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Manchester United travel to the Gtech Community Stadium to take on Brentford in the Premier League tomorrow afternoon.
The Red Devils will hope to get back to winning ways domestically after a morale boosting 3-0 away win against Athletic Club in the first leg of the semi-final of the Europa League.
United have played the Bees 20 times in history winning 11 and losing six encounters.
There have been three draws in these match ups. Here are three storylines to delve into before tomorrow’s match.
United’s good form against Brentford
The Red Devils have only lost one of their last 12 matches against Brentford.
This will be the eighth match against them since their promotion to the Premier League in 2021. That is as many times they have faced the West London side since between 1936 and that year.
United have won every Premier League encounter between the sides at Old Trafford but have found the Gtech Community stadium a harder nut to crack.
They drew 1-1 last season and were spanked 0-4 in August 2022 under Erik ten Hag. They will be hoping for a first win since beating the Bees 3-1 in January 2022.
Poor record in London
Whilst United have done well against Brentford lately, they have been very poor on their travels in London.
They did pull off an impressive win at the Emirates against Arsenal in the FA Cup in January but their league form in the capital has left a lot to be desired.
The BBC report that “the Reds have won three of their last 21 Premier League games in London.”
They have only drawn five and lost 13, as they have had very little answer to the likes of Chelsea, West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur.
In fact, all three victories have come against Fulham, including a 1-0 victory at Craven Cottage earlier this year.
A fixture characterised by late goals
United in general have struggled to score goals in the first half of Premier League games but this is exacerbated against Brentford.
“Ten of Manchester United’s 12 Premier League goals against the Bees have been scored in the second half, with three of the past five netted after the 90th minute.”
United needed two second half strikes from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund to beat Brentford at Old Trafford at the start of the season.
Last season, they also won 2-1 at home but required a dramatic brace by Scott McTominay after 90 minutes.
They also drew 1-1 last season away, with Mason Mount scoring after 96 minutes, only for the Red Devils to concede an even later equaliser.
Featured image Gareth Copley via Getty Images
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