Brentford’s first game of the season ended in a 2-2 tie against Leicester City after coming from two goals behind.
Last weekend, Brentford appeared to be in for a defeat at the King Power Stadium with goals from Timothy Castagne and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall for Leicester, who had a 2-0 lead in the 46th minute.
However, Ivan Toney cut the deficit in half just past the hour before Josh Dasilva scored a late equalizer for the Bees.
Now that the season has begun, Thomas Frank’s team will play their first home game.
Later in the month, the club will also play Fulham, Everton, and Crystal Palace in the Premier League, as well as go to Colchester United for an EFL Cup match.
Keane Lewis-Potter, Aaron Hickey, Mikkel Damsgaard, Thomas Strakosha, and Ben Mee were all acquired by Brentford during the summer transfer window.
Christian Eriksen, a Danish international who left at the end of his contract, was acquired by Manchester United.
The Bees performed admirably in the Premier League last season, collecting 46 points from 38 games to finish 13th, 11 points above the relegation zone.
They will now attempt to maintain their position at this level of football.
In the league last year, Man United triumphed in both meetings between the two teams, first winning 3-1 in London and then 3-0 at Old Trafford near the conclusion of the last season.
In their season opener against Brighton last weekend, Man United would have hoped to get off to the greatest possible start.
However, the Red Devils lost 2-1, with Pascal Gross’ two goals in the first half being important for the Seagulls, who deservedly earned the three points in Manchester.
Erik ten Hag, the team’s new head coach, is under no obligation to lead his team to victory on Saturday, especially given that the Premier League matchup against Liverpool is just nine days away at home.
Manchester United had a strong preseason, but their problems from last season were evident against Brighton.
If they want to compete for a spot in the top four again after Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Tottenham Hotspur all won last weekend, they will need to make significant adjustments.
The club is still working on new signings, with Juventus’ Adrien Rabiot and PSV Eindhoven’s Cody Gakpo the most recent players to be linked with moves to Old Trafford, but there is still uncertainty surrounding the future of a certain Cristiano Ronaldo.
Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia, and Christian Eriksen were all active against Brighton.
Since February 1938, Man United have not lost against Brentford in a Premier League game.
Ten Hag will undoubtedly have his team motivated for this match because a loss would put the team in a very precarious position before their upcoming match against fierce rivals, Liverpool.
Premier League record for Brentford: D
Brentford’s overall form is LDLWWD.
The Premier League record for Manchester United: L
Manchester United’s league form is as follows: WWDLDL
Kristoffer Ajer, Sergi Canos, and Ethan Pinnock will all be unavailable for selection for this weekend’s game for Brentford.
Dasilva made a strong impression as a substitute against Leicester and might potentially start, but otherwise, it might be the same lineup that hit the field at the start of the game against the Foxes.
Lewis-Potter will therefore sit on the bench while Bryan Mbuemo, Yoane Wissa, and Damsgaard should all join Toney in the final third.
Damsgaard might also make the squad given his recent arrival.
Anthony Martial is still questionable for Manchester United’s match at Brentford after missing last weekend’s game with a hamstring injury.
The 20-time English champions will once again be without Facundo Pellistri and Brandon Williams due to injuries, and Mason Greenwood is currently on suspension.
Ten Hag must make a crucial decision on Ronaldo, who came off the bench against Brighton. It would not be shocking to see the Portuguese start, especially if Martial is once again ruled out.
Luke Shaw should keep his place at left-back, with Martinez partnering club captain Harry Maguire in the midfield.
Ronaldo could replace Scott McTominay, with Eriksen going back into a deeper position.
Raphael Varane and Malacia are also vying for slots in the starting lineup.
A possible starting lineup for Brentford:
Janet, Norgaard, Dasilva, Hickey, Jansson, Mee, Henry, Raya, and Mbuemo, Toney, and Wissa
Manchester United’s potential starting lineup:
De Gea, Dalot, Maguire, L Martinez, Shaw, Eriksen, Fred, Fernandes, Sancho, Ronaldo, and Rashford are all in the starting lineup.
Although Brentford are capable of causing plenty of problems, we think that the visitors will have enough quality to just about prevail in this match.
The players should be motivated to bounce back from what was a bad setback against Brighton.
