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Goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund ensured Manchester United completed a comeback victory against Brentford to end a five-game winless streak in all competitions amid mounting pressure on Erik ten Hag.
Ethan Pinnock gave the visitors the lead just on the brink of half-time with a bullet header from close range, which left Ten Hag’s side furious after Matthijs de Ligt was forced off the pitch to receive treatment for a head injury.
United were not behind for long as Garnacho equalised for The Red Devils with a bullet strike shortly after the break.
The home side doubled their lead in the 63rd minute when Bruno Fernandes’ backheel flick played in Hojlund, who beat the offside trap to dink the ball over Mark Flekken.
Brentford will welcome Premier League newcomers Ipswich Town to the Brentford Community Stadium next Saturday.
Talking Point – Game of two halves
As cliche as it is, Ten Hag’s half-time talk turned on a switch to inspire a completely different United in the second half and made it difficult for Thomas Frank’s side to get a feel of the ball. They reacted positively after going behind and whilst left furious by the referee’s decision to take De Ligt off the pitch to receive additional treatment for a head wound, they were worthy winners.
Despite a 2-1 scoreline, Manchester United looked likely to score more and probably should have, had they been more clinical in dangerous positions.
The win ends a winless run of five games in all competitions and moves The Red Devils up into the top half of the Premier League table and will ease the mounting pressure for the United hierachy, with games against West Ham and Premier League newcomers Leicester City and Ipswich Town to come.
Player of the Match – Alejandro Garnacho
It was a fine display by the Argentina international, who missed the international break with a knee injury, and he looked back to his best. Every time he got onto the ball, he looked a threat and likely to score, and made Sepp van den Berg’s day in Manchester one to forget.
Player Ratings:
Man Utd: Onana 7; Dalot 6, De Ligt 7, Evans 7, Martinez 6; Casemiro 7, Eriksen 6, Fernandes 7; Garnacho 8, Hojlund 8, Rashford 6. Subs: Lindelof 6, Mazraoui 6, Ugarte 6, Zirkzee 6
Brentford: Flekken 6; van den Berg 4, Collins 6, Pinnock 7, Ajer 6; Janelt 6, Norgaard 7; Mbuemo 5, Damsgaard 6, Lewis-Potter 7; Schade 6 Subs: Wissa 6, Yarmolyuk 7, Roerslev 6, Carvalho 6
Match Highlights:
GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 0 – 1 BRENTFORD (PINNOCK 45+5′) And the home side are furious. De Ligt is forced off to get treatment and they have to defend with 10 men. Pinnock rises the highest and heads home from close range with a bullet header.
GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 1 – 1 BRENTFORD (GARNACHO 47′) That didn’t take long. It’s some finish by Alejandro Garnacho. Rashford finds Garnacho and it’s a super strike by the Argentinean to put his side level. Flekken had no chance at saving that from close range.
GOAL! MANCHESTER UNITED 2 – 1 BRENTFORD (HOJLUND 63′) It’s great build up play by United again and they deserve to be ahead. Hojlund beats the offside trap after being played in by Fernandes and it’s a lovely finish by the forward.
