Brentford vs Man United: Preview, prediction, team news and lineups

In partnership with

FanSided World Football

·03 de maio de 2025

Brentford vs Man United: Preview, prediction, team news and lineups

Brentford have won just one of their last 12 encounters with Manchester United, dating back 87 years, albeit the Red Devils have failed to win either of their last two visits to West London.

After both enjoyed memorable away wins on Thursday, who will prevail in West London? For Manchester United, their full focus is on the Europa League, and there is now genuine belief that they could go all the way in that competition. In midweek, the Red Devils took a gigantic step towards the final, smashing Athletic Club 3-0 in the first leg in Bilbao.

Vídeos OneFootball

Brentford vs Manchester United preview

All the action came during an eventful first 45 minutes, during which Casemiro nodded the visitors in front at San Mamés, Athletic were then reduced to ten men, before Bruno Fernandes scored twice in just seven minutes.

So, Man United kicks off at Old Trafford on Thursday, boasting a surely unassailable advantage, thereby planning to return to Bilbao for the final later this month, with silverware and a Champions League place firmly within reach.

Back in the Premier League, Rúben Amorim's team salvaged a 1-1 draw at Bournemouth last Sunday, thanks to Rasmus Højlund's 96th minute equaliser by the South Coast. Nevertheless, the Red Devils are now without a win in five, claiming victory from just four of their last 18, beating only Fulham, Leicester, Ipswich and Southampton since 15 December; can they add to that list on Sunday?

As for Brentford, they kept alive their European aspirations by beating Nottingham Forest 2-0 on Thursday night, with Kevin Schade and then Yoane Wissa both on target during a shock victory at the City Ground. That made it back-to-back victories for Thomas Frank's team, who've now won six Premier League away games in 2025, at least two more than any other club.

This win leaves the Bees 11th, a mere two points adrift local rivals Fulham, who are the currant occupants of the final potential European spot. After this, Brentford's remaining fixtures are Ipswich (A), Fulham (H) and then Wolves (A), so a strong finish to the campaign could see them qualify for UEFA competition for the first time ever. Two seasons ago, the Bees demolished Manchester United 4-0 at home, one of their most famous wins in the top-flight, so can they repeat the feat?

Brentford vs Manchester United head-to-head record

Matches Played: 20.

Brentford team news

Despite the quick turnaround, Thomas Frank could name an unchanged lineup for a third successive match, featuring January signing Michael Kayode once again getting the nod over Kristoffer Ajer at right-back. Rico Henry came on at half time in Nottingham, thereby making his longest Premier League appearance since rupturing his ACL all the way back in September 2023.

Meanwhile, Vitaly Janelt's season is over following heel surgery, while Aaron Hickey, Josh Dasilva, Fábio Carvalho and Igor Thiago also remain sidelined.

Brentford predicted lineup vs Manchester United: (4-2-3-1): Flekken; Kayode, Collins, van den Berg, Lewis-Potter; Nørgaard, Yarmolyuk, Damsgaard; Mbeumo, Wissa, Schade.

Brentford player to watch vs Manchester United

Yoane Wissa took his tally to 17 for the season by dinking home the clincher on Thursday, now looking to score against Manchester United for the first time, with this set to be his eighth attempt.

Manchester United team news

Even if Rúben Amorim would like to heavily rotate and prioritise the Europa League, his thin squad will not allow him to do so. Diogo Dalot, Lisandro Martínez, Ayden Heaven, Toby Collyer and Joshua Zirkzee remain sidelined but, in a major boost, Amad came off the bench for a late cameo in Bilbao, his first appearance since 7 February due to an ankle injury.

Luke Shaw was in the lineup at Bournemouth last Sunday, his first start since the Euro 2024 Final in June, while this was his first club start since February last year against Luton, a gap of 434 days. He will be hoping for more minutes here, as will fit-again Matthijs de Ligt while Mason Mount could also start; his most-recent Man United goal came at Brentford on Easter weekend over a year ago.

Manchester United player to watch vs Brentford

Rasmus Højlund scored just his fourth Premier League goal of the season last Sunday, so can he net in West London, as he did in the reverse fixture in October?

Brentford vs Manchester United prediction

We are backing Brentford for victory on Sunday. The Bees are fully focussed on this fixture, while the same cannot be said about Man United, hence why we're forecasting a home win: Brentford 3-1 Manchester United.