Brentford 0-1 Man Utd

21. United’s likely Europa League final opponents – Tottenham – have also grabbed an early away lead this afternoon.

Spurs lead London rivals West Ham thanks to a goal from Wilson Odobert.

Brentford 0-1 Man Utd

19. The Kayode long throw is certainly being used as a weapon by the home side.

After Dean Huijsen’s goal at Arsenal yesterday, who can blame them?

Brentford 0-1 Man Utd

17. The Bees push forward looking for an immediate response.

They win another corner, and this time Bayindir isn’t nearly as convincing with his claim.

In fact, he completely misses the ball as he comes for it, and is fortunate that nobody in red can take advantage.

Brentford 0-1 Man Utd

14. Manchester United stun the Gtech with a goal from Mason Mount!

Mark Flekken doesn’t get enough distance on his clearance forward, and the visitors quickly regain possession.

Patrick Dorgu and Alejandra Garnacho work the left channel brilliantly to send the latter darting down the line.

An equally impressive cross on the run evades Nathan Collins, and is perfect for Mason Mount to turn past the Brentford goalkeeper.

What a start for United’s youngsters!

United lead!

Brentford 0-0 Man Utd

12. The camera focuses on Andre Onana in the stands.

“If he’s having the weekend off, give him the weekend off!” moans the co-commentator.

Brentford 0-0 Man Utd

10. A long throw from Michael Kayode leads to another Brentford corner, this one on the left.

United have been diabolical at defending set-pieces this season, but they do okay here with Bayindir off his line to punch clear.

Brentford 0-0 Man Utd

7. Chido Obi is looking lively and eager to give Nathan Collins a tough afternoon.

The young striker sets off at pace to chase down a long ball, and ends up flattening the Ireland defender in the process.

Brentford 0-0 Man Utd

5. Brentford almost score again!

The Bees work the corner short on the right, setting it to be whipped in from a better angle on the right.

United’s defence are static, and that’s invitation for Schade to slide in at the far post and power over the crossbar from 10 yards.

Brentford 0-0 Man Utd

3. Oh! Nearly a calamitous start from Manchester United.

Keane Lewis-Potter launches a long ball forward from left-back, looking for Kevin Schade.

This afternoon’s captain, Luke Shaw, comes across to deal with the danger, only to nod the ball beyond a stranded Altay Bayindir.

The ball looks to be rolling into the unguarded net, only to steer wide at the final moment.

A huge let off for the visitors following a huge breakdown in defensive communication.

Kick-off – Brentford v Man Utd

1. On Anthony Taylor’s whistle, this young United team get the action underway in West London.

The visitors are wearing their dark blue away shirts with shorts, Thomas Frank’s teams are in their classic red and white stripes.

Here come the teams!

It’s a big afternoon at the Gtech Community Stadium, where Europe is on everybody’s mind.

Manchester United – fans and players alike – are more concerned with the Europa League semi-final second leg on Thursday, and the final that almost certainly awaits later this month.

As for Brentford, after winning at Nottingham Forest on Monday, there is belief that the Bees can finish strongly and nab eighth spot, potentially bringing them a place in the Conference League should Crystal Palace lose the FA Cup final.

And they’ll fancy their chances today, given the children that the visitors have brought with them.

You can’t win anything with kids? Not even Brentford away? It’s time to find out if Alan Hansen was right all along.

Ruben rings the changes

It was almost universally agreed that Manchester United have one foot in the Europa League final after Thursday’s 3-0 win in Bilbao.

Yet Ruben Amorim was taking no chances, immediately stating on the night that one moment in the return can tie the course of the tie.

And so it’s no surprise that he has rested the bulk of his first time for today’s trip to Brentford.

The seven changes made by United from their last Premier League match it their most from one game to another this season.

‘Europa League is main focus’ – Garnacho

Alejandro Garnacho, 20, has amassed the experience that could be considered senior amongst this Man United line-up.

The winger was speaking about the state of play for his side in the final weeks of the season:

“We got a very good away result [against Athletic Club]. It is important for us to be in that final.

“The Premier League is also important, but it is a difficult moment,” Garnacho said to Sky.

“At this point, the Europa League semi-final and then the final is the main focus, but a club like #mufc you have to try win every game.”

Man United: History-making XI

Back to our feature game, where Man United’s heavily changed lineup has caused discussion and history.

