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2024/25 English Premier League
Matchday 8
Manchester United v Brentford
Old Trafford
Manchester, England
Saturday, 19 October 2024
Kick-off is at 16h00
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is in dire need of a win as he prepares for the visit of Brentford to Old Trafford on Saturday, October 19.
A goalless draw at Aston Villa prior to the international break hardly aided Ten Hag's cause as it extended United's winless run in the
Premier League to three matches.
The Red Devils have won just two of their opening seven games in 2024-25 and are languishing down in 14th place on eight points, already 10 adrift of league leaders Liverpool.
Ten Hag' side have failed to find the back of the next in their last three outings and they've managed to score just five goals in total this season - only Southampton (4) have fared worse.
Brentford have had no problems in that department, although they've squandered the lead in their of their last four league encounters and it proved costly on two occasions.
The Bees have developed a knack for scoring early goals, with Yoane Wissa, Bryan Mbeumo (twice) and Nathan Collins all striking within the opening two minutes in each of their last four matches.
Thomas Frank's side arrested a three-game slide when they beat Wolves 5-3 at the Gtech Community Stadium on October 5 to climb up to 11th position, level with Nottingham Forest (10th) and Tottenham (9th) on 10 points.
Image Source: Alamy Stock Photo
In team news, the hosts remain without Leny Yoro (ankle), Tyrell Malacia (knee) and Noussair Mazraoui, but Luke Shaw (calf) and Mason Mount (head) could come back into contention. Alejandro Garnacho (knee), Amad Diallo (illness), Harry Maguire (calf) and Kobbie Mainoo (thigh) are all rated doubtful.
The visitors also have several injuries to contend with as Igor Thiago, Josh Dasilva, Rico Henry (all knee), Yoane Wissa (ankle), Aaron Hickey (thigh) and Gustavo Nunes (back) are all unavailable, although Mathias Jensen (calf) is closing in on a return.
Ten Hag is not too concerned about the lack of goals, insisting he trusts in the ability of his players to come good sooner rather than later.
"That will come. [There are] more reasons. Sometimes it's the form. Rasmus Hojlund is just in the season, he is not up to 100 [per cent] fitness, match fitness. And he is our goalscorer, I would say our best goalscorer," the Dutchman said.
"But also others, we know they can score goals, like [Marcus] Rashford. But he scored in Porto, he had a good assist in Porto, today he created two very good chances.
"I think [Alejandro] Garnacho is all season already a threat, but also scoring and assisting. Bruno [Fernandes] has abilities to score goals. So we will get there and we trust the players. One day it will click."
Frank was over the moon with the Bees' attacking prowess against the Old Gold, but admits they can improve in defence after conceding two softs goals.
"Everything for the fans, huh? It's all about entertainment!" the Dane declared. "But, no, our offensive performance today: wow... wow.
"It looked like we would score a goal every time we went forward and every time we had a set-piece! I was very pleased with that part of our game.
"The fact we did that without Yoane Wissa and Igor Thiago - our No.9s or main goalscorers - is even more impressive.
"We should defend a bit better in certain situations: the first one definitely, the third one maybe, the second one was good play from Wolves."
Head-to-Head (Last Five Premier League Meetings)
Matches - 5
Man United wins - 3
Brentford wins - 1
Draws - 1
Premier League Matchday 8 fixtures:
Saturday, October 19
13h30: Tottenham Hotspur v West Ham United
16h00: Fulham v Aston Villa
16h00: Ipswich Town v Everton
16h00: Manchester United v Brentford
16h00: Newcastle United v Brighton & Hove Albion
16h00: Southampton v Leicester City
18h30: Bournemouth v Arsenal
Sunday, October 20
15h00: Wolverhampton Wanderers v Manchester City
17h30: Liverpool v Chelsea
Monday, October 21
21h00: Nottingham Forest v Crystal Palace
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