The end of the season can’t come quick enough for everyone associated with Manchester United after a disastrous campaign in which they went from predicted title challengers to a side that couldn’t even make the top four.
Monday’s tie against Brentford not only represents their last home game of the season, but also the final one at Old Trafford in which Ralf Rangnick will take charge as interim manager, before he takes on a two-year consultancy role in the summer.
And ahead of the game, Mirror Football takes a look at the predicted lineup for the Red Devils tonight as they look to go out on a high, despite failing to achieve a top four finish this season.
Although the club have failed to make it into the UEFA Champions League next season, they still need to at least secure a spot in the Europa League, and that will be the main objective with three games to go. With this in mind, it would be no surprise to see Rangnick name an unchanged side for the visit of the Bees, especially due to his limited options.
Tonight would present a good time for Dean Henderson to be given a run out in the first team in order to gain some valuable minutes, but David de Gea will be expected to keep his place as Man Utd’s No.1 between the sticks after starting in every Premier League game this season.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been struggling with a knock of late, so it is unlikely that he will replace Diogo Dalot at right back against Brentford here, who has started United’s last four games. On the opposite flank, Alex Telles will be expected to remain at left back while Luke Shaw remains absent.
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Harry Maguire was dropped against Arsenal last weekend, before missing out against Chelsea on Thursday with a knee injury - and he is not expected to be in contention for this game. This means that Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane should partner in the heart of the defence, with Phil Jones and Eric Bailly keeping their places on the bench.
With United likely to stick with a 4-2-3-1 formation, the midfield two should once again feature academy product Scott McTominay, who has been one of the more consistent players this season, and Nemanja Matic, who has filled in for the injured Paul Pogba. However, the Serbian may be dropped for Fred should the Brazilian be fit enough to play.
Jadon Sancho is likely to be out for the remainder of the season through illness, while there are doubts over Jesse Lingard’s involvement in the final three games after being omitted from Thursday’s squad against Chelsea for personal reasons, meaning Anthony Elanga and Marcus Rashford will be expected to retain their places on either wing.
Elanga has been one of the few positives in the United squad this season and will be relied on to provide some attacking impetus in the final third of the pitch, while Rashford has a huge point to prove after struggling for form this campaign, as questions begin to rise over the England international’s Old Trafford future.
Bruno Fernandes has recently signed a new contract at the club but has failed to record any goals or assists in his last eight Premier League games, yet due to United’s lack of options and long injury list, it will be no surprise to see him retain his place in the starting line-up behind the striker.
Finally, Cristiano Ronaldo will undoubtedly start up front following his goal against Chelsea last week and due to the fact he seems to be the only one who can find the back of the net for the Red Devils. Edinson Cavani could be set to return to the squad on Monday night, although it is unlikely that he will play from the off due his lack of match fitness.
Man Utd predicted lineup to face Brentford (4-2-3-1) : De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Varane, Telles; McTominay, Matic; Elanga, Fernandes, Rashford; Ronaldo.
