Manchester United face Brentford in the Premier League with Erik ten Hag’s side under pressure as they look to end a five-game winless run.
United have made their worst ever start to a Premier League season but a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa before the international break bought the Dutchman some time.
Ten Hag hit out at “fairytales and lies” and said United have to “climb a mountain” to get back to where they want to be in the but there would be no hiding from reality should Brentford claim a result.
Thomas Frank’s side have lost all three of their away games in the Premier League this season – although they have come against Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham – but the Bees came into the weekend ahead of United in the table.
Manchester United vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League updates
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Man Utd host Brentford in Premier League with Erik ten Hag under pressure
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United are on a five-game winless run in all competitions
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Man Utd XI: Onana, Dalot, de Ligt, Evans, Martinez, Casemiro, Eriksen, Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund
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Brentford XI: Flekken, van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Ajer, Janelt, Norgaard, Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter, Schade
Manchester United FC 0 – 0 Brentford FC
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:28
United buzz with intent around the Bees’ box and it goes out to Garnacho. He takes on Van den Berg succesfully and fires on goal. However, Flekken saves well down to his right. The subsequent corner comes to nothing.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:27
Brentford have lost all three of their Premier League away games so far this season – they’ve not begun a league campaign with four straight losses on the road since 1961-62, when they lost their first nine in the third tier. They’ve admittedly looked the brightest out of the two teams so far here.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:23
Flekken drops his claim from the left-sided corner and it has to be cleared off the line with Hojlund lurking!
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:22
The corner falls to Garnacho after De Ligt leaves it. His shot is blocked but the hosts keep coming and Rashford’s left-sided cross is blocked by Pinnock.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:21
United have a corner on the right after Ajer puts a cross behind on that side. Eriksen will take.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:20
So far, Brentford have had 68% possession to United’s 32%. There have been zero attempts on the Bees’ goal so far.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:18
De Ligt is back on, presumably glued up. Brentford have a throw-in on the left with Pinnock. He can launch them. Damsgaard then fires, but can’t get hold of it and Martinez blocks.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:17
Lewis-Potter smashes his free-kick into the wall and United can build out. Reminder, De Ligt is still on the sideline receiving treatment. Untied down to ten.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:16
Well, after De Ligt receives treatment to a gash on the top of his head, it looks like the medics are going to try and strap him up further. It does look like Lindelof will be entering the fray at some point, despite De Ligt’s intent to stay on.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:14
De Ligt is down with a head injury. Schade has flicked the ball over the Dutchman and the defender has headered the German’s knee. Free-kick to Brentford, as the former Bayern man was nowhere near the ball.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:11
Brentford are in possession here, yet United have pressed them deep. Somehow the Bees have well to escape with Ajer, yet his pass on the edge of the United area is intercepted well by Garnacho’s slide. Great recovery.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:09
Mbeumo brings the ball down from a simply sublime Collins cross-field ping and the winger drives at Martinez before jinking back on his left. However,he can’t keep the shot down and it flies high and left of the target.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:07
Manchester United average 0.7 goals per game in the Premier League this season (five goals in seven games), compared to three goals per game across all other competitions this term (12 goals in 4 games).
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:06
Brenford should have the lead here. Janelt crosses excellently from the left and Evans miss-kicks it. Schade misses it too and United survive!
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:05
Fernandes makes a positive start on the left. He drives and fires in a low cross for Hojlund to try and latch onto at the near post. However, Flekken is out to claim.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:03
Onana finds the ball at his feet. He’s out of his box playing like a centre-back. Interesting.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:03
And we’re off. United look to keep possession and not allow the Bees yet another early goal.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:02
Manchester United will kick us off after the coin toss.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:02
Today’s official is Samuel Barrott, and he leads the players out to the Old Trafford turf. There’s a palpable tension around the place as Ten Hag’s future continues to hang in the balance. Will he get his team firing today? Or will United succumb to the dynamic speedsters from West London? All we know, is that this one should have all the makings of an entertaining watch.
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:57
Brentford boss Thomas Frank came within a matter of minutes of securing his side’s first Old Trafford victory since 1937 in the corresponding fixture last season. However, while Scott McTominay’s late strike denied him, hopes remain alive against this inconsistent United team this afternoon. For this meeting, Frank makes no changes to the team that whalloped Wolves 5-3 last time out, with attacking impetus very much in focus with the continued excellence of Bryan Mbuemo. He has scored six goals in his seven Premier League games this season, netting in each of his last three appearances. His next goal or assist will see him become the first Brentford player to register 50 Premier League goal involvements (currently 28 goals, 21 assists).
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:52
Erik ten Hag makes three changes to the Manchester United side that drew 0-0 with Aston Villa last time out in the Premier League. The injured Harry Maguire makes way while Noussair Mazraoui drops to the bench. Kobbie Mainoo is also out of the team. In their place, arrive Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, and Matthijs de Ligt.
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:47
SUBS: Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson, Ben Mee, Jayden Meghoma, Mads Roerslev, Ryan Trevitt, Yegor Yarmolyuk, Yunus Emre Konak, Fabio Carvalho, Yoane Wissa.
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:47
BRENTFORD (4-2-3-1): Mark Flekken; Sepp van den Berg, Nathan Collins, Ethan Pinnock, Kristoffer Ajer; Vitaly Janelt, Christian Norgaard; Bryan Mbuemo, Mikkel Damsgaard, Keane Lewis-Potter; Kevin Schade.
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:47
SUBS: Altay Bayindir, Noussair Mazraoui, Victor Nilsson Lindelof, Jack Fletcher, Manuel Ugarte, Amad Diallo, Antony, Ethan Wheatley, Joshua Zirkzee.
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:42
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Andre Onana: Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez; Casemiro, Christian Eriksen; Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Rasmus Hojlund.
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:42
Manchester United are hoping their home contest against Brentford will prove to be the start of a more consistent run of form after another turbulent spell in the Premier League campaign under divisive manager Erik ten Hag. Currently, United are in 13th place on eight points after seven matches. Manchester United earned a point in their last Premier League match, drawing 0-0 at Villa Park against Aston Villa, extending their winless streak to three (W0 D2 L1). Brentford defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers in a staggering 5-3 at home in their last league match. This ended a three-match winless streak, and left the visitors in 11th spot on 10 points through seven matches.
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:37
Hello everyone, and welcome to live text coverage of the Premier League’s Matchweek eight clash between Manchester United and Brentford at Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:30
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Manchester United vs Brentford
13:00
Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
