Prediction: Manchester United vs Brentford

Verdict: Brentford double chance

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Dachbet

Desperately seeking a much-needed boost on their return from October’s international break, Manchester United will welcome Brentford to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon.

Manchester United

Starting with the hosts, while Erik ten Hag might still remain at Old Trafford, the former Ajax boss finds the pressure on his shoulders at a boiling point. Only continuing to break a string of unwanted records this season, Manchester United mark their return from October’s international break scrapping it out in the bottom-half of the table. Signing off September with an infamous 3-0 drumming at home against Tottenham, the Red Devils have rightfully come under a tremendous amount of scrutiny. Without a single win from any of their previous five appearances across all competitions, Saturday’s hosts have also recorded just a pair of Premier League victories since opening up the new campaign. Showing a string of issues at both ends of the pitch, it should also be highlighted that ten Hag’s struggling squad have failed to find the net in any of their last three consecutive showdowns against top-flight opposition.

Team News

Suffering a knock while away with Uruguay over the past week, Manchester United will be without summer recruit and former PSG midfielder Manuel Ugarte. Likewise, while Leny Yoro might be inching towards a first start of the season, the ex-Lille defender remains on the sidelines and will not play any part at Old Trafford.

Undergoing a minor heart procedure over the fortnight interval, Noussair Mazraoui faces a lengthy stint on the sidelines. Despite pulling out of England’s squad last week over fitness concerns, midfield talisman Kobbie Mainoo is expected to be given the green light here.

Brentford

As for the visitors, heading into October’s international break with an action-packed 5-3 victory at home against Wolves, Brentford have gained plenty of plaudits this season. Opening proceedings with a 2-1 win at home against Crystal Palace, Thomas Frank’s men should be relishing a trip to Old Trafford this weekend. With their sights firmly set on mounting a genuine top-half charge this year, the Bees have lost just a trio of their first nine appearances across all competitions. However, despite potentially smelling the chance to collect a heavyweight scalp in the red half of Manchester, Brentford are seeking some crucial stability outside of west London. Last seen on their travels falling to a 3-1 loss at the hands of Tottenham, Frank’s men have lost each of their first three Premier League showdowns away from the Tech by an aggregate score of 7-2.

Team News

Yet to make a single appearance this season after completing a big-money move from Club Brugge over the summer, Brentford will once again be without Brazilian marksman Igor Thiago at Old Trafford. Likewise, sustaining an ankle injury away at Manchester City last month, Congo international Joanne Wissa will not feature here.

Finding the net in all of his final three Premier League appearances prior to October’s international break, Bryan Mbeumo will lead Brentford’s charge in the final third. Despite featuring for Jamaica over the past week, Ethan Pinnock should start at the heart of Frank’s defence.

Key Factors to Consider

• When Manchester United and Brentford last met back on March 30th, Saturday’s opponents played out a 1-1 stalemate in west London.
• The Red Devils failed to win any of their final five appearances across all competitions prior to October’s international break.
• Brentford have lost just a trio of their first nine appearances across all competitions.
• Manchester United have failed to record a single goal in any of their previous three Premier League outings.
• Bryan Mbeumo found the net in each of his final three Premier League appearances.

Conclusion

Failing to win any of their final five appearances across all competitions before heading into October’s international break, Manchester United are desperately seeking a much-needed boost here. However, although the Bees might have continued to show some glaring issues outside of west London this season, they could be smelling the chance to claim a famous scalp at Old Trafford. With United battling it out in the bottom-half of the Premier League table, an away double chance can be found at appealing odds.

Verdict: Brentford double chance

Best Odds: 11/10

Bookmaker: Dachbet