Under the lights...show
Light shows seem to be such a big thing in modern football.
Brentford have got theirs underway, which means the teams will be out very soon.
But, for now, I am going to enjoy the spectacle!
Predictions?
We are closing in on kick-off.
So, you know what time it is, we want to hear your predictions.
I'm going to go 3-1 to Manchester United, they will have taken so much confidence from that win over Liverpool.
Comment down below your thoughts!
Yarmoliuk gets his chance
Yehor Yarmoliuk gets his shot in the centre of midfield.
The Ukranian has found opportunities hard to come by, but tonight he has the chance to put a marker down.
He will be up against it, facing a strong United midfield. Let's see what he can do.
Thomas Frank: 'I think their front four are very very good'
Thomas Frank, Brentford manager, speaking to Sky Sports:
Hojlund back in PL action
Man United will be happy to have this man back.
Rasmus Hojlund was on an absolute tear before injury stopped him in his tracks, but after 3 Premier League games out, he starts again.
Can he get back to the form he was before?
Manchester United's forgotten man
Remember when Mason Mount was lighting up the Premier League with Chelsea?
Well, it feels like a very long time ago now.
Mount has only appeared in a United shirt 13 times since his arrival in the Summer and is yet to score for the club.
When he signed for the Red Devils I was sure he was going to be a success, but so far it has not gone too well.
There is still time for that to change though. Mount is on the bench tonight and will be looking to make an impact if called upon.
When on form, Mount is a brilliant player to have on your team.
More McTominay magic?
United fans will know what this post is just by the headline... and so will Brentford.
Back in October, Manchester United somehow found a way to beat Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford. It was all because of one man.
With 92 minutes on the clock, Brentford were one goal to the good and looked like securing a massive win at the 'Theatre of Dreams'. Up step Scott McTominay.
The Scottish international netted in both the 93rd and the 97th minute to turn the tide spectacularly. It was a repeat of United's 99' heroics against Bayern.
They won't want to leave that late today - I think that would break Brentford if it did.
United's regular joy over Brentford
Manchester United's humbling at the hands of Brentford last season has been well documented.
However, if you look at their history against the Bees, they boast a rather strong record.
United have won eight out of their last 10 meetings with Brentford, not a bad record.
How many minutes for Mbuemo?
Bryan Mbuemo made his long-awaited return from injury before the international break against Brentford.
Bees fans would have wanted to see him start today, but he is named among the substitutes once again.
It will be interesting to see how long he gets today. He has the ability to cause United real problems.
Mbuemo can be electrifying at times.
'Any repeat of the 4-0 hammering would be catastrophic'
Chris Wheeler, Mail Sport, at the GTech Community Stadium:
Brentford Starting XI - Mbuemo remains on bench
Thomas Frank makes two changes to the side that lost 2-1 away at Burnley.
Bryan Mbuemo makes the bench again, I wonder how many minutes he will get today?
Man United Team News - Mainoo STARTS
There we go then.
The big news is that Kobbie Mainoo is fit to start despite missing training due to illness.
There are more returns to the squad too, as Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, and Harry Maguire all make the bench.
United fans, are you happy?
Team news minutes away
The anticipation is killing me!
We are just moments away from finding out the line-ups. Will Mainoo be fit to start? How will Thomas Frank set up?
Those questions will be answered very soon.
Mainoo on team bus!
Well, just as I say that, Chris Wheeler, Mail Sport, has some details for us.
Kobbie Mainoo is in the building alongside both Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez.
Will they be fit though? We will find out very soon!
Mainoo the maestro a DOUBT
From one international debutant to the other, but this one may not be fit to play today.
Kobbie Mainoo bagged his first two caps for England during the international break, and all I can say is wow.
Well, that's not all I am going to say because I want to eulogise about him so more.
Mainoo was simply brilliant for England and has potentially now nailed down a spot at Euro 2024 at just 18 years of age.
However, will he be back in club colours today?
Mainoo has been out of training due to illness and we await to see if he will be fit enough to make the trip to west London.
If he misses out it will be a huge blow for United.
Toney to bring international form to club level?
Ivan Toney has had a good couple of weeks if you ask me.
He netted his first goal for England in his first start and is now looking likely to be on the plane to the Euros.
Can he bring that confidence back to Brentford?
At club level of late, he has struggled a little bit. He has not found the back of the net in his last five Premier League matches.
Before that, he bagged four in five. He needs to refind that form.
Today he has the perfect opportunity to do that.
Villa lead Wolves at Villa Park
While we await the players to arrive here in West London, there is a game ongoing in Birmingham.
I love a derby, and so do Aston Villa it seems as they lead Wolves 1-0 at Villa Park.
Moussa Diaby's goal was sensational by the way, you could watch it over and over again.
The second half has just gotten underway, so why not go check it out?
The scene is set
The GTech Community stadium is ready.
The sun may be going down now, but it was very lovely today in London. I've quite enjoyed the weather recently!
As the sky descends into darkness though, both sets of players will begin to trickle into the stadium.
It's set to be a cracker.
Blast from the past: Brentford 4-0 Man United
Man United fans, you may want to look away from this post.
The last time the Red Devils visited Brentford, it was not such a happy time for them - they have probably blocked it from their memory.
Brentford wept United aside with relative ease in August 2023, shipping four goals past them in the first half.
It was Erik ten Hag's second league match in charge, it wasn't the best of starts.
However, they did beat Liverpool in their next game and went on a strong run of form.
Surely we won't see another result like this today.
Brentford's torrid run of form
Not many people would have predicted Brentford would be in the predicament that they are currently in.
The Bees have taken just 10 points from their last 18 matches and sit just four points above the drop zone.
their loss to Burnley before the international break was perhaps their worst of the season.
Thomas Frank has to find a way to turn it around, but today they have a tough task ahead of them.
United to build on LFC triumph?
Manchester United fans will still be beaming from seeing the sight of Amad Diallo wheeling away in celebration.
The 4-3 win over Liverpool in the FA Cup will live long in the memory of United fans, but tonight their team has a job to do.
Before the start of the day, United were nine points off the Champions League spots, so their chances of making a late push for them are slim.
Nevertheless, a win over Brentford today would be just what they need to build on their recent momentum.
Thomas Frank will not want that to happen though.
Welcome!
Hello, hello, hello!
I'm looking forward to this one tonight. Can Manchester United build on their magnificent win over Liverpool in the FA Cup, or will Brentford stop them in their tracks?
They have a tough act to follow, today's games so far have been spectacular, and goals flew in all over the place.
So, will there be more coming our way? I hope so, I love a goal-fest!
Let's get cracking then.
Key Updates
Brentford Starting XI - Mbuemo remains on bench
Man United Team News - Mainoo STARTS