- Manchester United face Brentford on Monday, 27 April
- Two stars United should be keeping their eyes on
- What a win would mean for Manchester United.
As Manchester United gear up to face Brentford at home in the Premier League on Monday, 27 April, two players demand close attention as the Red Devils prepare for a revolving-door summer window.
Earlier in the season, United reached one of their lowest points, falling to a 3-1 defeat to the Bees at the Gtech Community Stadium. Bruno Fernandes surprisingly missed his second penalty of the season in that loss.
As a result, the spotlight swung back onto Ruben Amorim, who had promised brighter days, yet instead watched his side slide back to 14th in the league after collecting just seven points from their opening six matches.
Controversy defined much of that contest when Nathan Collins avoided a red card for dragging down Bryan Mbeumo in the box, an incident that stood in stark contrast to Harry Maguire being sent off for a similar offence months later at Bournemouth. Even so, Benjamin Sesko provided a rare bright spot, grabbing his first goal for the club with a scrappy finish in the 26th minute.
Now, exactly seven months on from one of their most disjointed displays of the season, United return with a clear objective: exact revenge and, in doing so, strengthen their position in the race for Champions League qualification.
Which Bees Should Man United Eye?
As United gear up for a significant summer window, there are two players the club’s scouts must track closely. The weakest areas of the Reds’ squad right now are arguably in central attack, amid a lack of a viable backup to Benjamin Sesko, and at right-back, with question marks over Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui.
While the Red Devils possess capable options in both roles, they still need either a clear upgrade or genuine competition to raise the level.
Igor Thiago
Benjamin Sesko has improved markedly under Michael Carrick, but the Slovenian—still only 23, turning 24 on May 31—remains raw in key moments.
He thrives when forced into split-second decisions, as shown in the 3-1 win against Aston Villa. In the 81st minute, Sesko took the ball in stride and struck instinctively before any Villa defender could close him down. The effort took a heavy deflection, but still found the net.
However, just three minutes later, Sesko collected the ball 35 yards out following a line-breaking pass from Bruno Fernandes. One-on-one with Emiliano Martinez, he opted to pass to Amad instead of shooting.
| Igor Thiago (Premier League 2025-26) | Statistic |
| Appearances | 33 |
| Goals | 21 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 19.10 |
| Expected Assists (xA) | 1.77 |
| Total Shots | 76 |
| Shots on Target | 39 |
| Big Chances Missed | 17 |
| Penalty Goals | 7 |
| Touches in Opposition Box | 147 |
| Successful Dribbles | 27 |
| Aerial Duels Won | 100 |
| Minutes per Goal | 135 min |
That hesitation highlights where Thiago could apply real pressure. The Brazilian sits as the second-highest scorer in the league with 21 goals—just three behind Erling Haaland—and at 24, he has already adapted to the league more convincingly than Sesko.
Together, the pair could push each other relentlessly for the starting role.
Michael Kayode
Michael Kayode could place sustained pressure on both Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui in the battle for the right-back spot. At just 21, the Italian offers a long-term solution on the right flank for the next decade.
After arriving last summer following a strong six-month loan spell, Kayode still shows raw edges, but with the right guidance, he could push toward becoming first choice.
| Statistic | 2025/26 Season (Current) |
| Appearances | 32 |
| Starts | 32 |
| Goals | 1 |
| Assists | 1 |
| Expected Goals (xG) | 0.72 |
| Expected Assists (xA) | 2.65 |
| Chances Created | 22 |
| Big Chances Created | 4 |
| Successful Dribbles | 47 (52% success rate) |
| Touches in Opposition Box | 38 |
| Successful Crosses | 14 (26% accuracy) |
| Total Passes | 1,235 (78% completion) |
Dalot and Mazraoui each bring clear strengths, yet both carry flaws in their game. Kayode shares some of those issues, but his age gives him the scope to iron them out much more quickly than the more established options.
