Manchester United placed on a sensational comeback as they secured a much-needed 2-1 win over Brentford.
The Purple Devils have been sluggish 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 best 45 minutes of soccer this season after the break.
Alejandro Garnacho equalised virtually instantly, earlier than Rasmus Hojlund chipped residence a deserved winner.
How the sport unfolded
Brentford practically made their sometimes quick begin and will have simply discovered themselves 1-0 forward contained in the opening jiffy. Kevin Schade got here agonisingly near tapping residence a fierce cross, however couldn’t discover the additional inches wanted to stretch and make contact.
Mikkel Damsgaard ought to have accomplished higher with a volley from the sting of the penalty space as Brentford tried to make their early dominance in possession rely.
In opposition to the run of play, Mark Flekken practically gifted United the opener. The Brentford stopper claimed a tame header however managed to drop the ball proper on the toes of Hojlund, needing to fling himself on the unfastened ball to cease it crossing the road.
Garnacho stung Flekken’s gloves halfway via 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 positively 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 deal with a nasty head wound, and United’s ten males didn’t cease Pinnock from heading residence 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 put up, and the Argentina worldwide rifled residence with actual class.
Flekken acquired down nicely 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 individuals, discovered himself performed via on purpose however couldn’t discover a manner 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 a complete lot to do except for decide the ball out of his web. Nice passing imaginative and prescient.
RB: Diogo Dalot – 7/10 – Defended his wing so nicely, however spoiled his first-half efficiency with a poor try to cease Pinnock from heading residence the opener. Given extra attacking freedom after the break.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt – 7/10 – Took a severely sore bump on the pinnacle early on and needed to go away the sphere twice to deal with 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 occasionally 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. Usually received that particular person battle with some crunching challenges.
DM: Casemiro – 7/10 – Lacked the vitality to deal with Brentford’s energetic press within the first half however seemed much 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 appropriate facet, with United focusing most of their efforts down the other wing. A stunning 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 purpose.
LM: Alejandro Garnacho – 8/10 – The clear menace in United’s assault. Received in behind on quite a few events and managed to attain maybe probably the most troublesome of all the possibilities afforded to him.
ST: Rasmus Hojlund – 7/10 – Put himself about nicely and acquired the purpose 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 adjustments wanted to wrestle absolute management of this sport. The second half was maybe the most effective 45 minutes of United’s season thus far.
GK: Mark Flekken – 6/10 – Practically gifted Hojlund an opener however made up for it nicely with a collection of stable saves.
RB: Sepp van den Berg – 4/10 – Some actually nervy moments in possession and struggled up in opposition to Garnacho. Misplaced his man for the equaliser.
CB: Nathan Collins – 6/10 – Stored an in depth eye on United’s forwards and ensured there was no house round him.
CB: Ethan Pinnock – 7/10 – A full of life defensive efficiency capped off with a vital purpose shortly earlier than the interval.
LB: Kristoffer Ajer – 6/10 – Stable and unspectacular. Did not actually should do a lot to maintain maintain of Rashford.
RM: Mikkel Damsgaard – 7/10 – Buzzed round with infectious vitality and precipitated all types of issues for United’s again line within the first half. An excellent 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 via the primary half.
LM: Keane Lewis-Potter – 5/10 – Not all the time concerned in proceedings however tended to provide 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 vitality to the ahead line, even when house wasn’t all the time straightforward to come back by. A little bit too remoted at occasions.
ST: Kevin Schade – 6/10 – A keen runner who usually discovered himself hitting lifeless 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 seemed nice within the first half however Frank merely had no solutions for Ten Hag’s half-time adjustments and will solely watch as the sport light away.
