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Manchester Evening News
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Jack Flintham

Pundits all agree on whether Erik ten Hag will get first Manchester United win vs Brentford

Manchester United will be hoping to get back to winning ways on Saturday when they travel to Brentford for the late kick-off.

The Reds fell to defeat in Erik ten Hag's first match in the Premier League on Sunday when Brighton visited Old Trafford. Pascal Gross scored twice to give the Seagulls a comfortable advantage at half-time.

An Alexis Mac Allister own goal made things interesting at the Theatre of Dreams but the visitors' advantage was unassailable. United's hosts this weekend, Brentford, did manage to come back from two goals down on Sunday with Ivan Toney and Josh Dasilva scoring to rescue a point at Leicester City.

ALSO READ: United have opportunity to scout new striker

Ahead of the match in London, this is what three famous pundits think the outcome will be.

Chris Sutton - BBC Sport

Discussing the match at the Brentford Community Stadium, Sutton told BBC Sport: "Usually I'd expect Manchester United to react after what happened against Brighton on Sunday. Not this time though, because United have got issues everywhere.

"I'm not blaming Erik ten Hag for the situation they are in, but he has to try to fix their problems. At the back, I don't fancy Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire against Ivan Toney.

"Up front, Cristiano Ronaldo should return to lead the line - but how fit is he? Like Brighton, Brentford are very well-drilled and unless United click, they are going to struggle again.

"Also, although in the end United thought better of signing Bologna striker Marko Arnautovic, they deserve to lose just for thinking about buying him. Some people might think this prediction is bad - but it's not half as bad as United being linked with Arnautovic in the first place."

Score prediction: Brentford 3-0 Manchester United

Paul Merson - Sportskeeda

Sportskeeda pundit Merson said: "Brentford pulled off a great comeback last week. Manchester United were Manchester United, weren't they? They're no different from last season, and I don't see them winning this game. One's a team, and the other one isn't.

"Man United are exactly the same as they were last season. They don't have an identity. You see Premier League teams go out with a plan, move the ball, and work through the lines. With Manchester United, if it happens, it'll happen - it hasn't been worked on.

"I'm not sure if Cristiano Ronaldo will start this game. If he's not staying, why would you start him? It depends on what's going on behind the scenes. They need to move on sooner rather than later.

"A week-and-a-half ago, he walked out of the ground because he wasn't playing. To say that his behaviour is unacceptable and then to have him play in the first Premier League game of the season is no big statement by the manager.

"Manchester United are all over the place at the moment, and I'd be shocked if they pulled off a victory here. I don't see Brentford losing this match, and a draw is a fairly likely outcome."

Score prediction: Brentford 1-1 Manchester United

Mark Lawrenson - Paddy Power

The former Liverpool defender told Paddy Power: "Brentford did well coming back to get a 2-2 against Leicester but Manchester United, apart from the first 10 minutes, were basically a shambles in their 2-1 loss to Brighton last weekend. It’s going to be a massive task for Erik ten Hag, they didn’t even look fit.

"A lot of them didn’t seem to know what they were doing and what their role was in the team. With a new manager you hope that might have been nailed down. Brentford fought back really well at Leicester and are a well-drilled side."

Score prediction: Brentford 1-1 Manchester United

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