How Manchester United should line up vs Brentford in Premier League fixture

Manchester United take on Brentford away from home in the Premier League on Saturday evening.

Erik ten Hag lost his first game in charge of United on the opening day of the season against Brighton. United were defeated 2-1 by Brighton at Old Trafford and the Reds' lacklustre performance was reminiscent of those from last season.

Cristiano Ronaldo was substituted on in the second half of that match after starting on the bench. Ten Hag started Christian Eriksen as a false nine but that experiment didn't work, which means Ronaldo is expected to start at the Brentford Community Stadium.

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Ronaldo and Anthony Martial, who is sidelined with a hamstring injury, remain the only recognised strikers at the club.

Here's how our MEN writers think United should line up.

Samuel Luckhurst

United need to make substantial changes to the team last week but whatever line-up they go with it is imperfect due to the gaping hole in midfield. Fred was unfortunate to be sacrificed last week as Scott McTominay was worse.

The prospect of starting Lisandro Martinez and Tyrell Malacia as a left-sided combination against a team as structured as Brentford would be dicey, which is the prime reason why Harry Maguire is reprieved. Raphael Varane is United's best centre-back, so he has to start. As does Cristiano Ronaldo.

Dropping Christian Eriksen to a deeper role would be advisable, although retaining the same trio of forwards behind the frontman is not ideal.

Tyrone Marshall

Changes are a must after United's dismal opening day defeat to Brighton and to start at the front it's clear Ronaldo must begin the game, with Ten Hag abandoning the false nine experiment from last week.

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