Aheed Abrar
Brentford manager Thomas Frank believes Manchester United are favourites going into the second game of the Premier League season
Thomas Franks believes Manchester United are the favourites to win as the Red Devils visit the Gtech Community Stadium to face Brentford. Erik ten Hag is set to take charge in his second game in the Premier League.
The first match at Old Trafford against Brighton & Hove Albion didn’t go to plan as United lost the game. The Seagulls were the better side and took the game to the 13-time PL champions. The Red Devils look a side low on confidence at the moment.
However, speaking in the pre-match press conference (h/t Manchester Evening News), Frank picked United as the side to bet on. But the Brentford manager is confident about the Bees’ chances and believes his side has a chance to beat the Red Devils.
“I think there is no doubt that Manchester United are favourites, they can’t afford not to win against us tomorrow. Of course, we believe and we will do everything we can to beat them and I believe we have a good chance.”
On paper, United might have a better side. The Red Devils have one of the most exciting head coaches in world football as well at the moment. But the side clearly seems to lack fluidity at the moment.
Most people would’ve picked United as favourites against Brighton as well. We know how that ended. Ten Hag tried a different system than the ones fans had seen under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
Due to Anthony Martial’s injury and Cristiano Ronaldo’s apparent lack of match fitness, the Dutch manager started Christian Eriksen in the centre-forward position. Another interesting tactic was playing Fred as the deepest lying midfielder.
The pre-season under Ten Hag looked promising. The players seemed to have their groove back after not being up to the mark in the previous campaign. But we faltered against the Seagulls.
It seems clear that the former Ajax manager still needs time to gel the squad and implement his ideas. The club have also not been able to get some of the deals over the line in the transfer window. What sort of team we see in the next couple of months is anyone’s guess.
More Manchester United News
- United manager Erik ten Hag addresses transfer concerns ahead of trip to Brentford
- Transfer News: Manchester United are set to loan out Hannibal Mejbri this summer
- Manchester United are interested in PSG striker Mauro Icardi
For now, United need to focus on the next game against Brentford. The Red Devils won the two games last season in the PL against the West London side. But the pressure is on us to get the three points. After the Bees, we have another tough test as Liverpool visit Old Trafford.
