United's Mbeumo goes back to Brentford, leaders Liverpool visit Palace

LONDON :Bryan Mbeumo will have mixed emotions if Brentford's former favourite scores on his first return to the Community Stadium with Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday.

There is unlikely to be much cheering from the home crowd if he does, but no real hard feelings either.

The striker, who forged a fertile partnership with also-departed Yoane Wissa, joined United in July for 65 million pounds ($87.40 million) and has already opened his league account.

Unlike Wissa, who joined Newcastle United after a protracted stand-off with Brentford and openly campaigning for a move, Mbeumo departed West London with his head held high and feeling the love.

He scored 70 goals in 242 appearances over six years for Brentford and produced a farewell thank-you video for the fans when he left.

"It's time to take off. Thank you Brentford for everything, forever. I will always love you and miss you all," he said then, a feeling the crowd are likely to reciprocate when he steps back out onto the pitch.

There will be no gifts in the early kickoff, however, with Brentford hovering just above the relegation places in 17th and Manchester United languishing in 11th spot after a far from convincing start to the campaign.

United beat Chelsea 2-1 at Old Trafford last weekend, their second win of the season, but have not won back-to-back league games since May last year and are yet to win away this campaign.

Brentford have also won two of their last three home encounters with United, although they are now under the new management of Keith Andrews following Thomas Frank's move to Tottenham Hotspur.

LIVERPOOL VISIT PALACE WITH UNBEATEN RECORDS ON THE LINE

At the top of the table, leaders Liverpool will try to maintain their 100 per cent record