Needing just four points this season to seal a Champions League berth for the next one, Manchester United welcome Brentford on Monday night at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils have surged well under coach Michael Carrick as they now sit third in the league standings with 58 points across the board. Eight points separate them from sixth-placed Brighton, and they have virtually put their feet in next season’s Champions League. Following a 2-1 defeat to Leeds United earlier this month, United rebounded with a narrow
1-0 victory over rivals Chelsea thanks to a Matheus Cunha strike that saw them gain an advantageous position in the race for the top-five.
Three points on Monday will be huge for Carrick’s men ahead of their weekend clash against Liverpool. The hosts could have Leny Yoro fully fit in the side since he has recovered from his minor knock against Chelsea. Lisandro Martinez is suspended for this clash, while Harry Maguire will return to the defence after serving a two-match ban. Ayden Heaven could keep his place in the starting lineup.
Meanwhile, Brentford play this match with an eye on the European spots as they are only two points away from The Seagulls with a game in hand and one short of seventh-placed Bournemouth. Five games remain for The Bees to propel themselves in European competition next season, as manager Keith Andrews would certainly feel that an Europa League place is well within reach.
Brentford departed from the FA Cup in their fifth-round clash versus West Ham, where they were outscored in the penalty shootout by the Hammerers. Since a 4-3 victory over Burnley in February, the London side has drawn each of their five league games, and the results put them in ninth place with 48 points. Brentford have never beaten Manchester United away from home in their history in the Premier League and it remains to be seen how this matchup pans out.
Fabio Carvalho, Antoni Milambo, Vitaly Janelt, Rico Henry, Joshua DaSilva, Jordan Henderson and Kaye Furo will be unavailable to head coach Andrews for this match due to injuries. Igor Thiago will aim to continue his goalscoring form at the front.
Here are the predicted line-ups for the match between Manchester United and Brentford
Manchester United (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Dalot, Heaven, Maguire, Shaw; Mainoo, Casemiro; Amad, Fernandes, Cunha; Mbeumo.
Brentford (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Lewis-Potter; Jensen, Yarmolyuk; Ouattara, Damsgaard, Schade; Thiago.
