The total no-shows have been very rare, during this first season of the Erik ten Hag era at Manchester United, but they have happened.
Yesterday in a 2-0 loss at Newcastle United, it occurred again- this Red Devils side just did not really show up to actually play hard. Liverpool and Manchester City are two more examples, as was the reverse fixture against the next opponent, Brentford FC.
Manchester United vs Brentford FC FYIs
Kick off: 8pm local, Wednesday April 5, Old Trafford
United Starting XI Prediction: go here
Transatlantic Passage: How the Premier League Redefined Soccer in America: LINK
PL Form, Standing: United LDLWW 4th, 50 pts Brentford DDWLW 7th, 43 pts
Google Result Probability: United win 59% Draw 22% Brentford 19%
Manchester United Team News
Perhaps United will be very motivated here to flip the script on the last time they played the Bees, and they got stung.
In terms of team news, we’ll start with the very complicated issue of Mason Greenwood– while it appears his fate with the club won’t be decided until this offseason, we see a report today indicating that the club have turned down offers to sell him.
The club haven’t officially ruled out the idea of his return, now that the very serious criminal charges against him were dropped. Remember, the charges were dropped, and that is a very different concept than “exonerated” or “cleared.”
According to Team Talk, the future of Greenwood hinges on who the new owners will be, if/when the Glazers complete a sale. Elsewhere, according to United’s own official website, right back Aaron Wan-Bissaka faces a late fitness test in order to be cleared to face Brentford.
An “overnight illness” ruled him out of the squad that lost to the Magpies.
Also back-up goalkeeper Tom Heaton has joined Alejandro Garnacho, Donny van de Beek and Christian Eriksen (who is actually moving closer towards a return) on the list of long term injury absentees. With Eriksen, we did a post on the latest surrounding his situation here.
Regarding Heaton, the club’s official statement is:
“United will be without goalkeeper Tom Heaton for a few weeks as he recovers from an ankle injury he picked up prior to the international break.”
Van de Beek is done for the season while the return timeline for Garnacho remains unknown.
Paul M. Banks is the owner/manager of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He’s written for numerous publications, including the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. He regularly appears on NTD News and WGN News Now. Follow the website on Twitter and Instagram.