How Manchester United could line up vs Brentford

How Manchester United could line-up vs Brentford after Kobbie Mainoo injury blow

17 Oct 2024, 20:00 by Isaac Johnson · Manchester Evening News

Erik ten Hag will give an update on Kobbie Mainoo in Friday’s press conference, but the Manchester United midfielder is expected to be sidelined for a number of weeks.

The 19-year-old withdrew from England duty this international break through injury and club media have indicated that his muscle problem could rule him out for a number of games. The same applies to Harry Maguire, who sustained his muscle issue against Aston Villa.

Manuel Ugarte is another concern after he was taken off in Uruguay’s goalless draw with Ecuador on Wednesday after appearing to sustain a knock. Mason Mount is meanwhile still recovering from setbacks picked up against Tottenham last month.

There is better news regarding three other players. Alejandro Garnacho, Noussair Mazraoui and Amad all took part in group training on Thursday after being ruled out of international duty.

Tyrell Malacia is nearing a return after an 18-month absence but, like fellow left-back Luke Shaw, will not be ready for Saturday’s clash with Brentford. As a result, United’s squad could be stretched with problems to solve regarding their line-up against the Bees.

Goalkeeper: Onana

Believe it or not, Andre Onana tops the Premier League clean sheet chart with four blanks to his name. He has been one of few United players to have built some credit this season. There’s no danger of him being dropped.

Defence: Dalot, De Ligt, Martinez, Evans

Mazraoui may have trained this week but his recent heart procedure still makes him a doubt for the cut-and-thrust of a match. In which case, there may be a bit of a rejig in defence.

Diogo Dalot will likely move into his natural right-back role, with reports suggesting Jonny Evans - now retired from Northern Ireland - might play at left-back following his man of the match display against Villa. Matthijs De Ligt was dropped for that game and only came on due to Maguire's injury.

The Dutchman contributed to the clean sheet and was chosen to be brought on at centre-half ahead of Victor Lindelof, who took the place of Mazraoui at right-back at half-time. This all means a space opens back up for Lisandro Martinez to return to his left-centre-back slot.

Midfield: Casemiro, Eriksen, Fernandes

Christian Eriksen ought to be played due to his good form as much as necessity. Ugarte failed to get off the bench in United’s last two games and him being a doubt perhaps makes his line-up inclusion further unlikely.

Casemiro has stabilised since that awful showing against Liverpool and has kept out Ugarte, who is being painted as his eventual usurper. Captain Bruno Fernandes, who has four assists, is undroppable despite being yet to score for United this season.

Attack: Amad, Hojlund, Rashford

Marcus Rashford was lucky not to be suspended for this game given his daft tackle while on a yellow card at Villa Park, but two weeks of rest having been overlooked for England again puts him in a strong position to start.

It’s a toss up between Amad and Garnacho on the right. Amad could get the nod given he missed international duty through illness rather than fitness, like Garnacho did. Rasmus Hojlund has scored as many as Joshua Zirkzee has (one) in five fewer games and 330 fewer minutes.