Key points
Manchester United have finally got back to scoring and winning ways with a comeback victory over Brentford on Saturday.
It looked to be yet another one of those afternoons for Manchester United when they wasted several good chances in the first half only to go behind before the break.
Erik ten Hag was left furious with Ethan Pinnock’s goal as the referee had made Matthijs de Ligt leave the field due to bleeding, but it was the right decision.
United came back firing after the break, though, with Alejandro Garnacho volleying home the leveller from Marcus Rashford’s cross.
Rasmus Hojlund then got the winner with a deft finish and his first goal of the season. It was a desperately needed win and feel-good afternoon for Ten Hag.
You can see how the game unfolded and catch UIF’s reactions in the blog below.
FT: 2-1 – United win!
A fantastic second-half display sees United come from behind to defeat Brentford 2-1.
Ethan Pinnock had given the visitors the lead just before the break but a fantastic pair of goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund earned a return to winning ways.
90′ 2-1 – United survive nervy moment
Brentford load the box and the ball was dropping awkwardly with Untied struggling to clear, it fell to Carvalho but he could only shoot wide.
[Link]90′ – Brentford blaze over
Wissa gets in a good position but has to offload the ball and it’s then skied over. There’s five minutes added as Mazraoui returns to action in place of Garnacho.
[Link]85′ 2-1 – Utd deal with Brentford move
Brentford finally push up the field but United deal with it comfortably. Roerslev is on for the Bees with Ugarte set to replace the injured Casemiro. Lindelof has replaced Evans.
[Link]80′ 2-1 – United in control
United are doing really well to keep the ball and hem Brentford into their own final third if they do lose it. The Bees have hardly ventured past the half way line this half but United will remain wary with just a one-goal margin.
Zirkzee has just squandered a good chance after nice work from Rashford.
[Link]72′ 2-1 – United change
Hojlund goes off to a stand ovation with Zirkzee coming on. Ajer is shown a yellow for a late challenge on Hojlund.
Brentford bring on Carvalho for Schade and Yarmolyuk for Janlet.
[Link]67′ 2-1 – Dalot denied!
Dalot latches onto a long ball from Onana and goes through but can’t find his footing and Flekken snuffs out the chance.
[Link]61′ 2-1 – GOAAAAAAL! Hojlund!
The pressure pays off and United lead with another beautiful goal. Fernandes flicks the ball through to Hojlund who delicate lifts the ball over the onrushing Flekken.
[Link]52′ 1-1 – All United
Casemiro has a shot from distance pushed away and United are really turning the screw, with Old Trafford roaring them on.
[Link]49′ 1-1 – Nearly two for Garnacho
United look a different animal after the break and Flekken has just had to stretch to his limit to deny a second for Garnacho.
[Link]46′ 1-1 GOAAAAL! Garnacho!
That’s more like it and what a goal! Rashford sends a great cross to the back post and it finds Garnacho on the run who volleys it home without breaking his stride.
45′ 0-1 – The players are back and so is De Ligt
With a shiny layer of glue over his wound, but no bandage, De Ligt is back out for the second half. Let’s hope it doesn’t backfire again.
[Link]HT 0-1 – United behind at the break
United have once again been bewildering and infuriating. After surviving Brentford’s typical early flurry, they controlled the match and crafted some good chances which went wanting.
Then Pinnock scored just before the break and any good work has been rendered meaningless. A big turnaround needed in the second half.
45′ 0-1 – United are fuming
United are furious due to the circumstances of the goal, with Ten Hag and Van Nistelrooy are booked for their complaints. They don’t have a leg to stand on. A player is not allowed on the field with blood on and United have been punished for not sorting De Ligt’s injury out or taking him off.
[Link]45′ 0-1 – Brentford score
Disaster for United as an unmarked Pinnock heads home the opener from a corner.
De Ligt had come back on but was sent off again by the referee as there was still blood on his head. Down to 10-men, United dreadfully defended the corner with Dalot losing Pinnock.
