Casemiro is back to partner Christian Eriksen in the engine room, in the absence of Kobbie Mainoo, with Manuel Ugarte another not risked as a starter, as he is among the substitutes.
Matthijs de Ligt is another alteration to the team that drew 0-0 at Aston Villa before the international break.
Youngster Jack Fletcher is part of a senior matchday squad for the first time, with Darren's son the other midfield option, alongside Ugarte.
There are other absentees for Ten Hag to deal with, but the Reds will be looking for three points this afternoon.
"Jack’s doing very well," said the boss. "He was with us on the [pre-season] tour and is progressing very well, but [being in the squad] is also to do with injuries we have in midfield.
"Even players like Dan Gore and Toby Collyer, unfortunately, also picked up injuries. But we have to deal with it and [Jack] is coming and developing very well. He will get inspiration from [being in the squad], but he has to be ready, because when you’re on the bench, you can be picked and you have to contribute. We are confident he can do it."
THE TEAMS
United: Onana; Dalot, De Ligt, Martinez, Evans; Casemiro, Eriksen; Garnacho, Fernandes (c), Rashford; Hojlund.
Substitutes: Bayindir, Lindelof, Mazraoui, J. Fletcher, Ugarte, Amad, Antony, Wheatley, Zirkzee.
Brentford: Flekken; Van der Berg, Ajer, Pinnock, Collins; Norgaard, Janelt, Damsgaard; Mbuemo, Schade, Lewis-Potter.
Substitutes: Valdimarsson, Mee, Roerslev, Konak, Maghoma, Trevitt, Yarmoliuk, Carvalho, Wissa.
Ten Hag Survives Another Test
Erik ten Hag breathes again. Manchester United’s manager has spent most of the last two weeks facing a constant swirl of speculation over his future and even though he remained in charge for the visit of Brentford, a defeat would have been hard to survive.
De Ligt’s Head Injury Throws a Wrench in the Works
The trouble began in the 11th minute when De Ligt collided with Kevin Schade’s knee, gashing the top of his head. He spent four minutes getting treatment on the sidelines before returning to the field.
De Ligt passed concussion protocols and had his wound patched up, but had to leave the pitch twice more in the first half when referee Sam Barrott noticed blood still pouring out of the cut. The third time De Ligt left the field came deep into first-half stoppage time with Ten Hag’s men defending a corner.
With De Ligt reluctantly watching from the sidelines, Ethan Pinnock sprinted past his marker Diogo Dalot to head in Mikkel Damsgaard’s set-piece at the near post.
The concession, and the the fact that De Ligt was unable to help prevent it, sent the player, Ten Hag, and his assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy into a rage on the touchline.
It certainly posed several pointed questions. Why didn’t United’s medical team bandage De Ligt’s head on the first attempt? Why was the corner allowed to go ahead with De Ligt off the field off play? And why did Barrott send the Dutchman off to receive further treatment?
The answer to the third question, at least, is stated clearly in the IFAB rulebook:
“The referee… ensures that any player bleeding leaves the field of play. The player may only re-enter on receiving a signal from the referee, who must be satisfied that the bleeding has stopped and there is no blood on the equipment.”
De Ligt returned for the second half after receiving further treatment and ultimately the controversy was forgotten amid United’s second-half recovery.
Garnacho and Hojlund Lead the Charge
There was a moment towards the end of the first half where Rasmus Hojlund trod on Nathan Collins’ foot, sending the Brentford defender to the turf in agony.
Hojlund, ever the sport, asked for play to be stopped so Collins could get some treatment, only to spring into life when play continued and the ball was played into his feet and he fired a shot just wide.
When the ball went out of play, he then went back to asking for help for Collins. It was all a bit too nice from the striker, and his side spent much of the first half matching his politeness in front of Mark Flekken’s goal instead of forcing the issue.
United managed 10 shots in the first half, but when half-time came, United had a cumulative xG of 0.28 compared to Brentford’s 0.83 (for those who don’t speak stats, that is not good).
Which is why Garnacho’s goal – set up superbly with a crossfield pass from Marcus Rashford – brought things into sharp relief. United have often been a confidence side in 2024 and the punchy equaliser ennobled Ten Hag’s side to force the issue and disrupt Brentford’s build-up patterns.
Hojlund eventually got his goal in the 62nd minute, capping off a clever move that saw United pressure Brentford deep in their own half before Lisandro Martinez won the ball and recycled possession. A clever line-breaking pass from Christian Eriksen left Brentford defenders flat-footed before a flick-on from Bruno Fernandes freed the Denmark international in the penalty box and he dinked over Flekken.
United have not been prolific goalscorers under Ten Hag, but in Garnacho, they have a winger willing to “have a go” and test goalkeepers whenever possible. The Argentine finished proceedings having five shots on target, one shot off it, and two further shots that were blocked.
His tenacious ball-carrying provides an outlet for his side whenever they are on the back foot, and his link-up play with Rashford and Hojlund has potential. United took time to find their shooting boots on Saturday. Garnacho kept testing Flekken until his teammates found them.
Sir Alex Ferguson’s Absence Casts a Long Shadow
There was no Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, as you might expect after The Athletic revealed this week that United have brought his role as a club ambassador to an end as part of INEOS’s scything cuts, effective from the end of the season.
Instead, the Scot took in his old club Aberdeen’s trip to Celtic Park. But his presence could still be felt on Sir Matt Busby Way, with a group of supporters in the Stretford End chanting “Every Single One of Us…” solidly and for several minutes during the first half.
It was a reminder, were it needed, that although Ferguson will no longer be contractually connected to this club for the first time in almost 40 years, his legacy is indelible, and United’s present will always be measured against the standards he set in the past.
(Top photo: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)
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