Manchester United are set to face Brentford on Saturday in a crucial Premier League clash at Old Trafford. With United struggling to find consistent form this season, all eyes will be on new signing Joshua Zirkzee, who has failed to hit his stride since joining the Red Devils.
The Dutch forward scored on his debut against Fulham in August, but he has struggled to replicate that success since.
Erik ten Hag, under increasing pressure, will be hoping Zirkzee can step up and help Manchester United secure a much-needed victory.
According to Jambobet, the leading sports prediction site, Manchester United are the favorites to win this weekend.
Interestingly, Zirkzee’s sporting influences come not from football but from the world of basketball. In a recent interview with Manchester United’s official media channels, Zirkzee shared how NBA legend Allen Iverson has had a significant impact on his life and approach to sports.
“I started watching basketball when I was around 15, 16 maybe, and it started because of, you know, Michael Jordan and the big ones,” Zirkzee said. “But the main reason why I really got into watching actual basketball and really got my interest was a documentary about Allen Iverson, and he was the first player that I really saw.”
Iverson’s gritty, determined playing style and his ability to remain true to himself left a lasting impression on the Dutch forward. “He’s probably the reason I got into basketball. America is a lot different. It’s just certain stuff that you can relate to. That really inspired me. Also, him making it and still being himself—that was cool to see.”
While Zirkzee looks up to Iverson as a source of inspiration, Manchester United fans will be hoping that the young striker can channel some of that same determination and passion into his football performances. With the team struggling in the Premier League, Zirkzee could play a key role in their bid to climb the table.
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Manchester United’s Struggles and the Need for a Win
Manchester United’s form in the Premier League has been disappointing, to say the least. They have lost their last two home league games, a worrying trend for a club with such high expectations. This weekend’s match against Brentford is crucial, with United needing to bounce back and show that they are still capable of competing at the top level.
Despite their struggles, United have had some positive stats this season. According to the latest numbers, they have the worst difference between goals scored (5) and expected goals (xG) (11.1) in the Premier League.
This suggests that they should have netted around six more goals than they have. However, they also boast the best difference between goals conceded (8) and expected goals against (xGA) (11.5), meaning they’ve conceded 3-4 fewer goals than expected.
While their defensive record shows some promise, it’s the lack of goals that has been a major issue for United in the league. They average just 0.7 goals per game in the Premier League this season (five goals in seven games), compared to a far more impressive three goals per game across all other competitions (12 goals in four games). This discrepancy between league and cup performances highlights the inconsistency that has plagued Ten Hag’s side.
As Manchester United prepare for the Brentford match, certain players will need to step up and deliver. One player who has been in fine form recently is Christian Eriksen. The former Brentford midfielder has been involved in six goals in his last five games across all competitions (three goals, three assists). Only Alejandro Garnacho, with seven goal involvements, has contributed more to United’s attack this season.
For Brentford, Bryan Mbeumo is the man to watch. The forward has been in sensational form, scoring six goals in his seven Premier League appearances this season. Mbeumo has netted in each of his last three appearances, and his next goal or assist will make him the first Brentford player to record 50 goal involvements in the Premier League (28 goals, 21 assists).
Match Prediction and Jambobet’s Odds
Manchester United will be desperate to turn their fortunes around, and the statistics are in their favor. Brentford have lost all three of their Premier League away matches so far this season. In fact, they haven’t started a league campaign with four straight away losses since the 1961-62 season when they lost their first nine away games in the third tier.
Historically, Brentford have struggled against Manchester United at Old Trafford. The Bees have only won one of their last 10 matches against United, drawing two and losing seven. United have dominated their recent home fixtures against Brentford, winning each of their last five league games at Old Trafford by an aggregate score of 13-2. Brentford’s last victory at Old Trafford came back in February 1937.
Given these statistics, Manchester United are strong favorites to win this match, and Jambobet gives them a 54.3% chance of victory. Brentford have a 23.6% chance of pulling off a surprise, while the probability of a draw is 22.2%.