The youngest in their Premier League history.

Around the grounds

We will also keep you updated on the other two Premier League games in action from 2pm: Brighton v Newcastle and West Ham v Tottenham.

Here’s how they line up:

Brighton XI: Verbruggen; Hinshelwood, Dunk, Van Hecke, Estupinan; Baleba, Wieffer, O’Riley; Adringa, Welbeck, Minteh

Subs: Steele, Lamptey, Igor Julio, Webster, Gruda, Gomez, Ayari, Veltman, Howell

Newcastle XI: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Tonali, Guimaraes, Willock; Murphy, Isak, Barnes

Subs: Dubravka, Botman, Wilson, Gordon, Krafth, Osula, Longstafff, Miley, Neave

West Ham XI: Areola; Wan-Bissaka, Todibo, Kilman, Cresswell, Emerson; Soucek, Paqueta, Kudus; Fullkrug, Bowen

Subs: Fabianski, Soler, Coufal, Ward-Prowse, Mavropanos, Guilherme, Ings, Rodriguez, Ferguson

Tottenham XI: Vicario; Gray, Danso, Davies, Spence; Sarr, Bissouma; Kulusevski, Richalison, Tel, Odobert

Subs: Kinsky, Pedro Porro, Udogie, Romero, Van de Ven, Bentancur, Ajayi, Moore, Johnson

Sunday sport

The sporting action does not stop on a Sunday.

Elsewhere, the World Snooker Championships final gets underway, as does Finals Day in Germany for darts:

Team news recap

Brentford have no new injury worries and our unchanged following their win against Nottingham Forest.

As for the visitors, Ruben Amorim names numerous young players for Manchester United, with Tyler Fredricson, Harry Amass and Chido Obi all getting the call-up with a first start for the latter.

Back-up goalkeeper Altay Bayındır also comes in for André Onana.

Ayden Heaven and Toby Collyer, as well as long-term absentees Lisandro Martinez, Joshua Zirkzee, and Diogo Dalot, will miss the rest of the season. Jonny Evans is also yet to return.

Brentford vs Man United line-ups 

Brentford XI: Flekken; Kayode, Collins, Van de Berg, Lewis-Potter; Norgaard; Damsgaard, Yarmolyuk; Mbeumo, Wissa, Schade

Subs: Valdimarsson, Henry, Pinnock, Jensen, Thiago, Mee, Ajer, Konak, Nunes.

Man United XI: Bayindir; De Ligt, Ferdricson, Shaw; Dorgu, Ugarte, Mainoo, Amass; Garnacho, Mount; Obi

Subs: Heaton, Lindelöf, Maguire, Yoro, B. Fernandes, Casemiro, Eriksen, Amad, Højlund.

Head2Head

This game is notorious for late goals. In the corresponding game last season, Mason Mount scored in second-half injury time, but Kristoffer Ajer responded in the ninth minute to save a point for the Bees.

In the first game earlier this season, Manchester United recovered from behind to earn all three points, one of the club’s only ten Premier League victories this season.

Brentford’s lone recent victory over the Red Devils came at home, 4-0, during the start of Erik ten Hag’s tenure.

Brentford 6-3-11 Manchester United

Clash down in the capital 

Afternoon and welcome as our main early afternoon feature sees Manchester United travel down south to face Brentford in the capital. 

It’s become cliche, but Brentford will really fancy their chances here. Apart from the obvious strengths at home, which ranks them as the 8th best host in the league so far, the Bees’ style combined with their opponents’ soul-searching attempt of one favours Thomas Frank’s men. 

Frank stated in the midweek that the possibility of selling Bryan Mbeumo is a realistic one, especially without the allure of European football. However, maybe the biggest appreciation for Brentford’s upward mobility in recent seasons is that many would be enticing pieces for United’s rebuild. Or maybe it’s just a sign of the times. 

After a morale-boosting, season-saving 3-0 win in Bilbao, United’s immediate focus will remain on the Europa League and the rewards that come with triumphing in the competition, with a state of paralysis in the league all but certain.

However, turning it on and off isn’t something common to component teams. Ask Ruben Amorim’s predecessor, who shone in the cups but underwhelmed in the meats and potatoes action – something Brentford have honed under Frank. 

Kick off from the Gtech Community Stadium at 2pm.