After five competitive games without a win, Manchester United have once again celebrated a win and thus a breakthrough for the beleaguered coach Erik ten Hag – despite falling behind in the meantime. The Red Devils turned the game around with a strong second half, a powerful volley from Garnacho and a lob from Höjlund.
After five competitive games without a win and the worst start to a season in 35 years, Man United manager Erik ten Hag remained under intense pressure – and that almost increased even further in the third minute of the game when Brentford striker Schade failed to make contact while standing free in the box.
The eleventh minute brought no better news: De Ligt, one of three new players in the starting lineup compared to the 0-0 draw at Aston Villa before the international break – Casemiro also replaced Mainoo, who had a thigh injury, and Lisandro Martinez Mazraoui – collided with Schade’s knee during a clearance. After a short treatment break, he was able to continue, but his wound on his head kept opening up and he had to leave the field bleeding several times.
ManUnited: Late shock and quick equalizer
That should still be important, but first things first. First, the Red Devils got into the game better and had decent opportunities through Höjlund after a mistake by Flekken following a corner (21′) or through two shots from Garnacho (26′, 38′). However, the goal was scored by the guests shortly before half-time. On a corner, Pinnock was able to run unimpeded into the box, rose unchallenged and headed powerfully into the net (45.+5). De Ligt was not on the field as he had been sent to the sidelines for treatment shortly before, bleeding heavily.
However, the home side’s response was not long in coming. ManUnited got off to a dream start after the break, with Garnacho hammering a volley into the net 90 seconds after the restart (47′).
Höjlund rewards ManUnited for strong second half
The equalizer spurred on ten Hag’s team, who then piled on the pressure and had further attempts on goal from the striking Garnacho (51′) and Casemiro (52′) – Flekken was on hand to save both. But then Manchester was rewarded for their strong second half: Höjlund, wonderfully set up by Bruno Fernandes, lobbed Flekken to turn the game around (62′).
The visitors, on the other hand, had little or nothing to offer in the second half. With ten minutes left, ManUnited had 9-0 shots on target after the break, while Brentford had no offensive spark. So the game rippled towards its end, with no convincing final offensive from the team of coach Thomas Frank.
The Red Devils celebrated their first competitive win in over a month, which should also ease the pressure on ten Hag for the time being. This week, the team now faces Fenerbahce in the Europa League on Thursday (9 p.m.), while the league game against West Ham United is scheduled for the following Sunday (3 p.m.). Brentford will next take to the pitch on Saturday, when they will play at home against Ipswich Town (4 p.m.).