Manchester United predicted line-up vs. Brentford - one key change made amid £83m forward’s return

Two damaging defeats on the bounce has seen Manchester United lurch deeper into an early-season crisis, so fans will be desperate for a win when they welcome Brentford to Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon – but more than a few will also remember the 4-0 thrashing that Erik ten Hag’s side took at the hands of the Bees back at the start of the Dutchman’s reign a little over a year ago.

And Ten Hag still has a lengthy injury list as he begins preparations to avoid a repeat of that particular humiliation, but can at least call upon Antony, who is back in training and once again available for selection after remaining in Brazil following the last international break to help police there with allegations of assault.

Let’s bring you all of the latest team news and injury updates, as well as our best guess at the starting eleven, ahead of the game on Saturday.

Goalkeeper & Defence

The big question mark for United in the back line hangs over the head of Tottenham Hotspur loanee Sergio Reguilón, who has missed the past three matches with an apparent hamstring injury. He is close to a return and reports suggest that United are preparing for him to play against Brentford, but there is no guarantee that he will be ready to start at this stage. If he remain unavailable, Sofyan Amrabat will have to fill in at left-back for the fourth consecutive game.

Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martínez, Tyrell Malacia, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Tom Heaton are all long-term injury concerns and none of them will be available this weekend. Raphaël Varane, Victor Lindelöf and Diogo Dalot are likely to continue at the back despite recent results and performances.

Midfield

Casemiro’s red card against Galatasaray will see him suspended for the next European match, against FC København, but will not affect his availability for Premier League games so he will presumably start against Thomas Franks’ side.

There is some good injury news over youngster Kobbie Mainoo, as well, who has returned to training in recent days following an ankle injury picked up in pre-season – he won’t be ready for gametime just yet, however. Mason Mount, Christian Eriksen and Hannibal Mejbri will compete for a midfield role alongside Casemiro.

Forwards

None of the young forwards on United’s books have stepped up to the plate in Antony’s absence, and experiments with a midfield diamond with Bruno Fernandes playing in the most advanced role – a tactic Ten Hag tried again against Galatasaray – have not had the most encouraging results. The Brazilian came on for the last few minutes against in the defeat on Tuesday, and could well be in line to start on Saturday.

The only injury doubt in United’s attacking line is Amad Diallo, who has returned to fitness training after several months on the sidelines. He is unlikely to be fully fit by the time Brentford arrive at Old Trafford, however, but otherwise United have a clean bill of health for their front three, with Rasmus Højlund liable to continue through the middle after scoring twice in midweek.

Full predicted line-up vs. Brentford

Onana; Amrabat, Lindelöf, Varane, Dalot; Casemiro, Mount, Fernandes; Rashford, Højlund, Antony.