On Saturday in the Premier League, Manchester United defeated Brentford by an astounding score of 2-1 at home.
The Red Devils had been down for the whole of the contest in yet another forgettable performance by Erik ten Hag’s team, but two goals from Scott McTominay in stoppage time miraculously gave United a vital three points.
Old Trafford’s proceedings got off to a slow start, with both teams’ best chances to score coming from two Aaron Hickey attempts from the edge of the box.
The first shot on goal of the game didn’t come until the 26th minute, but it did lead to the game’s first goal. When Casemiro lost control of the ball in the middle of the field, Yoane Wissa launched a counterattack for Brentford. Victor Lindelof was supposed to clear the attacker’s pass into the box, but his kick didn’t even leave the United box. Soon after, Mathias Jensen received the ball and fired a strong shot in the direction of goal. Andre Onana won’t want to see that one again since despite having a hand on the ball, the goalkeeper was helpless to stop it.
Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount both had efforts blocked while Marcus Rashford’s attempt in the 39th minute was well stopped by Brentford goalkeeper Thomas Trakosha. United was unable to provide much of a reaction. However, despite shots from Bryan Mbuemo, Wissa, and Christian Norgaard—none of which challenged Onana—the Bees won the half.
After coming in at halftime, Christian Eriksen had a strong shot blocked early in the second half, just before Marcus Rashford cut through and missed wide. As shots from Hojlund and then Diogo Dalot missed their intended targets in the second half, it became a trend.
As Brentford sat more in, Fernandes did test Strakosha from outside the area. In the 79th minute, after cutting inside from the left flank, both the Portugal international and Alejandro Garnacho curled an effort that was off-target.
In the second half, Brentford didn’t do much offensively, although Neal Maupay and then Norgaard forced Onana to make deft saves and tip the ball over the crossbar.
Nathan Collins accidentally deflected the ball towards his own goal as United neared the final minutes, giving them a chance to score the game-winning goal. However, Antony Martial was flagged offside during the buildup, and the goal was correctly disallowed.
Up until a spectacular comeback from the hosts in stoppage time, it appeared that United would have another discouraging day. Following excellent work from Garnacho down the left, McTominay, who was introduced in the 87th minute, controlled the ball inside the area before the Scotland international unleashed a potent shot beyond Strakosha.
That goal in the third minute of stoppage time appeared to have spared United’s face, but four minutes later, McTominay came up with another goal that changed the outcome. He nodded in after Harry Maguire had initially flicked the ball on at the front post.
The players for United are graded as follows.
1. Andre Onana- 4
Another game, another mistake from the goalkeeper. Onana should have done better with Jensen’s goal.
2. Diogo Dalot- 6
Got forward a lot and put in a number of crosses. Dalot didn’t have much to do defensively.
3. Harry Maguire- 6
Didn’t make many mistakes at the back, which will be a relief on the defender’s first league start of the season.
4. Jonny Evans- 6
Dropped deeper to cover for a lack of pace, and put in a solid enough performance.
5. Victor Lindelof- 5 (off 71)
Played on the left of a back four and didn’t look comfortable getting forward. Lindelof had a few awkward moments defensively, but was good in possession.
6. Sofyan Amrabat- 5 (off 87)
Sat as the deepest midfielder and did move the ball well, but his passes didn’t worry the Brentford backline.
7. Casemiro- 4 (off 46)
Another hugely disappointing display from the midfielder, who was sloppy in possession and was partly at fault for the Brentford goal. His withdrawal at half-time says a lot about the Brazilian’s form.
8. Mason Mount- 5 (off 63)
Other than a shot that was blocked midway through the first half, Mount offered little in midfield.
9. Bruno Fernandes- 5
Tried to find gaps to exploit in the Brentford defence, but couldn’t produce anything decisive. It was his free-kick that was flicked on by Maguire for the winner.
10. Rasmus Hojlund- 5
Showed good hold-up play and tried to bring others into play, but like most in red, he didn’t regularly threaten the opposition defence.
11. Marcus Rashford- 5 (off 63)
A typical Rashford performance at present. Fleeting moments of encouragement but not of any real quality in the final third.
12. Christian Eriksen- 6 (on 46)
Played some good passes into the wide areas and had a powerful effort saved early in the second half.
13. Alejandro Garnacho- 6 (on 63)
Played well and created openings with his dogged work rate down the left flank. He effectively set up McTominay’s opener.
14. Antony- 5 (on 63)
Tested the Brentford defence as he cut inside, but didn’t produce a game-changing moment.
15. Anthony Martial- 6 (on 71)
Took up some good positions and helped United stage an unlikely comeback.
16. Scott McTominay- 8 (on 87)
In truth, didn’t do much in possession, but he brought energy and passion, and his two goals proved decisive.