Manchester United and Brentford are set to clash on October 19, 2024, at Old Trafford in a Premier League match that both teams will view as critical to turning their seasons around. With Manchester United languishing in 14th place and Brentford only slightly better off in 11th, both sides are under pressure to secure points after a rocky start to the season.
Manchester United: A Struggling Giant
Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United have endured a disappointing start to the 2024/25 campaign. The Red Devils have lost six of their ten games across all competitions, including a recent defeat to Galatasaray in the UEFA Champions League. This loss has left United on the brink of an early exit from the competition, while their Premier League form has also been concerning, with three defeats in their last four home matches
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Offensively, United has been lacking, with only eight goals scored in seven league matches—one of the lowest tallies in the Premier League. Injuries have compounded their woes, with key players such as Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, and Jadon Sancho unavailable for selection
. However, there is hope that the returning Antony and Marcus Rashford can provide a much-needed spark in attack. Rashford, in particular, will look to replicate his performance from last season’s fixture, where his late goal secured a 1-0 win over Brentford
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The Red Devils will need to tighten up defensively, especially after conceding six goals in their last three matches. Goalkeeper Andre Onana has faced criticism for recent errors, but ten Hag is expected to retain faith in him between the posts
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Brentford: Inconsistent, but Dangerous
Brentford started the season in good form, going unbeaten in their first five matches. However, their momentum has since stalled, with the Bees now on a four-game winless run, including three defeats. Despite these setbacks, Thomas Frank’s side sits 11th in the table, with two points more than United
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The absence of suspended star striker Ivan Toney has been a significant blow to Brentford’s attack. In his place, Neal Maupay, Bryan Mbeumo, and Yoane Wissa have shouldered the attacking responsibilities, although they have struggled to find consistent form. Defensively, Brentford has also been leaky, conceding eight goals in their last four matches
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However, Brentford remains dangerous on the counter-attack, and their set-piece prowess, led by Mathias Jensen, could cause problems for United’s defense. Brentford also has history on their side, having opened the scoring early in several games this season and showing that they can compete against the top teams
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Head-to-Head: United’s Dominance
Historically, Manchester United has dominated this fixture, winning four of the last six matches against Brentford. United also have a solid record at Old Trafford against the Bees, including a narrow 1-0 win last season
. Despite United’s struggles this season, their superior head-to-head record makes them slight favorites heading into the game.
Prediction: A Tight Contest
Given Manchester United’s injury woes and recent defensive frailties, combined with Brentford’s ability to punish mistakes on the counter-attack, this match could be a closer contest than expected. However, United’s need for a result, especially at home, might see them edge out a win. A 2-1 or 3-1 scoreline in favor of United seems plausible, though Brentford will not make it easy
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This match is not just about points—it could be a turning point for both teams as they seek to shift their seasons back on track. For Manchester United, a win would alleviate some of the pressure on ten Hag, while Brentford will aim to capitalize on their opponent’s vulnerability and break their winless streak.