[Link]45′ 0-0 – More problems for De Ligt
De Ligt’s wound has opened up and blood is pouring from his head, he will need more treatment. Four minutes added as Schade heads well wide.
42′ 0-0 – United getting closer
A flurry of chances for United as Hojlund shoots just wide from the edge of the box and Garnacho tests Flekken. United are knocking on the door but Brentford remain a threat on the break.
[Link]38′ 0-0 – Garnacho wastes a good chance
United work the ball up the pitch well but Garnacho fluffs his lines and misses the target with his effort.
[Link]37′ 0-0 – Fergie is watching Celtic today
Sir Alex is up in Scotland after this week’s controversy.
31′ 0-0 – Onana keeps the scores level
Brentford counter brilliantly and Norgaard has a speculative shot from distance but Onana has to leap to his right to tip it wide.
[Link]24′ 0-0 – Garnacho shot saved
Patient build-up play sees Garnacho eventually get the ball on the left, he goes outside and powers a shot to the near post that Flekken is equal to.
[Link]20′ 0-0 – Better from Utd
Rashford and Garnacho have finally seen a bit of the ball and have injected some urgency into attack. Rashford got to the byline with a quick burst of pace before seeing a cross blocked.
The resulting corner nearly results in a goal as Flekken loses his catch and Hojlund nearly forces it in.
[Link]15′ 0-0 De Ligt is back
Panic over, the centre-back is back on the field.
14′ 0-0 – The game continues
De Ligt got treatment for four minutes before the game continued. He’s up on his feet but blood is seeping through the bandages on his head and he’s still getting treatment on the sidelines as the game goes on.
[Link]10′ 0-0 – Worrying for De Ligt
De Ligt tries heading a ball but misses and instead collides with Schade’s knees. Not only does he give away the foul but he’s also getting treatment with Lindelof warming up.
[Link]6′ 0-0 – Another chance for Brentford
Mbuemo is enjoying a great start to the season and he is already looking dangerous today against an out-of-position Martinez. He’s just cut in side the defender and sliced a shot well wide but it was a warning.
[Link]3′ 0-0 – United get away with one
A dangerous attack sees the ball fall nicely for Schade in front of goal but the striker misses his kick and United get very lucky.
[Link]1′ 0-0 – Going well so far
United have managed to survive the opening 60 seconds, which Brentford have found quite profitable of late.
[Link]Kick-off is nearly upon us
Can United turn their worst start to a season ever around? Fingers crossed!
[Link]
Garnacho’s pre-match thoughts
Garnacho has said before the game: “The season has not been very good for us, but we’re still all together, from players to the manager, everyone.
“We need a win today to make our fans proud. Playing at Old Trafford is always special, and we have to do it.”
Kudus to miss United game next week
West Ham’s Mohamed Kudus has been off in his side’s battering at the hands of Tottenham this afternoon. He’ll now get a three-game ban starting with next week’s game against United.
Who’s at left-back?
The only mystery in that United XI is who will be playing at left-back out of Jonny Evans and Lisandro Martinez.
The Argentine would make more sense thanks to his superior pace and ability on the ball going forwards but that in turn would leave the very slow duo of Evans and Matthijs de Ligt in the middle.
It’ll be interesting to see what Erik ten Hag decides.
Brentford team
Flekken; Van den Berg, Ajer, Pinnock, Collins; Nogaard, Janelt; Schade, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter; Mbuemo.
United starting XI
Onana; Dalot, De Ligt, Martinez, Evans; Casemiro, Eriksen; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund.
Subs: Bayindir, Lindelof, Mazraoui, J. Fletcher, Ugarte, Amad, Antony, Wheatley, Zirkzee.
A must-win for United
United are on a barren run in the Premier League and have to return to winning ways or the pressure will only mount on Erik ten Hag.
Youngsters involved
Ethan Wheatley and Jack Fletcher was spotted arriving at Old Trafford this afternoon amid United’s injury woes.
Good afternoon
Welcome to UIF’s LIVE coverage of Manchester United vs Brentford in the Premier League.
[Link]Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
