Game Week 8 Predictions: Manchester United and Brentford to settle for a point each

Preview of Manchester United vs. Brentford, analyzing team form, injuries, and lineups. Both teams struggling, but expect goals in this crucial Game.

Manchester United and Brentford have different reasons to win, will Thomas Frank hijack Ten Hag's job at Old Trafford? (Photo credit: Opta)

Manchester United vs. Brentford

Old Trafford Stadium

3:00pm

Manchester United has only scored five goals in the league this season; they have played seven games and have lost three times already, leaving them with their worst start to a season in the Premier League era, breaking Erik Ten Hag’s poor record of last season.

As Brentford begins this fixture, looking down on their opponents in the league table, you must wonder how they feel about sitting three places above the Red Devils. It’s a game that could seal the fate of Ten Hag. How will this pan out?

Upon closer examination, Ten Hag has shortlisted Thomas Frank as a potential replacement at Old Trafford. If he were to defeat United once more, which would not be the first time, he would present a strong case for the position.

Ten Hag doesn't appear to be under pressure, and if you look at the names on the shortlist to replace him, none of them boast about their credentials. Furthermore, with Thomas Tuchel now playing for the 3 Lions, who is the manager in the market to replace Ten Hag?

How will they line up? Ten Hag made a surprising rotation last time around, leaving all his signings on the bench and pairing Harry Maguire in defence with 36-year-old Johnny Evans instead of Lisandro Martinez and Mthhijs De Ligt. That was an intriguing one.

We have learned about the injuries to Kobbie Mainoo and Maguire, necessitating a reshuffle by Ten Hag. Mason Mount is out, and another veteran, Christian Eriksen, will need to step in again. Manuel Ugarte is finding life at Old Trafford challenging.

The visitors' growing injury list is a concern for Thomas Frank. Mattias Jensen and Mikel Damsgaard are both unavailable, leaving Vitaly Janelt and Fabio Carvalho as the options in midfield for the Bees.

In the absence of Ivan Toney, who departed for the Saudi Pro League in the summer, Bryan Mbeumo stands out as the most promising player in the Brenford lineup. Whatever the United pairing is doing on Saturday in the sunshine at Old Traford, they must prepare for the Brentford playmaker.

For the hosts, you don’t know who will turn up. Joshua Zirkzee started with aplomb. A goal on his debut looked promising, but he hasn’t done anything meaningful since then. Alejandro Garnacho is struggling, and Marcus Rashford isn’t firing. Who will score for United?

Verdict: Both teams will score.