MANCHESTER United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted that his side have to be at their best tonight if they are to avoid Premier League defeat at home to Brentford, who will be without Super Eagles midfielder Frank Onyeka.
Ten Hag’s side have been in dodgy form lately, failing to score in their last three Premier League fixtures, including a 7-0 defeat at Liverpool and Sunday’s 2-0 loss at Newcastle United.
The Dutchman agrees that Newcastle used their 2-0 Carabao Cup final defeat to Manchester United as motivation on Sunday and hopes his team will also remember their 4-0 loss at Brentford in the reverse fixture.
“Of course, you can take something. Always I think you have to get the motivation out of yourself: you want to play your best football,” Ten Hag said during his pre-match press conference yesterday.
“But when you face Brentford, you have to play the absolute best football because it’s a really good team, well-structured and in every stage of the game they play brilliant football. When you don’t match the high standards, it’s a big problem.
“It’s a very good team. They really work well together as a team in every stage of the game. That’s a big credit to their team and their manager and coaching staff.”
United’s Old Trafford form has been impressive though, remaining unbeaten in the Premier League since their opening matchday defeat to Brighton.
Ten Hag believes the home crowd can once again cheer his team to victory as they seek to return to the UEFA Champions League places.
“Yes, as always. But that [a good start] is a demand we expect from the players, the team and Manchester United. It doesn’t matter if you play away or at home,” he noted.
“Of course, we like to play at Old Trafford, because we know it will be a great ambiance as long as we, as a team, give the energy.”
Meanwhile, Brentford manager Thomas Frank has confirmed that Nigeria international Onyeka will miss the trip to Old Trafford with a knock.
“Frank has a minor, minor injury,” he explained. “Vita[ly] had the knee problem but [it is] very good news. It was a minor injury against Southampton and he was on the grass which is positive.
“But it will probably be too early for Wednesday night. Frank will be out for Wednesday.”
