Athletic: ‘Positive news’ on ‘instrumental’ United man – but Ten Hag must navigate four-man absentee list

Manchester United return to Premier League action this Saturday afternoon in hopes of claiming their first win in five matches.

On paper, you’d expect that the 20-time champions would be able to overturn the likes of Brentford relatively comfortably, especially given that they boast a home advantage for the clash. Yet, such luxuries are never guaranteed in this day and age at Old Trafford.

The Reds enter matchweek eight in 14th place, having tallied their lowest-ever points record at this stage of a season (eight) since the Premier League was formed. Brentford, on the other hand, sit 11th, two points above United after winning one more match. 

Remarkably, Thomas Frank’s side have scored eight more goals, with Southampton the only club to have netted fewer times than United upon their return to the top flight this term.

United’s team news for Saturday’s PL clash

In terms of the personnel the under-fire Erik ten Hag will have available, he will be navigating the affair with a four-man absentee list to work around, per The Athletic. Harry Maguire limped off at Villa Park after 45 minutes prior to the international break, subsequently confirming on Instagram that he’d be sidelined for ‘a few weeks’.

His defensive counterpart, Noussair Mazraoui, underwent successful corrective surgery after experiencing heart palpitations last week. Understandably, the club are hesitant to put an exact timeframe on his return, though the expectation is that he’ll be available for selection in the near future.

Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia remain out of action with long-term injuries. It’s thought that the former could make his first outing of the campaign after the mid-November break, but fans won’t be holding their breath when it comes to counting on him being fit. 

The lack of natural left-backs has prompted Ten Hag to adopt a new tactical change for the game, as he is reportedly considering deploying veteran Jonny Evans, 36, on the left-hand side of defence.

On a brighter note, Laurie Whitwell provided ‘positive news’ on Mason Mount, whose ‘instrumental’ pressing has been sorely missed since he suffered another setback. The former Chelsea man is expected to resume first-team training with the squad imminently, though it remains to be seen if the Bees encounter will come too soon for him to feature.