Man Utd v Brentford: Erik ten Hag recalls defenders as Raphael Varane missing

Erik ten Hag has handed starts to Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans for Manchester United's Premier League encounter against Brentford on Saturday.

Raphael Varane is not in the matchday squad, with Victor Lindelof also named in the starting XI, presumably at right-back, and Diogo Dalot on the opposite flank. For Maguire, it's the defender's first league start of the campaign and just his second in all competitions. Evans has started just one match so far this season, the away win at Burnley.

Varane's absence adds to the ever-growing list of defender who are unavailable for Saturday's match, along with Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and Sergio Reguilon, who are all out through injury. It means United have been unabale to name a defender on the bench for Saturday's game.

With Dalot expected to play at left-back, it means Sofyan Amrabat can start in midfield, a position he has not played in since joining the Red Devils on deadline day. The Moroccan starts along with Casemiro and Mason Mount. In the attacking areas, it's Bruno Fernandes , Rasmus Hojlund and Marcus Rashford, with Antony named on the bench.

For Brentford, the biggest change is in goal, with Thomas Strakosha coming in for his debut. Regular goalkeeper Mark Flekken not in the matchday squad.

Teams in full

United starting XI: Onana; Lindelof, Maguire, Evans, Dalot; Casemiro, Amrabat, Mount; Fernandes, Hojlund, Rashford.

United substitutes: Bayindir, McTominay, Eriksen, Van de Beek, Hannibal, Antony, Pellistri, Martial.

Brentford starting XI: Strakosha; Collins, Pinnock, Ajer; Roerslev, Jensen, Norgaard, Janelt, Hickey; Mbuemo, Wissa.

Brentford substitutes: Balcombe, Jorgensen, Onyeka, Ghoddos, Yarmoliuk, Jim, Olakigbe, Brierley, Maupay.