Manchester United minds will be firmly fixed on Thursday, but there is still Premier League football to be played this season.
The 2024/25 season has moved into the final act, with three weeks until the season closes against Aston Villa at Old Trafford. Despite domestic struggles, Manchester United still have plenty to play for over the coming weeks.
Following Thursday’s brilliant 3-0 thumping of Athletic Club over in Bilbao, United hold a commanding aggregate lead for the second leg. Despite this, United remain wary of a comeback.
Due to this, it is expected that Ruben Amorim will heavily rotate his team on Sunday against Brentford because, with nothing to play for domestically, it would be silly to take any risks.
Amorim could lean on the academy for his team against Brentford, having admitted previously that he would have to take risks to give himself the strongest chance in Europe, regardless of how comfortable a lead is held.
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty ImagesHow Manchester United could line-up vs Brentford
It is a game which means very little for United, considering 13th is the height of where United could finish this season, and therefore we are expecting Amorim to field a changed line-up.
So with this in mind, here is how we predict United will line-up on Sunday.
One position unlikely to change is goalkeeper, with Onana looking to continue building on his improvements in form over the past few weeks.
Moving into the backline and we expect Fredricson to be handed his second start for United. Fredricson was excellent against Wolves which surely means he is considered a viable option by Amorim.
In the middle, United should not risk using Harry Maguire or a recently returned Matthijs de Ligt, and therefore, we expect it will be Lindelof who has a hot and cold night against Bilbao.
On the left of the back three, Shaw should be handed the chance to start and build his fitness further as he looks to stake his claim not to be sold this summer.
At right wing-back, Amorim has confirmed Noussair Mazraoui won’t be available, keeping him fresh for Thursday, and therefore Kamason could make his first team debut. The 18-year-old has been banging on the door for weeks, and this could be his big chance.
In midfield, Casemiro needs to be wrapped in cotton wool ahead of Thursday, and so Ugarte should be starting with Toby Collyer injured. Ugarte was taken off early against Athletic and so should be able to play this one, with Sekou Kone surely in line for a debut off the bench.
Partnering Ugarte, Mainoo needs more game time, and while he is unlikely to start against Athletic, he should be in line for a start against Brentford. He could easily start further forward, but we have him as a number eight in this one.
Starting at left wing-back, Amorim also suggested Patrick Dorgu needs a rest, and so we assume it will be Amass who steps into the starting line-up for a third time after not featuring in back to back games.
Behind the striker, Amorim likely rests his two usual starters, so replacing Alejandro Garnacho on the right, we predict, will be Eriksen.
On the left, giving Bruno Fernandes a rare and overdue rest, we expect will be Mount, although don’t be shocked if Jack Moorhouse is handed his debut in this one, as he has waited months.
Finally, starting up front, we predict will be Obi who finally gets his chance leading the line from the start. Rasmus Hojlund should be rested ahead of Thursday, so it’s a golden chance for Obi to step up and shine.
Manchester United predicted XI vs Brentford – GRV Media line-up tool