Two teams desperate for a spark meet on Sunday as Manchester United host Brentford at Old Trafford. Both clubs have stumbled out of the gates this Premier League season.

The Red Devils have dropped points in consecutive matches, looking out of sorts in front of their own fans. Manager Ten Hag has struggled to settle on a best XI.

The former Ajax boss has tinkered intelligently with tactics and personnel until he finds a formula that gets the best from his talented squad.

The Dutchman has instilled more structure and a clearer playing identity without unbalancing an expensively assembled squad overflowing with game-changing talent, but still, things are not working out for him.

Meanwhile, Brentford are winless in their last 5 league games as their attack has gone cold. Injuries have disrupted the Bees' rhythm.

When these two scuffling sides meet, something has to give. United will look to break their puzzling home funk, with Bruno Fernandes sure to lead the line after scoring his first goal of the season last weekend.

Manchester United vs Brentford

The match will take place on Sunday, 7th October, 2023, at Old Trafford

Sloppy United Stumble Again At Home

Manchester United began this game slowly and without much energy. They let Crystal Palace have too much of the ball early on.

The Red Devils looked sluggish and passive, allowing Palace to find their footing. United failed to seize control of the contest right from kickoff.

Toothless In Attack

All game long, United struggled badly to create good chances to score. Their passing was too slow and predictable against Palace's organized defense.

Dangerman Marcus Rashford blew several chances by making poor decisions in the box. United's attack sorely lacked sharpness and chemistry.

Sloppy Defending Punished

United shot themselves in the foot with sloppy defending on Palace's goal. Eze's free-kick found an unmarked Joachim Andersen completely free in the box.

Nobody in a red shirt tracked Andersen's run or picked him up. The Danish defender finished smoothly past the goalkeeper. More absent defending cost United.

Second Half Changes Can't Spark Comeback

Manager Erik ten Hag tried to change things up, bringing on attackers like Anthony Martial and wonderkid Alejandro Garnacho.

But United continued to lack ideas and precision in the final third. Only the lively Garnacho threatened with his pace and dribbling. The subs couldn't save United's toothless attack.

Dismal Home Form Continues

This loss means United have now dropped points in 3 of their 4 home games this season. Their only win at Old Trafford came against Liverpool.

For some reason, United look nervous and uneasy when playing in front of their own fans. Their home woes are a worrying trend in Ten Hag's first season.

No Excuses From Ten Hag

After the match, manager Ten Hag said "there are no excuses" for United's poor performance. He was disappointed in their lack of energy and commitment.

Ten Hag knows United must start stringing wins together quickly if they want to meet expectations. But right now, this team lacks consistency game to game.

Ten Hag's honest man management and meticulous attention to detail have helped revive key players like Rashford, Fernandes, and Shaw, coaxing them back towards their best form.

United Needs To Steady the Ship

There is a renewed sense of belief and positivity flowing through a gifted squad brimming with individual brilliance, that was looking fractured and underwhelming earlier this term.

Toothless Bees Can't Sting Shorthanded Forest

Brentford began this game looking flat and out of sorts. They struggled to find any rhythm on the ball early on against Forest's energetic defending.

The Bees seemed to lack sharpness and intensity in the opening stages. They couldn't put many passes together or create any dangerous chances. A slow start for Brentford.

Scoring Chances Hard To Come By

All game long, Brentford labored to manufacture clear openings in the final third. Forest kept them largely confined to low-percentage shots from a distance.

Brentford clearly missed having the creativity they are known for. They lacked the imagination to unlock the Forest defense consistently.

Set Piece Provides Breakthrough

With the game meandering along goalless, Brentford finally broke through from a set piece. Mathias Jensen delivered a perfect cross onto Christian Norgaard's head.

It was a clinical finish from Norgaard. But Brentford needed a moment of deadball quality to finally find a way past stubborn Forest.

Questionable Penalty Shout Denied

Brentford had loud penalty appeals waved away when Yoane Wissa was challenged by the goalkeeper in the box. Replays showed definite contact.

But despite Brentford's protests, neither the referee nor VAR saw enough evidence to point to the spot. A controversial no-call that incensed Brentford's players and staff.

Tough Day for Misfiring Forwards

Ivan Toney and Bryan Mbeumo both struggled to make an impact upfront for Brentford. The forwards couldn't get on the ball in dangerous areas.

With the midfield unable to feed them, Toney and Mbeumo were isolated and ineffective. Brentford's attack sputtered and stalled all game.

Draw Felt Like Points Dropped

In the end, Brentford was left during a missed opportunity to get three valuable points against 10-man Forest.

The 1-1 draw felt like points dropped rather than gained for Brentford. Their lackluster performance against shorthanded opposition was disappointing.

Predicted Lineups

Brentford Predicted lineup: Mark Flekken, Aaron Hickey, N. Collins, E. Pinnock, K. Ajer, M. Jensen, C. Norgaard, V. Janelt, K. Lewis-Potter, Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa.

Manchester United Predicted lineup: Andre Onana, S. Amrabat, R. Varane, V. Lindelof, Diogo Dalot, Mason Mount, Casemiro, M. Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, F. Pellistri, R. Hojlund.

Key Battles

Brentford needs striker Ivan Toney to rediscover his scoring touch up front if they want to reignite their offense. His holdup play will be crucial.

In midfield, Christian Eriksen faces his former club, taking on the man who replaced him in Mathias Jensen. Eriksen's vision against Jensen's work rate - an intriguing battle.

Conclusion

Both clubs desperately need a spark and three points. Expect an open, end-to-end contest as United and Brentford fight to kickstart their seasons at Old Trafford on Sunday.