Early team news for Brentford clash

The Reds face Thomas Frank's Bees at Old Trafford in another 15:00 BST kick-off, keen to improve our Premier League position before another pause in domestic affairs.

Both sides are dealing with injury issues but Antony has returned to training and made a brief substitute appearance in the UEFA Champions League reverse to Galatasaray on Tuesday night, and is an option to provide some balance on the right flank.

Youngster Kobbie Mainoo is also closing on a comeback after suffering an injury in pre-season, while Casemiro's one-match suspension obviously relates to the Champions League, so he misses the home clash with FC Copenhagen later this month.

We await an update on Sergio Reguilon, who has not reappeared since being withdrawn in the win at Burnley. A return for the Spaniard could release Sofyan Amrabat from his stand-in role on the left-hand side of defence, but fellow full-backs Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Aaron Wan-Bissaka appear certain to be unavailable.

Lisandro Martinez has had an operation on his foot problem and faces a lengthy spell out, while Amad is also sidelined.

Jadon Sancho has been absent since the 3-2 victory against Nottingham Forest.

BRENTFORD'S TEAM NEWS

Top striker Ivan Toney is suspended until January, although he did score in his first taste of action this term, in a behind-closed-doors friendly for the club's B team, in midweek.

The south-west Londoners also look set to be without Rico Henry and Kevin Schade until some point in 2024.

The Bees' problems also extend to Joshua Dasilva, experienced centre-back Ben Mee, Mikkel Damsgaard and Shandon Baptiste.

Neal Maupay could feature after he, like Toney, played in the practice game against Italian side Como, while Kristoffer Ajer replacing Mads Roerslev was the only change to the team for the last Premier League outing, the 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest on Sunday.