Brentford vs Man Utd news: Red Devils to bounce back with a win
- Scott Allen
- 19 January 2022
Manchester United desperately need to get back to winning ways in the Premier League, maybe a struggling Brentford side are just the team they need to face right now.
Not a match for those who like to pore over stats of recent head-to-heads.
Brentford's last league game against Manchester United was way back in 1947, when Grimsby Town were in the top flight and every player had a moustache and wore hats at all times, even on the pitch…ok maybe not that last bit.
Manchester United go into the game after a soul-crushing draw with Aston Villa, and defeat at Brentford could spark all kinds of managerial carnage back at Old Trafford. Ralf Rangnick is probably wondering what he has let himself in for.
Brentford aren't in great shape either. Expect lots of goals.
When: Wednesday, January 19, 20:00 GMT
Where: Brentford Community Stadium
Where to watch: BT Sport
Who is the ref for Brentford vs Manchester United
Andre Marriner is yet to officiate a game involving Brentford or Manchester United this season. Due to cup games and Covid-19 cancellations he hasn't reffed a Premier League since before Christmas. What he does seem to like is dishing out a card, only two of his ten Premier League games have had fewer than two yellows. He brandished seven in the September's clash between Crystal Palace and Brighton - it is a derby, though - and six in games either side of that match.
2021/22 season stats: Premier League matches (10), yellows (44), reds (2), penalties (3)
Recent form
Brentford could do without this game, even if it is against a patchy Manchester United. They've just come off a 3-0 thumping from Liverpool, and shipped four against Southampton less than a week before that. Their festive period was miserable (three defeats in eight days) with the only brief ray of sunshine a 2-1 win against Aston Villa on January 2.
The Bees haven't kept a clean sheet in 10 games, and keeper Alvaro Fernandez is the busiest keeper in the league with 4.1 saves a game. United always score away from home, they have a 100% record in Premier League games this campaign.
Manchester United are all over the place. It's hard to see which team is going to turn up before and even during the game. Cruising against Villa over the weekend, then throwing it away in the second half. Losing to Wolves and a draw at Newcastle has the natives gnashing their teeth. A 3-1 home win over Burnley isn't enough to keep them quiet.
On the plus side, Manchester United rarely lose in London. They last tasted defeat at Arsenal in January 2020, that's a pre-Covid match. Remember those days? No we don't either.
Brentford and Man Utd players in form
Is Bruno Fernandes getting back to his best? Two goals against Villa certainly suggests something is happening in his talented feet. Or maybe it's because Ronaldo has been injured, and his shadow doesn't loom as large over his Portuguese colleague. Shame he's probably going to be back against Brentford.
Christian Norgaard is having a solid season in the middle of Brentford's midfield, and is probably the only player who came out of the Southampton and Liverpool defeats with any credit. He plays in the engine room of the Bees side, so doesn't get the glory the likes of Ivan Toney and er…Pontus Jansson have bestowed upon them.
Norgaard has won more tackles (64) than anyone else in the Premier League, and that might help him dominate United's feeble midfield.
Manager's thoughts
Thomas Frank (from Brentfordfc.com): "On their day they can produce magic out of nothing. Against Aston Villa, Fernandes created two chances out of nothing. When Ronaldo has played, he has produced chances and goals.
Ralf Rangnick (from manutd.com): "To me, it's important that we always win the next game we play, and it's also a question of formation. We have now decided to play in a 4-3-3, like we played against Aston Villa, with one holding six and two eights, with three offensive players."
Predicted Brentford vs Manchester United teams
No new injury worries for Brentford. Raya, Goode, Jorgensen, Jeanvier and Dasilva are all still out, while Onyeka is with Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations.
Ronaldo and Rashford should be back from injury, while Shaw and McTominay have served their suspensions. Martial may also return to the squad after throwing a strop last week.
Brentford vs Manchester United prediction
United should bounce back with a win in west London, and might even get away with a clean sheet. Sorry Brentford, no shock result here.
