Manchester United took the lead in Brentford in the sixth minute of stoppage time, but had to settle for a point in the end. Overall, the Red Devils could even count themselves lucky – the aluminum saved them four times
The Bees went into the international break with a 2-1 defeat at Burnley. In addition to the suspended ex-Red Devil Reguilon, for whom Lewis-Potter slipped into the first eleven, coach Thomas Frank also replaced Onyeka (bench) with Yarmolyuk.
Meanwhile, the visitors from Manchester went into the game at the Gtech Community Stadium with much more confidence. United coach Erik ten Hag made no changes from the spectacular 4-3 extra-time win over Liverpool in the FA Cup, but was pleased to welcome back the recovered Martinez to the squad.
United can’t get a grip – Brentford in aluminum pitch
The United supporters in attendance saw little of the visitors’ aforementioned confidence in the first half. After the Red Devils had had much more of the ball in the opening quarter of an hour, the Bees created the better opportunities from then on, and not just in terms of numbers
Brentford literally pushed for the lead, but showed great deficits when it came to converting chances and were also unable to rely on the necessary bit of luck. The home side were denied twice by the aluminum: first Toney hit the post (24′) and then Jörgensen hit the crossbar (32′).
Red Devils start the second half more actively
There was still very little from Man United, with only Rashford providing at least a hint of goal threat with his ultimately harmless shot from distance in the 42nd minute. The result was a goalless draw at the break, which only partially reflected the course of the game so far.
The visitors got into the game better after the restart, but were unable to punish the Bees for their lack of chances. Both Diogo Dalot from distance (52′) and Höjlund from a few meters (54′) were unsuccessful.
But the home side did not let up either, forcing Onana to make a remarkable double save in the 55th minute and failing to hit the aluminum – or more precisely the far left post – for the third time just three minutes later in the person of Wissa.
Ajer counters Mount deep into stoppage time
With Varane, who had already been replaced by Maguire at the break, and Lindelöf forced off with an injury, Martinez made his comeback in the 69th minute after around two months out injured. However, the Argentine did not help the visitors to improve their defensive stability and they were lucky that Toney’s supposed 1-0 goal was disallowed for offside (73′).
When Brentford scored for the fourth time through Mbeumo a little later (78′), spectacular stoppage time was only to be expected to a limited extent. There were nine minutes on top – plenty of time to get the lucky punch.
After substitute Mount had given the Red Devils a much-acclaimed and undeserved lead with his first United goal after Casemiro’s assist (90.+6), the Bees did not bury their heads in the sand. Three minutes later, the strong and ever-present Toney powered his way through the opposition penalty area, kept an overview and fed Ajer, who only had to slot in behind the United defense
The draw did not help either team in the table. Brentford continue their campaign at home to Brighton on Wednesday (8.30pm). The Red Devils visit Chelsea FC at Stamford Bridge a day later (9.15pm)
