Man United aim to change the narrative at home to Brentford

By Karl Matchett

Quite how Erik ten Hag has lasted long enough to keep sight of that particularly niche anniversary remains a mystery, but for United to even have a chance at ending the run soon, they need to first put an end to successive 3-0 home league defeats.

Solace for the beleaguered boss comes in the fact that their next opponents, Brentford, remain without a single away league win themselves this term. While their home form puts United’s to shame – four wins from five in all competitions in 2024/25 – Thomas Frank has been unable to translate that to being on the road, with the Bees’ last top-flight victory outside of their own ground coming in May.

And yet despite that, there won’t be too many away fans who think a result is impossible in the north west on Saturday. Brentford are 11th, United 14th. Brentford have two points more and a goal difference which is superior by three. And if they have plenty of players missing through injury in attack, limiting the options for Frank to shuffle the pack, that might still be preferable to United’s absent bodies being scattered throughout the porous defence and soft centre which has been so brittle again this year.

As an example, Bryan Mbeumo – top ten in the league for goals, big chances created and expected assists, while United have nobody at all on any of those lists – remains available, and is in prime form. United have no player, attacker or otherwise, who has more than a single goal or a single assist in the Premier League this term. While individuality isn’t everything, it certainly helps to have a reliable source of chances.

And as a team? Well, Brentford have a better xG than United, have created more big chances and win the ball in the attacking third more times per game. United do, it should be noted, have the edge in xG conceded; however, given that the only half-dozen teams below them in that category are the relegation battlers, newly promoted teams and Brentford themselves, it’s dubious if Ten Hag would realistically highlight that as a positive. Then again, given league results over the past 300-odd days at Old Trafford, it’s hard to know any more exactly where they draw the line on something being negative either.

(Cover image from IMAGO)

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