Brentford dismantled Manchester United 4-0 in August, yet tonight’s visit to Old Trafford could be the Bees’ “most difficult game of the season”, according to manager Thomas Frank.
United were beaten by Brighton on the opening day, before four first-half goals saw them hammered by Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium.
It sparked calls from some corners for newly-appointed manager Erik ten Hag to be sacked just two games into his tenure. But since his atrocious start, Ten Hag has led United to EFL Cup glory, and they are now fifth with two games in hand on fourth-place Spurs.
Brentford — on the league’s most modest transfer budget and wage bill — have enjoyed an even more impressive campaign. Frank’s side currently occupy ninth place and are pushing for a European berth.
“We are potentially going into the most difficult game of the season,” Frank said. “We are going away to the biggest away ground, with those fans, against a very good side that are much more stable. Erik ten Hag and his staff have done a very good job. They’ve just won their first trophy and they are fighting for a Champions League spot.
“They lost [to Newcastle 2-0 on Sunday] so they will want to bounce back. Plus, we beat them last time, so they’ll doubly want to bounce back.
“They will be showing unbelievable determination, and their skillset is absolutely frightening when you look at the players they have in their squad. It will be difficult but we believe in ourselves that we can do something.”
Recalling their 4-0 rout back in August, Frank added: “That was a very, very good win in the history of Brentford. I don’t want to run away from that — we are very proud of that. For us to beat them is a big thing.
“But we know it will be a completely different game tonight.”
Brentford have continued to reach new heights since their promotion in May 2021. As well as thrashing United, they have beaten Liverpool, left the Etihad with all three points against Manchester City and drawn with Chelsea and league leaders Arsenal this term.
Their 12-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, which stretched back to October, was brought to an end by Everton last month. When that run reached 10 matches, Frank described his side’s form as “absolutely insane.”
Brentford head into tonight’s fixture in stronger form than their hosts. While the Bees have taken five points from their last three games, United have failed to win in the Premier League since lifting the EFL Cup in February.
Their recent downturn in form included a 2-0 defeat against Newcastle on Sunday and the 7-0 pummelling at the hands of bitter rivals Liverpool a month ago today.
Vitaly Janelt and Kristoffer Ajer are Brentford’s two main injury absentees, while United are still without Christian Eriksen, Alejandro Garnacho and the suspended Casemiro. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been unwell but could feature.
