(4-1-4-1): Mainoo and Yoro starts but Rashford and TWO other regular starters all out as Erik ten Hag names a very strong Lineups against Brentford
Manchester United could be without up to at least seven first-team players for the visit of Brentford on Saturday.
The game comes after the October international break and Erik ten Hag is under enormous pressure to get results after a turbulent start to the season. His opposing manager this weekend, Thomas Frank, was quick to defend him against the media scrutiny ahead of the game.
Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire have been ruled out for weeks with injuries, adding to a string of problems Ten Hag already faces in terms of absentees. The list includes Mason Mount, Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia.
There is some good news Manuel Ugarte and Noussair Mazraoui are both available, despite fears they would miss the game with separate issues.
It was also confirmed that Amad Diallo and Alejandro Garnacho returned to training on Thursday after both players missed international duty.
Ten Hag has Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez, Matthijs de Ligt and Victor Lindelof to select from in the heart of defence. That means we’ll likely see Diogo Dalot remain at left-back.
The one area United are light in ahead of Brentford’s visit is midfield. We could see Christian Eriksen start seven of the last eight matches alongside Casemiro, who we need to see improve this season. Bruno Fernandes is expected to captain the side in an attacking free roam role.
Marcus Rashford is expected to start on the left flank while Garnacho will play on the opposite flank. It’ll be either Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee up front for the Reds.
The caretaker Denmark manager recently warned that everyone must be patient with Hojlund, who missed the first seven weeks of the season with a hamstring injury. He’s still young but looks like more like a goal threat than Zirksee at this moment in time.
Manchester United predicted XI vs Brentford: Onana; Mazraoui, De Ligt, Martinez, Dalot; Ugarte, Eriksen, Fernandes; Garnacho, Hojlund, Rashford.
