Noussair Mazraoui and Bruno Fernandes should start. (Image: Getty)
Manchester United host Brentford at Old Trafford this afternoon at the start of a crucial set of seven fixtures for Erik ten Hag between the October and November international breaks. The Red Devils have won just two of their opening seven Premier League matches this season, leaving Ten Hag’s side 14th.
There will be an elephant in the room with Thomas Frank – a coach interviewed by INEOS during the summer and still strongly linked with the Dutchman’s job – in the opposition dugout.
Express Sport runs through the likely United line-up when the Bees visit M16.
Man Utd predicted XI vs Brentford (4-2-3-1)
Goalkeeper – Onana
In September, Andre Onana won the Premier League Save of the Month award for his astonishing save at Crystal Palace.
He was also named United’s Player of the Month and is eyeing a fifth league clean sheet this season against Brentford.
Defence – Dalot, De Ligt, Evans, Mazraoui
Ten Hag has confirmed that Noussair Mazraoui is available for selection after undergoing a minor corrective procedure after suffering heart palpitations.
It comes as a major boost – with Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia still out of contention – after the Moroccan was previously expected to spend a few weeks on the sidelines.
Harry Maguire, however, will miss a few weeks, but his partner in the 0-0 draw at Aston Villa last time out, Jonny Evans, deserves to keep his place.
Brentford’s threat from long balls and crosses could see Ten Hag opt for Matthijs de Ligt over Lisandro Martinez to join Evans – as he did at Villa Park.
Alejandro Garnacho may get the nod over Amad. (Image: Getty)
Midfield – Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes
Kobbie Mainoo is unavailable after failing to recover from the injury that forced him to withdraw from the latest England squad.
Christian Eriksen will likely be called upon again to continue his renaissance this term.
Casemiro partnered the Dane against Porto earlier this month and could be preferred to Manuel Ugarte, who appears out of favour after a miserable Premier League debut against Tottenham.
Bruno Fernandes will be suspended for next week’s trip to Fenerbahce, so the United captain is bound to play the entirety of the Brentford clash – if he can avoid another red card…
Attack – Garnacho, Rashford, Hojlund
Ten Hag continues to have the dilemma of Alejandro Garnacho or Amad as his first-choice right-winger.
Neither has emerged as the obvious candidate, which is working in Ten Hag’s favour, given the unpredictability of his attack.
Garnacho started against Villa, and he should be fresh from a two-week rest after dropping out of Argentina duty.
Marcus Rashford is expected to keep his place on the left, with Rasmus Hojlund continuing ahead of Joshua Zirkzee up front.
Source: https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/1964166/Man-Utd-team-news-predicted-XI-Brentford-Bruno-Fernandes-Noussair-Mazraoui