A couple of decent bits of early play from the hosts. It looks as though Kobbie Mainoo is actually going to be the furthest midfielder forward for Manchester United, with Bruno Fernandes playing slightly deeper.

Brentford, five places and seven points above Tottenham, have started brighter for sure.

Spurs look a bit panicky at the back and Mikkel Damsgaard can't take full advantage, with his shot blocked.

Manchester United lost at home and away to Crystal Palace last term and failed to score in either match.

The meeting between the teams earlier this season was goalless. The hosts last went four league games without a goal against an opponent between 1981 and 1983 (vs Arsenal).

Brentford's Hakon Valdimarsson is the first Icelandic goalkeeper to start a Premier League match.

The 23-year-old, a 2024 signing from Elfsborg - who Spurs played the other day - gets an early feel of the ball and finds a team-mate.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter at Old Trafford

Flowers of Manchester has just been played across the stadium in memory of the players who died in 1958, with fans chanting 'We'll Never Die' when it finished.

Much is made of Manchester United's current strife, despite its huge commercial reach. Many also point to the global fanbase and lament how the club led the way in its expansion into a worldwide brand.

But it was the tragedy of Matt Busby and his players that drew so many people to United in the first place.

The Babes captivated attention and so many latched onto the story of Busby's rebuild, which culminated in the European Cup success with survivors Bobby Charlton and Bill Foulkes in 1968.

The two bottom-half fixtures are under way.

Almost ready to go at both venues.

Nedum Onuoha
Former Manchester City defender on BBC 5 Live

On Thomas Frank calling Mikkel Damsgaard Brentford's 'best player'.

The ones that get the headlines the most tend to be Bryan Mbuemo and Yoane Wissa, to be honest, with the goals that they score. But I think for your manager to come out and say that sort of thing, for the players they probably know that as well, they probably know how important he is in terms of how they play, how they attack.

It's huge praise and he doesn't get a ton of coverage but it makes a difference. That's probably why he's starting every single week basically, and why the manager loves him so much.

Not every player that is the most important for the team is spoken about enough.

Image source, Getty Images

Julien Laurens
European football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

The season started slowly for Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Getting that silver medal at the Olympics meant a lot to him, especially off the back of the Premier League last season where he was outstanding.

Old school striker, shirt tucked in and the way he plays - I love him. He's a wonderful character to have in the Premier League.

Image source, Getty Images

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Micky van de Ven's absence from Tottenham's starting line up sparked fears of another injury but Ange Postecoglou has explained that he is being rested.

Even still, it is a reminder that the Netherlands international is currently unreliable and struggling to realise his former glory after a spate of hamstring injuries.

Spurs have signed Kevin Danso from Lens but they expected to sign at least one player on deadline day - with Radu Dragusin potentially out for the season - they may sign another defender.

Postecoglou also wants an forward but as Spurs are linked with moves for Axel Disasi and Fikayo Tomori - it is quieter on the attacking front.

Since Ruben Amorim’s first Premier League game in charge of Manchester United on 24 November, only Manchester City (5,733) have completed more passes in the Premier League.

But here is the kicker...of those passes 3,168 have been in their own half which is 541 more than any other side.

Only Ipswich (59.7%) have completed a higher ratio of their passes in their own half of the pitch than United (59.3%) since Amorim took over but the Tractor Boys (who also struggle for goals) are in 19th fighting to stay in the division.

It will be interesting to see just how this false nine business works out. It's one thing doing it in an FA Cup final against a team expected to have more possession and another entirely, when you are the home side and expected to dominate and attack at every opportunity.

Michael Emons
BBC Sport at the Gtech Community Stadium

Right-back Michael Kayode will make his Brentford debut today if he comes on later on after his loan move from Fiorentina.

Kayode, 20, has played for Italy at under-21s level, is among the substitutes and boss Thomas Frank thinks he will be a good signing for the Bees.

Writing in the matchday programme, Frank said: "We've added some exciting talent in Michael Kayode. I'm very happy we've managed to bring him in to give us more depth in the full-back positions.

"He's a fantastic physical package, very strong defensively and has great ability going forward. I'm looking forward to seeing him develop and contribute to the squad."

On the threat posed by Tottenham, Frank added: "Ange has shaped Tottenham into a team that's brave, aggressive and exciting to watch. Their high press and quick transitions are clear strengths and it's up to us to minimise those and impose ourselves.

"We've shown time and again we can compete with the best, especially here at the Gtech."

Image source, PA Media

Manchester United have just paraded new signings Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven on the pitch.

Denmark international Dorgu has joined from Leece in a deal worth £25m (30m euros), with a potential £4.1m (5m euros) in add-ons, while England Under-19s defender Heaven has arrived for an undisclosed fee from from Arsenal on a four-and-a-half-year contract.

Dorgu was holding up a number 13 shirt.

Not sure I'd have picked that number myself but Lee Grant, Anders Lindegaard, Park Ji-sung, Roy Carroll, Mark Bosnich, John Curtis and Tony Coton are among the former players to have worn that number for United.

Heaven appears to have taken the number 26 shirt.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter at Old Trafford

Full-back Tyrrell Malacia is absent from the Manchester United squad today.

The Dutchman had been due to join Portuguese giants Benfica on loan, which presumably meant he was not involved in the preparations for this game.

It does seem that deal has stalled, with United refusing to take a hit on wages in dealing with a club still involved in this season's Champions League.

With Patrick Dorgu coming in, Luke Shaw on the brink of a return from injury and Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, Malacia doesn't fit in, so it will be interesting to see if Benfica come back or another deal can be done.

Julien Laurens
European football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

Mikkel Damsgaard was so good at the 2021 Euros.

Then injuries, bad form, and it's only now we are seeing the real Damsgaard.

He runs forever and he will have the freedom to be anywhere - he will link the play.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport's chief football news reporter at Old Trafford

It has been a busy few days at Manchester United.

Teenage defender Ayden Heaven has joined from Arsenal and Patrick Dorgu has completed his move from Italian club Lecce.

Both will be introduced to the crowd before the game.

Phil Jagielka
Former England defender on BBC Radio 5 Live

Palace's team are a settled team - you know what you're going to get.

Despite losing to Brentford last week they will come here full of confidence.

Man Utd are changing the team and they don't have a striker today and even without Eberechi Eze this is a real opportunity for Palace.

Image source, Getty Images

Julien Laurens
European football expert on BBC Radio 5 Live

I don't understand Manchester United's team selection.

I am a bit disappointed as I thought by now United would play better. FCSB were not a good team, United beat a poor team.

Friday you don't train, Saturday you don't train so Amorim is going to play a new number nine with someone who has had zero time to get used to it.

Image source, Getty Images