Premier League: Bees Want Revenge When the Red Devils Hit London

Brentford vs Manchester United

Manchester United head to the capital on Saturday to face Brentford in a crunch Premier League clash and the northerners need to be wary of a nasty Bee sting.

The hosts were riled when they dominated the return match at Old Trafford only to fall to a late Scott McTominay double and, after a difficult run of form, Thomas Frank’s team is desperate for a result.  

Brentford vs Manchester United is a fixture which brings together two teams that certainly need the points.

The Bees currently sit in 15^th place and five points above the drop zone, so Frank’s side still has plenty of work to do. The Red Devils are in sixth place and a Champions League spot looks out of reach, but the fight for Europa places is fierce, and United are in good shape to claim theirs.   

Erik ten Hag guided Manchester United to third place last year and, in that sense, they have lost some ground. But with a FA Cup semi-final against Coventry City in the diary, there is a good chance of silverware.    

The Red Devils will be on cloud nine after beating Liverpool in an FA Cup seven-goal thriller, while the Bees are hoping for a bounce back after losing 2-1 away to Burnley. 

Talking Points

Toney’s can fire Brentford to safety

Brentford fans spent the first half of the campaign wondering if life would have been easier if their star striker Ivan Toney had been on the pitch. And as his return from an eight-month ban neared, there were fears he may sign for league leaders Arsenal.

But Toney is back for the Bees and firing. He scored on his long awaited return against Nottingham Forest in a 3-2 win, and he has since racked up four league goals.

Toney scored a penalty in England’s 2-2 draw with Belgium on Tuesday and, alongside the fit again Bryan Mbeumo, who has seven goals and three assists, he forms a lethal partnership.

The Bees are currently outscoring Manchester United in the Premier League by 41 goals to 39, but they have struggled to get results in recent weeks. Frank’s team has endured a beast of a run of fixtures over the past month, facing Liverpool, Manchester City, West Ham, Arsenal, and Chelsea, winning their only point against Mauricio Pochettino’s Blues.

And they have faced the best teams in the league, conceding 10 goals in the last four games without their main man in defence, Ben Mee, who fractured his ankle against West Ham and may have played his last game this season. But there is better news from Ethan Pinnock, who has recovered from his back injury and is in contention. 

It’s one in and one out of the Bees backline, though.

Sergio Reguilon, who has been in good form since arriving on loan, will not be available to face his former team Manchester United after being red carded in the loss to Burnley.    

Martinez in contention for a return  

Part of Manchester United’s failure to keep up with the top four has to be down to the injury to centre-back Lisandro Martinez two months ago. But the news coming out of Old Trafford suggests the World Cup winner is on his way back.

Martinez travelled with Argentina during the international break to continue his recovery in training (and maybe see some friends), but he has flown back to join his United teammates and fans are hoping to see him back on the grass on Saturday.       

One player who is sure to make some sparkling Premier League 2024 highlights is 18-year-old Kobbie Mainoo, who had an impressive debut for England against Belgium on Tuesday, and he will sit alongside skipper Bruno Fernandes in midfield.

Mainoo has burst onto the scene and has won admirers with his energetic displays and intelligence on the ball. 

He has some exciting players in his team but ten Hag is looking for consistency. United’s recent match against Everton a 2-0 win was a scrappy affair, and the Red Devils needed two penalties to see off the Toffees, and that followed a humbling defeat in the Manchester derby.

But United’s response against Liverpool in the FA Cup was magnificent, and ten Hag wants to see that level of fight for the remainder of the campaign.   

History

Manchester United have won four of the six meetings with Brentford, losing one and drawing one. Of course ten Hag’s team won the return fixture 2-1 after the Bees were left with nothing having dominated the game.

But the last time the two teams met at the Brentford Community Stadium, the Bees won 4-0. 

Recent form suggests another thumping home win is out of the question, though. With four wins and two defeats, the Red Devils have much better recent form compared to the Bees, who have lost five from six and drawing the other.  

Betting Tip

The pre-match Premier League 2024 betting odds make the Red Devils the favourites at a SBOTOP price of 2.21, but there’s not a lot in it with the Bees priced at 2.84 and the draw is at 3.21. 

This is a fascinating clash. Brentford have struggled of late, but they have had a brutal run of fixtures, while you can never be sure which Manchester United will turn up, so I think they’ll both get something from the game.

Brentford will be happy with a point, but I doubt United will be.

 

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