Brentford host a wounded Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday evening.
Both clubs began the new Premier League season last Sunday afternoon and swiftly found themselves trailing 2-0. Thomas Frank’s tactical rejig on the hour-mark managed to earn Brentford a share of the spoils but the ace up Erik ten Hag’s sleeve of Cristiano Ronaldo failed to overturn the deficit at Old Trafford.
Here’s everything you need to know about a match which both teams can’t start as badly.
Channel: Sky Sports Main Event
Channel: Sky Sports Premier League
Channel: Sky Ultra HD
Streaming Service: NOW TV
Streaming Service: Sky Go
Broadcast Time: 17:00 (BST)
Channel: NBC Universo
Streaming Service: NBC Sports
Streaming Service: Peacock Premium
Broadcast Time EST: 12:30
Broadcast Time PST: 09:30
Streaming Service: fuboTV Canada
Broadcast Time (EST): 12:30
Where can you watch Brentford vs Manchester United Highlights?
Channel: Sky Sports Football
Channel: BBC Match of the Day
Stream: Sky Football YouTube channel
H2H Results (Last Five Games)
Brentford: 0 Wins
Manchester United: 4 Wins
Draws: 1
Current Form (Last Five Games)
Brentford: DLWWD
Manchester United: WDLDL
Brentford team news
Both Sergi Canos and Kristoffer Ajer have been pencilled in for returns from hamstring injuries around “mid-to-late August” according to Frank. The timescale of Ethan Pinnock’s recovery from a knee problem he suffered in training isn’t anywhere near as clear.
Brentford Starting 11: Raya; Hickey, Jansson, Mee; Mbeumo, Janelt, Norgaard, Dasilva, Henry; Wissa, Toney
Bench: Strakosha, Roerslev, Jensen, Baptiste, Dervisoglu, Bech, Lewis-Potter, Onyeka, Stevens
Manchester United team news
Even before Brighton began to run riot at Old Trafford, Ten Hag’s omission of Ronaldo heaped scrutiny upon the new incumbent. Ten Hag deemed Ronaldo only fit enough for a second-half introduction last weekend after unsuccessfully fielding Christian Eriksen in an advanced role while Anthony Martial watched on from the sidelines.
The French forward sustained a hamstring injury on the eve of the season and his involvement this weekend remains shrouded in uncertainty. Both Facundo Pellistri and Brandon Williams are also doubts.
Manchester United Starting 11: De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Martinez, Shaw; Fred, Eriksen; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Ronaldo
Bench: Heaton, Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Malacia, Van de Beek, McTominay, Garnacho, Elanga, Garner
Brentford were one of the few sides that acted as favourable opponents for Manchester United last season, as the Red Devils rattled off six goals across their two Premier League meetings with the Bees (a tally they only eclipsed against leaky Leeds).
Ralf Rangnick was in charge for those matches but his successor is evidently still getting to grips with the dysfunction rife within the squad. While it may not be as dire as the opening weekend, Ten Hag could leave Brentford’s little bus stop in Hounslow still searching for his first victory.
Prediction: Brentford 1-1 Manchester United