Brentford head coach Thomas Frank has praised Manchester United midfielders Scott McTominay and Fred ahead of his side's visit to Old Trafford on Wednesday night.
United are currently short on options in central-midfield because of Christian Eriksen's injury and Casemiro's suspension. The Brazilian is only halfway through his four-match ban and will not be available for selection domestically until the trip to Nottingham Forest on April 17.
Sunday's 2-0 defeat to Newcastle United at St James' Park saw Marcel Sabitzer and McTominay start alongside each other in central-midfield, operating slightly deeper than Bruno Fernandes at the tip of the Reds' midfield-three. United lacked energy in the centre of the park and sorely missed Fred's characteristics.
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That means he could be reinstated to the starting line-up against the Bees and partner either McTominay or Sabitzer, with Eriksen not yet available to make his return, despite returning to team training on Tuesday. McTominay and Fred, certainly as a paring, have faced no shortage of criticism in recent years, but Frank is a fan of the way they operate alongside each other.
"They have very good players, no matter what," said Frank, speaking to Brentford's club website. "Let's say Fred and [Scott] McTominay play there, they are very good and are doing fantastic in many ways.
"I guess Manchester United think that Eriksen and Casemiro are two of their better players and every team wants their best players on the pitch.
"But United have such a strong squad – they will put a decent team out there. They will create problems for us on Wednesday night but, of course, they'd like to have their best players on the pitch."
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