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Manchester United welcome Brentford to Old Trafford in May Bank Holiday Monday Night Football.
Victory would see Man Utd stay sixth but move to within five points of the top four, whereas Brentford can go 10th with a win.
Team News
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Jesse Lingard is set to return for Man Utd after he missed Thursday’s 1-1 draw against Chelsea for personal reasons.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (knock), Fred (hip) and Edinson Cavani (calf) could also be in contention if declared match-fit by club doctors.
Harry Maguire (knee), Luke Shaw (leg), Paul Pogba (calf), Jadon Sancho (illness) and Mason Greenwood (personal) will remain absent.
Brentford could welcome Kristoffer Ajer back into contention after he missed last weekend’s goalless draw against Tottenham with concussion, which was caused by a training ground incident.
Christian Norgaard (shin) could also return but Sergi Canos, Ethan Pinnock (both hamstring), Frank Onyeka (ankle), Mathias Jorgensen (quad) and Saman Ghoddos (ankle) are ruled out.
Stat Attack
- Man Utd won their only previous Premier League clash against Brentford, winning 3-1 in January in West London.
- Brentford are visiting Old Trafford for the first time in Premier League but have claimed seven points from five previous league visits to Utd (W2, D1, L2), with their two wins coming by 3-1 results.
- Utd have scored at least twice in five of their last six meetings against Brentford in all competitions.
- Outside of the top three clubs coming into this matchweek, no player has produced more assists this season than Utd’s Paul Pogba (9).
- Coming into this matchweek, no Premier League player has produced more tackles than Brentford’s Christian Norgaard who has produced 102 tackles in 32 league appearances this season.
Prediction
Following another lethargic display in Thursday’s draw against Chelsea which lacked passion and quality, Man Utd really do need something here if they’re to keep their very slim top-four hopes alive although they did well to immediately respond to Chelsea’s opener but otherwise looked toothless.
With just three matches left including this clash, I really do hope that Utd’s players realise that they are fighting for their futures because any more lacklustre displays and Erik Ten Haag certainly will have a field day with this weak squad during the early days of pre-season.
Brentford meanwhile were well-drilled and organised across the pitch defensively in last weekend’s goalless draw against Spurs, whilst also showing excellent quality in their attacking press yet wasted numerous chances which can’t be repeated here if they want to win.
I however do have Brentford as slight favourites if they can deliver another disciplined performance and take their chances, whereas Utd simply need a good mental shake otherwise they’re fighting for an Europa League spot at best.
Prediction: Manchester United 1-1 Brentford
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