- Manchester United face Brentford
- Three Reds need to be at their best
- Matheus Cunha injured
Manchester United welcome Brentford to Old Trafford tonight. Michael Carrick will be eager for his side to get all three points, and might need three players rise to the occasion.
After a rusty start to April with a 2-1 defeat to Leeds United, the Red Devils bounced back with a 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. A late first-half strike from Matheus Cunha, who misses tonight’s match, was enough to seal the game.
United have tended to lean heavily on the departing Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes for inspiration. This won’t always work, as the whole squad needs to lock in Champions League qualification next season.
Brentford won’t be an easy battle because, under Keith Andrews, the Bees have been this season’s surprise package. Here are three players who need to come to the fore at the Theatre of Dreams tonight.
Harry Maguire
The English defender has returned from a two-game suspension following a red card in the 2-2 draw against Bournemouth in March. He missed the Leeds loss and the win over Chelsea.
Maguire’s leadership was missed during this period and he will be vital for Carrick and his team tonight against the prolific Igor Thiago. Ayden Heaven and Noussair Mazraoui were the new pair who started against Chelsea.
With the Reds requiring six points to qualify for the Champions League, the 31-year-old’s presence is relied upon for the upcoming games, starting with Brentford.
Kobbie Mainoo
Kobbie Mainoo has flourished under Carrick, and the interim coach will expect him to control proceedings against Brentford. His presence in midfield, along with his partnership with Casemiro, has been key, and without it the team tends to struggle, such as in the Leeds defeat.
The 20-year-old is believed to have agreed terms with the club over a new contract. His boss felt that his display against Chelsea was the best he’s performed since the change in manager.
Bryan Mbeumo
Bryan Mbeumo prepares to face his former club, Brentford and will need to be at his best. Despite a rough patch, the Cameroon international has been United’s Premier League joint-top scorer with nine goals, his last coming against Tottenham Hotspur in February.
However, the 26-year-old’s drop in form has not affected United’s results, as they have won eight of twelve games. With Benjamin Sesko joining him on as many goals in the league, he is under pressure to perform on Monday.
Mbeumo’s claim to being the Premier League’s best signing of last summer is starting to lose weight. The Brentford game could go a long way in determining if he can be a talisman on European nights next season.
