Manchester United would be thankful for the international break as they beat Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford on their return to action after a two-week break.
Brentford started the stronger of the two but Manchester United grew into the game with Garnacho and Rashford enjoying running behind Hojlund.
Matthijs de Ligt’s gruesome head injury was the story of the first half as he had to come off repeatedly to get patched up.
One of those absences cost United as he came off at the stroke of half-time just as the team conceded a corner and he was sorely missed when Ethan Pinnock hit a bullet header past Onana to give the visitors a lead.
United returned for the second half with a vengeance, laying siege to their goal, and were rewarded within 90 seconds courtesy Garnacho’s clinical finish.
The lead was looking like a matter of when and not if, at that point and that’s exactly what happened as Hojlund got at the end of Fernandes’ smark flick to give United the lead.
That is how the game would finish but the second half will have the team full of confidence and provides something to build on.
Here’s how the players rated-
Andre Onana – 7
Was called upon to make just one important save that he did. Can’t be blamed for the goal and was composed with the ball, especially in the second half when he picked out Dalot on his inverted runs.
Diogo Dalot – 7
Was having a good half in attack and defence until he lost Ethan Pinnock for the corner completely to let him head past Onana for Brentford’s opener. A star of the second half in an inverted role as he packed the middle and made great runs to bamboozle Brentford.
Matthijs de Ligt – 7
He will have the fans’ respect as he kept going with effectively an open wound on his head which needed patching up every few minutes. His absence to get taped up probably made things difficult for the corner from which Brentford scored. Warrior-like in the second half.
Jonny Evans – 6.5
Unassuming and under-the-radar performance which, at 37, is a credit to him. A reliable hand even at this stage of his career.
Lisandro Martinez – 6
Had the toughest assignment on the pitch, up against Mbeumo and shackled him fairly successfully. His lack of attacking nous was noticeable in an unfamiliar left-back position.
Casemiro – 6.5
Was the more adventurous of the two midfielders with his line-breaking passes. Made some nice tackles to win the ball high up with zero mistakes.
Christian Eriksen – 6
Acted as the box-crasher to Casemiro’s deep passing as he sought to add to his soaring goals tally. Missed a great chance but it wouldn’t have counted anyway.
Alejandro Garnacho – 8.5
Very lively and keeps going which is why perhaps, he will never be rated low. Looked to take on his man at every opportunity and got his reward in the second half with United’s leveller.
Bruno Fernandes – 6.5
Was having another frustrating game before his magical flick set Hojlund one-on-one vs the goalkeeper, a chance the Dane took with aplomb.
Marcus Rashford – 8
Great crossfield pass to Garnacho in the first half which the Argentine should have done better with. The end product finally did appear as a cross for Garnacho was dispatched in the second half to draw United level. Clearly playing with much more confidence.
Rasmus Hojlund – 7.5
Started off getting bodied by the centre-backs but grew into the game with nice brilliant pieces of hold-up play to fashion chances for runners beyond him. Clinical finish from Fernandes’ flick gave United the lead.
Substitutes
Joshua Zirkzee – 5
Missed a great chance to make it 3-1 and as it stands, is firmly a backup to Hojlund as the Dane’s skill set is the need of the hour at Old Trafford.
Victor Lindelof – 6
Came on late as United sought to hold onto their 2-1 lead.
Manuel Ugarte – 6.5
Shored up the midfield and brought some energy with a lung-busting run through the middle after coming on late to protect United’s lead.
Noussair Mazraoui – 6
Came on in injury time to add to the defensive numbers for the last five minutes.
Manager
Erik ten Hag – 5
The axe was out at the end of the first half but a simple tactical change of overloading the midfield set United free and the team looked transformed in the second. This team remains eons away from a finished product but the players are firmly in his corner, fighting for his job.
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