Thursday afternoon's tactical session turned fully toward Brentford, their expected 3-5-2 filling the board — Strakosha or Flekken in goal depending on fitness, Ajer, Pinnock, and Collins across the back three, Roerslev and Hickey as wingbacks, Nørgaard, Janelt, and Jensen inside, Mbeumo and Wissa up front, with Ivan Toney still unavailable through suspension and Brentford carrying a handful of other knocks into the weekend.
The first clip showed Brentford defending deep, a simulated cross sailing toward the striker only for Pinnock to attack it first, Ajer mopping the second ball, Collins pushing the line back out immediately after.
"Højlund cannot spend ninety minutes fighting three center-backs while we keep throwing crosses at him," Ten Hag said.
Højlund frowned slightly at the weight the instruction placed on his own movement. "So where do you want me dragging their center-back to?"
