- Michael Carrick names Manchester United team for tonight (27 April)
- Patrick Dorgu named on bench
- Harry Maguire returns to XI after suspension
Manchester United are preparing ahead of tonight’s (27 April) crucial clash against Brentford in the Premier League.
Interim boss Michael Carrick has named his starting eleven for the first time since the narrow 1-0 win against Chelsea on 18 April. Amad returns to the starting eleven as Matheus Cunha misses out due to a hip flexor problem. The other big news is that Patrick Dorgu returns from injury. The Dane is named on the bench, seen for the first time since Michael Carrick’s second game in charge.
The Reds have had a short extended break due to a lack of participation in the latter rounds of the FA Cup. The game is televised on Sky Sports’ broadcast of Monday Night Football. The pre-match build-up features former Liverpool defender and pundit Jamie Carragher, and Everton’s Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.
Patrick Dorgu Returns
The big news is the return of Patrick Dorgu to the matchday squad. The fullback is only fit enough to make the bench, but has been working hard to get fit in time for this fixture. The 21-year-old enjoyed an excellent spell on the left wing, before getting injured in the 3-2 win against Arsenal in late January.
Harry Maguire also returns to the starting eleven after serving his suspension. The defender was sent off in the 2-2 draw against AFC Bournemouth before the international break. He was later charged and received a further one-game ban for improper conduct. The Englishman joins Ayden Heaven in central defence, who impressed United staff after his display in the win at Stamford Bridge.
Unfortunately, Cunha misses out tonight, with Bryan Mbuemo expected to start the game from the left-hand side. However, the Brazilian is expected to race toward fitness in time to face Liverpool at the weekend.
Cunha’s Absence is a Big Blow
Neither Mbuemo or Amad have been firing since returning from the African Cup of Nations a few months ago. Despite starting the season in strong fashion, the pair have struggled to truly impact games in 2026.
This is in contrast to Cunha, who has been a favoured player of Carrick’s. The Brazilian scored the goal against Chelsea in the last game with a tidy finish.
The United boss will have to rely on Joshua Zirkzee as a game-changer. However, the Diuchman has struggled to make an impact this season. Depending on the in-game situation, the 44 year-old may opt to bring Dorgu or Shea Lacey into the game. Ideally, it would be in a winning scenario, but the Bees will prove to be a tough opposition tonight.
Man Utd starting eleven: Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Mbeumo, Bruno Fernandes, Amad, Sesko.
Subs: Bayindir, Mazraoui, Mount, Zirkzee, Malacia, Dorgu, Ugarte, Yoro, Lacey.
