Manchester United placed on a sensational comeback as they secured a much-needed 2-1 win over Brentford.
The Crimson Devils have been gradual to start out and fell behind to Ethan Pinnock’s header late within the first half, however United made some tactical tweaks on the break and produced maybe their most interesting 45 minutes of soccer this season after the break.
Alejandro Garnacho equalised virtually instantly, earlier than Rasmus Hojlund chipped house a deserved winner.
How the sport unfolded
Brentford almost made their usually quick begin and will have simply discovered themselves 1-0 forward contained in the opening couple of minutes. Kevin Schade got here agonisingly near tapping house a fierce cross, however couldn’t discover the additional inches wanted to stretch and make contact.
Mikkel Damsgaard ought to have performed higher with a volley from the sting of the penalty space as Brentford tried to make their early dominance in possession depend.
In opposition to the run of play, Mark Flekken almost gifted United the opener. The Brentford stopper claimed a tame header however managed to drop the ball proper on the ft of Hojlund, needing to fling himself on the unfastened ball to cease it crossing the road.
Garnacho stung Flekken’s gloves halfway by the primary half as United grew into the sport, whereas down the opposite finish, Andre Onana needed to make a wonderful save to disclaim Christian Norgaard from vary.
United undoubtedly took management of proceedings because the clock ticked on, however with virtually the ultimate kick of the primary half, Brentford took the lead. Matthijs de Ligt needed to go away the sphere to handle a nasty head wound, and United’s ten males didn’t cease Pinnock from heading house from a nook deep in added time.
It took simply 90 seconds for United to tie issues up after the restart. Marcus Rashford’s glorious cross discovered Garnacho on the again submit, and the Argentina worldwide rifled house with actual class.
Flekken obtained down effectively to disclaim each Garnacho and Casemiro from vary quickly after, however United’s rising momentum couldn’t be stopped and Hojlund dinked a pleasant chip over Flekken shortly after the hour mark.
Diogo Dalot, of all folks, discovered himself performed by on aim however couldn’t discover a method past Flekken, nevertheless it mattered little as United retained management of proceedings all the best way as much as the ultimate whistle.
GK: Andre Onana – 6/10 – Did not have an entire lot to do apart from choose the ball out of his internet. Nice passing imaginative and prescient.
RB: Diogo Dalot – 7/10 – Defended his wing so effectively, however spoiled his first-half efficiency with a poor try to cease Pinnock from heading house the opener. Given extra attacking freedom after the break.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt – 7/10 – Took a critically sore bump on the top early on and needed to go away the sphere twice to handle his blood-soaked face. Good and composed in possession and got here out with an actual hearth beneath him after the break.
CB: Jonny Evans – 6/10 – Confirmed his expertise every so often however lacked the tempo to maintain up with Brentford’s speedy ahead line.
LB: Lisandro Martinez – 7/10 – A gritty, bodily efficiency to attempt to carry on prime of Bryan Mbeumo. Typically gained that particular person battle with some crunching challenges.
DM: Casemiro – 7/10 – Lacked the power to deal with Brentford’s energetic press within the first half however regarded way more helpful after the break when United established their management.
DM: Christian Eriksen – 7/10 – Stored it a bit too easy on the ball and provided little or no defensive safety however, like Casemiro, flashed his high quality when the tide turned.
RM: Marcus Rashford – 7/10 – Quiet on the precise aspect, with United focusing most of their efforts down the other wing. A beautiful ball for Garnacho’s equaliser which helped spark his efficiency to life after the break.
AM: Bruno Fernandes – 6/10 – Positively fell in need of expectations as soon as once more however credit score have to be given for a sensational flick to arrange Hojlund’s go-ahead aim.
LM: Alejandro Garnacho – 8/10 – The clear risk in United’s assault. Bought in behind on a lot of events and managed to attain maybe probably the most tough of all the probabilities afforded to him.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund – 7/10 – Put himself about effectively and obtained the aim his efficiency deserved after the break. A very nice end.
Substitutes
SUB: Joshua Zirkzee (74′ for Hojlund) – 6/10
SUB: Manuel Ugarte (88′ for Casemiro) – N/A
SUB: Victor Lindelof (88′ for Evans) – N/A
SUB: Noussair Mazraoui (90′ for Garnacho) – N/A
Subs not used: Altay Bayindir (GK), Jack Fletcher, Amad Diallo, Antony, Ethan Wheatley
Supervisor
Erik ten Hag – 8/10 – After an underwhelming first half, Ten Hag make the tactical modifications wanted to wrestle absolute management of this recreation. The second half was maybe one of the best 45 minutes of United’s season thus far.
GK: Mark Flekken – 6/10 – Almost gifted Hojlund an opener however made up for it effectively with a sequence of strong saves.
RB: Sepp van den Berg – 4/10 – Some actually nervy moments in possession and struggled up towards Garnacho. Misplaced his man for the equaliser.
CB: Nathan Collins – 6/10 – Stored a detailed eye on United’s forwards and ensured there was no area round him.
CB: Ethan Pinnock – 7/10 – A full of life defensive efficiency capped off with an important aim shortly earlier than the interval.
LB: Kristoffer Ajer – 6/10 – Stable and unspectacular. Did not actually need to do a lot to maintain maintain of Rashford.
RM: Mikkel Damsgaard – 7/10 – Buzzed round with infectious power and brought on all types of issues for United’s again line within the first half. An amazing nook for Pinnock’s opener.
CM: Vitaly Janelt – 6/10 – Pressed with objective within the first half however misplaced management of proceedings after the restart.
CM: Christian Norgaard – 6/10 – Unlucky to not rating with a wonderful strike halfway by the primary half.
LM: Keane Lewis-Potter – 5/10 – Not at all times concerned in proceedings however tended to supply some very nice touches when he did get the prospect to impress. Light after the break earlier than being hooked.
ST: Bryan Mbeumo – 5/10 – Introduced critical power to the ahead line, even when area wasn’t at all times simple to return by. Somewhat too remoted at occasions.
ST: Kevin Schade – 6/10 – A prepared runner who typically discovered himself hitting useless ends. Cannot fault the work charge.
Substitutes
SUB: Yoane Wissa (65′ for Lewis-Potter) – 6/10
SUB: Fabio Carvalho (74′ for Schade) – 6/10
SUB: Yegor Yarmolyuk (74′ for Yanelt) – 5/10
SUB: Mads Roerslev (86′ for Van den Berg) – N/A
Subs not used: Hakon Valdimarsson (GK), Ben Mee, Jayden Meghoma, Ryan Trevitt, Yunus Emre Konak
Supervisor
Thomas Frank – 5/10 – Brentford regarded nice within the first half however Frank merely had no solutions for Ten Hag’s half-time modifications and will solely watch as the sport pale away.
