The final international break of the season is finally behind us and club football returns as we approach the climax of yet another thrilling and exciting season. Gameweek 30 sees Brentford hosting Manchester United at GTech Community Stadium on Saturday.
Brentford are back in action after a short hiatus of three weeks and are hoping to get better results in the last nine games of the season. They had a torrid time leading up to the international break as they went six games without a win, earning only one point out of a possible 18 in the process. They have been abysmal this season, and have won only two of their last 15 games in the league, losing all but one of the remaining fixtures. Their poor form has seen the Bees slide down to 15th in the table, and sit just five points outside the relegation zone.
While relegation seems a distant threat for now, the Brentford faithful might start sweating if their form does not improve anytime soon. The West Londoners have the points deduction handed to Nottingham Forest and Everton as their saving grace for now, or could have found themselves in a dire situation by now. However, manager Thomas Frank remains positive that his lads can turn it around and is focused on guiding his team to safety, amid rumours that the Dane could be on his way out of Brentford next season. For now, they face a somewhat tricky run-in to the 23/24 season, and cannot afford to drop too many points.
Manchester United were on cloud 9 heading into the international break after that electrifying 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-final. United were the deserved winners in the end and showed great courage and class to pull through with two goals in the second half of extra time. Old Trafford was at its vociferous best and the fans were treated to a classic game that will go down in history as one of the best between the two sides. It was certainly a morale-boosting win for fans and players alike, considering the season they have endured so far.
United booked their trip to Wembley and now look forward to getting their top four hopes back on track against a stumbling Brentford. Man United have won seven of their last ten league games and losing just two in the process, and are right on the heels of Tottenham Hotspurs in fifth and Aston Villa in fourth.
With 10 games to go, the Red Devils must make up a nine-point gap to finish inside the top four, and have a big job on their hands. If the win over Liverpool was anything to go by, the Red Devils have endless belief at the moment and we could have a race on our hands that will go right down to the wire.
WHEN & WHERE?
Date: Saturday, 30th March 2024.
Time: 8.00 pm GMT
Venue: GTech Community Stadium, London, UK.
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Simon Hooper.
Assistants: Adrian Holmes, Simon Long.
Fourth official: Gavin Ward.
VAR: Stuart Attwell.
Assistant VAR: Marc Perry.
TEAM NEWS
Brentford will be without loanee Sergio Reguilon who will serve his one-game suspension on Saturday night and miss out on the chance to lineup against the club where he spent the first half of the season. Defenders Ben Mee, Aaron Hickey and Rico Henry have been ruled out along with winger Kevin Schade and midfielders Christian Nørgaard and Josh Dasilva. There is uncertainty over the availability of defender Ethan Pinnock and he faces a race against time to declare himself fit for United’s visit. Forward Bryan Mbuemo should return to the squad having fully recovered from his ankle injury.
Manchester United still have a few players on the sidelines, with Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Anthony Martial. Lisandro Martinez joined the Argentine squad during the international break and was spotted doing light training but it remains to see if he is fit enough to feature this weekend, given the extent and nature of his injury. Similarly, Jonny Evans and Casemiro missed out on the FA Cup quarter-final tie with injuries and they are not expected to recover in time for the trip to West London.
Mason Mount, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Rasmus Højlund all made their returns just before the international break in the win over Liverpool and all three are expected to be in contention for selection again this weekend. Harry Maguire also returned along with those three, but suffered another injury on England duty and pulled out of the international camp early. He faces a late fitness test and it remains to see if he is fit to play in London. Amad Diallo was on the receiving end of two yellow cards in the win versus Liverpool and he will sit this game out with a one match suspension.
MATCH ANALYSIS
Manchester United will remember their last trip to the GTech Community Stadium in what was a 4-0 massacre as Erik ten Hag took charge of just his second league game for the Red Devils. Doubts were raised and questions were asked of the Dutchman’s ability to manage a club of United’s stature and get them back to winning trophies and titles. It has since been almost 20 months and the Mancunians have been on somewhat of a rollercoaster.
The 22/23 season went brilliantly for them, as they ended their 6-year trophy drought with the Carabao Cup, got back into the Champions League with a 3rd placed finish and ended as the runners-up in the FA Cup. This season, however, has not been the best for them as they are some way behind in making the top four.
Similarly, Brentford had a strong 22/23 season, finishing inside the top half of the league table, but like Man United, have faltered this season. An eight-month ban for Ivan Toney at the end of last season meant that they were without their striker for the majority of the season and had to cope without his goal-scoring brilliance for 20 league games. His arrival has not the desired effect as Brentford are still stuck in a rut, having lost seven of their last nine. Manager Thomas Frank will have to rally his troops ahead of Saturday’s game, and hope to end a miserable streak against a buoyed Manchester United.
The reverse fixture at Old Trafford produced one of the classic Man United comebacks as the Red Devils came from a goal down to win 2-1, with Scott McTominay scoring a brace in stoppage time. The Bees led for the majority of the game after scoring inside the first half hour, but United snatched three points from under their noses with McTominay scoring in 90+3rd and 90+7th minute. Frank will be hoping to extract revenge on the visitors on Saturday and get his team back to winning ways.
KEY PLAYERS
Ivan Toney
Four goals in ten games since his return to action three months ago is not the best return for the Englishman, but he is slowly getting back to his usual standards. He was called up to the England camp for their fixtures against Brazil and Belgium in the international break and while he did not feature against the former, the striker bagged himself a goal against the latter. Toney was fouled inside the box by the Belgian defense and the 28-year-old made no mistake from the spot. That would have done his confidence a world of good and Brentford fans will be hoping he can continue scoring for their team.
His off-field antics have understandably angered some Bees fans, with rumors of him leaving next season rife. With the end of the season near and the Euros just around the corner, Toney will be hoping to strike form at the right moment and put his name in consideration for a ticket to Germany with the Three Lions.
Rasmus Højlund
It was a welcome site for all United fans when the 21-year-old Dane lined up against Liverpool having missed out for 4 weeks with a muscle injury. Højlund was in imperious form before his untimely injury and his absence was sorely felt as Man United lost two league games and won one without him. The Mancunian attack feels well-balanced and complete with him in the side, which also allows Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho to lineup in their preferred roles on the flanks. He had scored 7 league goals in six starts just prior to his injury, and Erik ten Hag will hope the young forward can get back to his form against a weak Brentford defense.
PREDICTED LINEUPS
Brentford predicted XI vs Manchester United: Thomas Flekken; Mathias Jørgensen, Nathan Collins, Kristoffer Ajer; Mads Roerslev, Vitaly Janelt, Franck Onyeka, Mathias Jensen, Keane Lewis-Potter; Yoane Wissa, Ivan Toney.
Manchester United predicted XI vs Brentford: Andre Onana; Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka; Scott McTominay, Kobbie Mainoo; Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Rasmus Højlund.
