Manchester United will be aiming to halt their three-game winless run in the Premier League when they welcome Brentford to Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.
United, who were beaten 4-0 by the Bees back in August, suffered a second defeat in their last three league outings on Sunday, losing 2-0 to fellow top-four hopefuls Newcastle United at St James' Park. That also marked a third league game in a row that the Reds had failed to score in.
Defeat to the Magpies, coupled with Tottenham Hotspur drawing 1-1 with Everton on Monday evening, means that United head into their tussle with the Bees in fifth. They have not won in the league since February 19 and have won just three of their last nine league outings.
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After producing such a flat and uninspiring performance against Newcastle, manager Erik ten Hag will be expected to make changes to his starting line-up against Brentford. United were off the pace on Tyneside, lacking both energy and desire, meaning they will be expected to deliver a much-needed response.
David de Gea, who prevented Newcastle from adding more goals to their tally on Sunday afternoon, is expected to retain his place in goal. He has started every Premier League fixture since the beginning of last season and he will be keen to add to his tally of 11 league clean sheets.
Ahead of the Spaniard, Ten Hag could hand a recall to Aaron Wan-Bissaka after he missed the clash with Newcastle through illness. The United manager, speaking at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday lunchtime, confirmed that he expects the former Crystal Palace man to be available.
Should that be the case, he should replace Diogo Dalot, who had a difficult afternoon at St James' Park. The rest of the back-four could remain the same, with Luke Shaw playing in the opposite full-back position, with Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez in the middle.
In midfield, Fred should be restored to the starting line-up and offer some much-needed energy. He could join forces with Marcel Sabitzer, who he started alongside during Casemiro's previous three-match suspension, and support Bruno Fernandes in a trademark midfield-three.
Up front, Antony, who was one of United's better performers against Newcastle, is likely to retain his place and start on the right-wing. Marcus Rashford should start on the left despite experiencing a difficult afternoon on Sunday.
Who plays in between Antony and Rashford promises to dominate the reaction when Ten Hag's starting line-up is confirmed an hour before kick-off. Patience are wearing thin with Wout Weghorst among the fans and they are determined to see him axed from the starting line-up and replaced by Anthony Martial.
However, Ten Hag is proving incredibly loyal to the Burnley loanee, meaning he could keep his place. But the prospect of a huge backlash from the fans might just twist his arm, meaning Martial could be awarded his first start since the 2-1 win over Manchester City on January 14.
Predicted United line-up vs Brentford: De Gea; Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Martinez, Shaw; Fred, Sabitzer, Fernandes; Antony, Martial, Rashford.
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