Manchester United are preparing for the visit of high-flying Brentford, who are looking to complete a historic double over the Reds after winning the first game between the two sides.
Thomas Frank’s men are in flying form going into the game, with United currently enduring their toughest run of form since Erik ten Hag took over last year.
United have failed to win any of their last three Premier League games and have also failed to find the net in any of those games – a run that is most recently equalled in February 2020.
And for that barren run to come to an end, the Reds will have to find a way past David Raya, who has been tipped to become the goalkeeper to replace David de Gea this summer.
De Gea is out of contract at United at the end of this campaign and although talks over fresh terms are believed to be taking place, there have been no indications of an imminent conclusion.
Last month, it was reported that Raya was on a two-man list of goalkeepers United were scouting in the event that De Gea’s 12-year-stay at the club would come to an end.
Raya has been one of the Premier League’s outstanding goalkeepers this season, having also displaced De Gea in the Spanish national team.
The 27-year-old has just one year remaining on the contract with the London club, meaning United could look to sign him on a cut-price deal. Alternatively, they could wait another year before approaching him as a free agent. Regardless, Raya’s performance at Old Trafford tonight could provide the perfect springboard to secure a move to United.
Brentford are known for having a solid backline but should United’s unwanted goalscoring run be extended tonight, it’s fair to assume that Raya will have been central in inflicting that on Ten Hag’s men.
Ten Hag may not be entirely sold on De Gea yet, despite his public defence of the 32-year-old, and a dazzling display from Raya could be the tipping point.
