With two wins, two losses and a draw that feels like a loss in the last five games, and with a group of players that are apparently anything but harmonious, it is important that Ralf Rangnick soon gets the United ship back on track.
The German will have the opportunity to adjust the course on Wednesday night, when he and his subjects visit Brentford Community Stadium in London, to what will be the first meeting between Brentford and United since the League Cup in 1975.
United are dependent on the winds soon coming in the sails if the hope of a Champions League-rewarding fourth place will continue to live on.
On the way into the match, United have five points up to West Ham, which currently holds the generous table position. How many matches the teams in the fourth place war have played, however, varies greatly.
Rangnick also has several of his biggest profiles left. Cristiano Ronaldo returns after an ever so small injury break, while Scott McTominay is back after his suspension.
Marcus Rashford is also back in the squad. The Englishman, like Ronaldo, has suffered an injury. Edinson Cavani, however, is out of the squad, having started last.
Harry Maguire is reported to be not quite ready again after his injury and the captain thus gets a place on the bench, while Raphaël Varane and Victor Lindelöf retain their place in central defense.
It is also worth noting that Anthony Martial is back in the squad, after the recent conflict with coach Rangnick.
This is how the teams pose:
United: De Gea; Dalot, Lindelöf, Varane, Telles; McTominay, Fred, Fernandes; Greenwood, Ronaldo, Elanga.
Benches: Heaton, Henderson, Jones, Maguire, Mata, Van de Beek, Matic, Martial, Rashford.
Brentford: Lössl; Pinnock, Jansson, Sørensen; Rasmussen, Jensen, Nørgaard, Janelt, Canós; Mbeumo, Toney.
Benches: Fernández, Henry, Forss, Wissa, Ghoddos, Ajer, Baptiste, Bidstrup, Stevens.
Kick-off is 21.00. The match is broadcast on TV 2 Play (Norway), V Sport Premium / Viaplay (Sweden) and See / Viaplay (Denmark).
–
