Premier League team branded ‘far more difficult’ than Manchester United | Football

Grimsby Town boss David Artell believes Brentford might be ‘far more difficult’ opponents than Manchester United.

League Two side Grimsby face Brentford on Tuesday night for a spot within the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

The Mariners have enjoyed an outstanding run within the EFL Cup, stunning Premier League giants Manchester United within the second round before beating Championship side Sheffield Wednesday last trip.

Grimsby opened up a 2-0 lead over United inside half-hour back in August but two lates goals from the visitors sent the tie to penalties.

After a tense and lengthy shootout, Grimsby emerged triumphant with a 12-11 win to seal considered one of the most important upsets in English football history.

Artell’s side might be dreaming of one other upset against Brentford however the 44-year-old boss expects a ‘tougher’ challenge from Keith Andrews’ Bees.

Brentford were tipped by many to go down earlier within the season following the departure of manager Thomas Frank and several other key players – including Bryan Mbeumo who joined Manchester United.

However the west Londoners have won three of their last 4 games to climb to eleventh – eight points outside the relegation places – and stunned defending Premier League champions Liverpool on Saturday.

Grimsby boss Artell insists Brentford are ‘fully in’ in comparison with United who he says are still ‘finding their way’ under Ruben Amorim.

Amorim was left fighting for his job after the embarrassing defeat to Grimsby but three successive wins has taken United to sixth and drastically improved the mood at Old Trafford.

‘I don’t want a great deal of letters from Manchester United fans from Kenya or Norway – or Stretford – but I feel they’re still in that strategy of finding their way again,’ Artell said.

‘Brentford are fully in, fully understanding. That makes it so far more difficult.

‘I feel everyone agrees that Man United are still – perhaps not in transition per se – but finding their way under a brand new manager that should be given time.

‘I feel you possibly can see the fruits of the green shoots of progress from their side, but Brentford will not be that team. Brentford are a well-established team.

‘They’ve appointed from inside to proceed the work that the previous manager [Thomas Frank] did, and I feel everyone would suggest that Keith Andrews is doing an excellent job and he’s taking them on.

‘You don’t beat West Ham so comprehensively, you don’t beat the reigning [Premier League] champions [Liverpool] for those who haven’t got those principles of play already ingrained.

‘Whether it’s set pieces, whether it’s transitions, whether it’s in possession, whether or not they come and get you out of possession, all that’s already very well implemented into the squad.

‘I’m unsure that was the case with Manchester United.’

On Grimsby’s game-plan against Brentford, Artell added: ‘We’re not playing for penalties. We didn’t do this against United. We went and got them and so they didn’t expect it.’

Brentford are considered one of 11 Premier League clubs still within the Carabao Cup together with Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester City, Fulham, Tottenham, Newcastle, Brighton, Crystal Palace and Wolves.

Newcastle are the Carabao Cup holders after Eddie Howe’s side beat Liverpool in last 12 months’s final at Wembley.

For more stories like this, check our sport page.

Follow Metro Sport for the newest news on
Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

MORE: ‘He’s struggling’ – Paul Scholes voices concerns over Liverpool summer signing

MORE: Rio Ferdinand hits out at Jamie Carragher for ‘disrespecting’ £70m Man Utd star

MORE: Premier League to carry only one Boxing Day fixture in major break from tradition