The Man United squad that played Brentford consisted of
Lisandro Martinez of Manchester United (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
According to Erik ten Hag, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, and Harry Maguire were not fully trained for Manchester United’s match against Brentford, therefore they were unable to start the match.
Ten Hag started an identical lineup for United’s FA Cup match against Brentford as he did two weeks prior, with the three seasoned players sitting on the sidelines despite having recovered from injuries last week. United defeated Liverpool 4-3. Despite missing a few training sessions earlier in the week due to illness, Kobbie Mainoo was cleared to begin.
Before the match, Ten Hag told MUTV that Martinez, Casemiro, and Maguire needed to improve their rhythm before they could start for United.
“They are back from injuries, but they haven’t quite found their rhythm again. They need to catch up in training and in games. However, we have players in the midfield and at the back as options. A tad on the thin side, in my opinion.
He went on to say of Mainoo: “He’s performed incredibly well for England, but it’s his first time returning to club football. Although he’s a great player and adds something extra, the team comes first.”
United is making its first trip to the Gtech Community Stadium since August 2022, when they suffered a terrifying 4-0 loss in Ten Hag’s second game in charge.
Despite not having played in two weeks following that Liverpool victory because of the March international break, they enter the game in respectable form.
