Michael Carrick believes Bruno Fernandes is revelling in being able to play with freedom at Manchester United.
United have enjoyed a major uptick in form since Carrick replaced Ruben Amorim in January, jumping up to third in the Premier League, with Fernandes a key player in that.
With five games remaining, Fernandes is seemingly on course to break the Premier League single-season assist record, sitting two behind Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne on the list (20).
He has provided 10 of those since Carrick's first game in charge, and the interim head coach says he is not surprised by the United captain's impact.
"I think giving Bruno the platform to go and perform [has helped him]," Carrick said.
"I think we're trying to create the structure and a team set-up, to try to bring out the best of everyone within that. But I like seeing Bruno in attacking positions with a little bit of freedom.
"He obviously plays for the team, and he has a big responsibility within that, and I thought he did that ever so well on Saturday [against Chelsea], without the ball, and the defensive work that he did.
"I've known Bruno a long time and worked with him when he was here, when he came to the club, so again, it hasn't surprised me. I knew exactly what he could bring."
— Manchester United (@ManUtd" >@ManUtd) April 26, 2026
Brentford will also be continuing their European push.
They have drawn their last five matches, but sit ninth in the table, and a win on Monday would see them leapfrog Brighton into sixth.
Brentford have not won at Old Trafford since their return to the Premier League, but Keith Andrews is prepared to attack the challenge and change their fortunes.
"It is a special place to play football, for sure, and a special place to go, with the history of the stadium and the football club," he said.
"I think it is just in that bracket of clubs where you want to go and really test yourself as a player. It is a really, really tough test for us.
"I just think it is a game for us that we should attack. We should embrace the challenge of it, and it has been a while since we have been able to do that."
PLAYERS TO WATCH
Manchester United – Bruno Fernandes
Fernandes has 18 Premier League assists this season, with only three players ever creating more goals in a single season: Henry in 2002-03 for Arsenal (20), De Bruyne in 2019-20 for Man City (20), and Mesut Ozil in 2015-16 for Arsenal (19).
He has also created a league-high 109 chances in the competition this season, at least 48 more than any other player (Dominik Szoboszlai and Declan Rice joint-second with 61).
Brentford – Caoimhin Kelleher
Caoimhin Kelleher has kept nine Premier League clean sheets for Brentford this season.
The last Republic of Ireland goalkeeper to hit double figures for clean sheets in a season was Shay Given in 2009-10 for Manchester City (10).
Caoimhín and Hákon pic.twitter.com/LYhuMIfzfE
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC" >@BrentfordFC) April 26, 2026
MATCH PREDICTION: MANCHESTER UNITED WIN
United have lost their last two league games against Brentford, more than they had in their previous 11 (W8 D2 L1).
And Brentford are looking to complete the league double over United for just the second time, previously doing so in the 1936-37 top-flight campaign that saw the Red Devils relegated.
However, United are backed to triumph at Old Trafford, having lost just two of their last 16 Premier League matches (W9 D5).
Brentford have drawn their last five Premier League matches. The last team to have a longer run of draws in the division were Manchester City in October/November 2009 (seven).
United lost 2-1 to Leeds United in their last home Premier League match, but they have not suffered consecutive home league defeats since May 2025.
OPTA WIN PROBABILITY
Manchester United – 51.5%
Draw – 24.7%
Brentford – 23.8%