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Brentford away is the place the place the early nadir of Erik ten Hag’s reign at Manchester United arrived.
Simply because the Dutchman was settling his ft beneath his desk, an away recreation to the Bees introduced a chastening 4-0 defeat final 12 months and with it, confirmed Ten Hag the dimensions of the duty at hand.
Each golf equipment have come a great distance since that recreation. United completed final season effectively however have stuttered this time, whereas Thomas Frank’s miracle males seem like they’re lastly operating out of steam.
With Brentford lacking eight gamers by means of accidents and suspension, it’s arguably the best time for Ten Hag’s males to tackle what’s more and more changing into a banana pores and skin for “the elites” of the league.
Listed below are the tactical themes which is able to resolve the game-
The set-piece aid
Sir Dave Brailsford is perhaps the pioneer of the “marginal features” philosophy, however no different membership has used it as a lot, and as successfully, as Brentford.
An enormous a part of these marginal features is their superiority on set-pieces.
Final season, they scored 16 from set-plays, the second-highest within the league alongside Tottenham, with solely Liverpool forward with 17.
This season, nevertheless, there was a stark decline in numbers. At present, Brentford are 14th in that desk, scoring solely seven so removed from set-pieces.
An enormous motive behind this decline is the harm bug which has decimated their staff for giant components of the season. Towards United, it is going to be extra of the identical. Sergio Reguilon, their first-choice set-piece taker, and Christian Norgaard, their greatest aerial menace, are each lacking by means of suspension and harm.
Simply as effectively, as a result of United aren’t notably adept at avoiding set-piece targets. That’s an enormous respite United will look to capitalise on.
Ticking Toney bomb
The final time United confronted Brentford, they had been saved by a late double by Scott McTominay however Brentford had been lacking a key motive why they had been solely up by a single objective.
Ivan Toney was nonetheless serving his betting ban on the time however the English ahead is now again and enjoying like he by no means left. He has scored 4 in 10 video games however his general play has introduced the most effective out of the entire assault.
Once more, United are enjoying towards them at the most effective time as Lisandro Martinez can be again to cope with Toney’s menace. The Argentine has already proven that he’s not one to be outmuscled bodily regardless of the peak drawback.
His combative model of play is completely suited to be deployed towards Toney who is an effective old style striker. Ten Hag is anticipated to proceed together with his 4-2-3-1 which suggests Martinez will seemingly have Varane in addition to him to help his efforts of containing Toney.
Who is aware of, Toney may even be Martinez’s teammate subsequent season!
Artwork of game-management
Earlier this season, Wolves misplaced at residence to Brentford and after the sport, supervisor Gary O’Neil was at pains to level out how Frank’s aspect simply stops you from enjoying, particularly if they’re within the lead.
Snappy fouls, delays in restarting the sport, play-acting, and simply being a common nuisance are how Brentford have turned themselves right into a nightmare matchup for any staff, no matter their type.
United lastly confirmed some grit and struggle of their thrilling comeback win over Liverpool simply earlier than the worldwide break and that spirit can be fiercely examined towards Brentford.
The group will make it a cauldron and Brentford are assured to start out quick. Taking the sting out of the sport with calm and composed play after which imposing their authority is the important thing to victory right here. United can’t afford to get dragged into Brentford’s model of play and lose their heads. That’s how 4-0 defeats occur. Ten Hag has seen it firsthand by now.
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