Manchester United vs Brentford: The Bees Seek Breakthrough in Nearly 90-Year Wait
by Thobelani Moyo | by Cydias Aujard
Carrick’s United Walking a Tightrope as Brentford Arrive with History in Sight
From commanding performances to shared spoils, Manchester United are enjoying their best run in the Premier League and are on the brink of landing a UEFA Champions League spot. They have played 33 games in total and have a 16-10-7 record with 58 points accumulated. This has left them in third place and level on points with Liverpool and Aston Villa below them.
The man behind their success this season has been the interim manager, Michael Carrick. Despite his efforts to bring out the best of a previously inconsistent squad, he has not escaped scrutiny following criticism of his tactics during a difficult run of games. He has seen his side win just two of their last five league games.
A trip to Stamford Bridge last time out was expected to be a difficult test for Michael Carrick. However, his side rose to the occasion and secured a 1-0 victory against Chelsea. That outcome snapped a two-match winless run. It wasn't one of their best performances as they were second-best. Generating chances worth 0.29 xG (expected goals), they were toothless in attack, and this was evident by their two attempts at goal in the second half, with none finding the target.
To prove that their victory was not a fluke, Manchester United are drawn against Brentford. This is a side that has defeated them twice in a row in the Premier League, including a 3-1 away defeat in the previous fixture. Can the Red Devils snap this losing streak and return to winning ways, or will their misfortunes continue to deepen? For more insights into the game, head over to our Manchester United vs Brentford prediction.
Brentford are also chasing European qualification under the guidance of head coach Keith Andrews. They are not far behind with just one point separating them from seventh-placed Bournemouth, who have amassed 49 points from 34 games.
The Bees have emerged as the draw specialists in the past few weeks. A goalless draw against Fulham last time out marked their fifth consecutive league draw. Salvaging a point against Manchester United this Monday will be considered an achievement. For head coach Keith Andrews, he would likely prefer his side to claim all three points, as that could see them climb as high as sixth in the league table.
See Brentford's situation in the Premier League table:
| Position | Team | Matches Played | Wins | Draws | Losses | GF/GA | Goal Difference | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6* | Brighton | 34 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 48:39 | 9 | 50 |
| 7* | Bournemouth | 34 | 11 | 16 | 7 | 52:52 | 0 | 49 |
| 8 | Chelsea | 34 | 13 | 9 | 12 | 53:45 | 8 | 48 |
| 9 | Brentford | 33 | 13 | 9 | 11 | 48:44 | 4 | 48 |
| 10 | Fulham | 34 | 14 | 6 | 14 | 44:46 | -2 | 48 |
| 11 | Everton | 34 | 13 | 8 | 13 | 41:41 | 0 | 47 |
| 12 | Sunderland | 34 | 12 | 10 | 12 | 36:45 | -9 | 46 |
*European places
*GF - Goals fired / GA - Goals against
Brentford have already gotten the better of Manchester United this season, winning 3-1 at the GTech Community Stadium. This also marked Keith Andrews' first and only win against this opponent. The aim now is to record a second consecutive league win. Success will mark the first time since 1937 that they've recorded back-to-back wins against Man United.
Another important thing worth mentioning is that they are still searching for their first league win at Old Trafford after walking away with all three points in a 3-1 victory back in 1937. Since then, they've lost six consecutive matches.
Key Players to watch: Fernandes and Thiago Show
Manchester United have been consistent scorers in the Premier League. The club from Greater Manchester has scored in 21 consecutive league games. This is a milestone moment for them as it marks their longest scoring streak in top-flight football since the 2012-13 season.
Praise has to go to Bruno Fernandes, as he has been involved in 71% of those goals. He has been the team's talisman when it comes to dishing out assists this season, with 18 to his name thus far. He has also scored eight goals. Only Manchester City's Rayan Cherki comes closest with ten assists.
Fernandes is one assist away from matching Mesut Ozil's 19 assists in the 2015-16 season. Not only that, but he can also surpass him, including the records of Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry (20 assists).
Brentford may have failed to score in three of their last five league games, but it doesn't mean they don't have a deadly weapon that is a constant threat to opposition defense. Igor Thiago is the name, and he has 21 goals to his name and is three goals shy of matching the Premier League's top scorer, Erling Haaland.
The Brazilian international bagged a brace in the team's 3-1 home victory against Manchester United in the previous fixture. He will be hoping to be on target once again and lead his side to an important win.
