19 October 2024
Man Utd 2 Brentford 1
Erik ten Hag is constantly breaking records at Old Trafford. Their return of eight points from seven games was the club’s worst-ever start to a Premier League season. Levels. They welcomed Brentford to Manchester, who had an equally terrible record at the ground as the Dutchman. The football purist could be forgiven for thinking that this game was never going to set the world alight.
As the Man Utd manager walks out onto the pitch, applauding the fans, it gives the air of a slave walking into the colosseum to take on Rome’s finest gladiator. If this were the case, the hierarchy sat up in their ivory tower eating cucumber sandwiches, would have given him the thumbs down a long time ago. You half expect the stadium announcer to say ‘dead man walking, walking the green line’ on the PR system.
There are many who say the Red Devils should be near the top of the table with the quality in their squad, that is somewhat blinkered. The league doesn’t lie, as they say. When they go up against top class opposition, they are shown for what they are, not good enough. The Bees created the first chance of the game when Janelt put a cross into the box and Schade should have converted.
Instead, he completely missed the ball from two yards out. Proving that he certainly is no ‘smooth operator’. It was a let-off for the hosts. Thomas Frank’s side have made a bit of a name for themselves lately for scoring early goals and should have had another here. The hosts defence was opened up all too easily once again.
Many said this game was an audition for the Brentford manager for the Old Trafford hotseat. That may be a role he does not want to get the part of. Many have tried and failed since the Ferguson era and the job has become somewhat of a poisoned chalice. Rashford forced Flekken into the first save of the day and the visitors struggled to clear the resulting corner. United’s crosses seemed more hopeful than pinpoint.
Brentford went down the other end and Mbuemo found Norgaard just outside the box. He hit a first-time shot but Onana did well to turn it around the post. Man Utd then countered from the resulting corner and Garnacho cut inside and shot. His effort took a deflection on the way through and Flekken did well to adjust and get a block to deny him.
Deep into added time Schade won Frank’s side a corner. Earlier in the game De Ligt suffered a cut as a result of a clash of heads. He was bandaged up but it did nothing to stem the flow of blood. The Dutchman had to come off the pitch another three times to get it treated. It was like the Man Utd medic was on work experience from primary school.
As the corner came in, United were down to ten men. Pinnock rose at the near post and headed home to open the scoring. On the touchline De Ligt and ten Hag were going crazy that the defender had been forced to leave the field. It all came across like a child throwing a tantrum. If they wanted to have a go at anyone it should be their medic who is unable to address treatment to cuts.
After the interval, the hosts came alive. A cross deep into the back post was met on the volley by Garnacho. He beat Flekken at his near post to draw Man Utd level. The Argentine caught it perfectly, surprising the Brentford keeper. Old Trafford erupted and the mood had changed from the boos ten Hag’s side had walked off to.
The Red Devils piled on the pressure with the visitors unable to get out of their own half. As the ball was played into Fernandes on the edge of the box, a sublime backheel flick sent it into the path of Hojlund. The Danish striker lifted it over Flekken and into the far corner to give the hosts the lead. This was more like what the home fans had been demanding from their team.
Brentford struggled to get into the game in the second half. Try as they might, they just could not create any clear-cut chances. Carvalho had a half-chance from the edge of the box but dragged his shot well wide of the target. Man Utd survived the scare after failing to clear their lines despite having plenty of opportunity to do so.
As the full-time whistle went, the players and manager celebrated like they had won the title. It underpins the situation at Old Trafford at the moment. Nobody should be pleased with a sketchy win at home against Brentford. Victory should be a given in such a game. Either way, ten Hag has dodged the firing squad for another week.
It is a strange situation as the Dutchman just seems to get results to keep his job when he needs to. Not that fans of their rival clubs will be complaining, his reign at the club is more popular with them than his own fans. Only time will tell whether he can finally get this misfiring side to perform. There is plenty of work to do at Old Trafford still, but this was a step in the right direction.
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