Manchester United got back to winning ways with a crucial 2-1 victory over Brentford at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon – in what was a repeat of last season’s scoreline in the North West.
Second-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund saw Erik ten Hag’s side come from behind to seal all three points in what was a much-improved performance.
The victory eases the scrutiny on United’s manager and will come as a relief to the club after an underwhelming first couple of months of the season.
With much to discuss, here are our five talking points.
Ten Hag’s team show character
Having fallen behind in first-half stoppage-time in controversial circumstances – with the impressive Matthijs de Ligt off the field receiving treatment – it would have been understandable if the home side felt a little deflated going in at the break.
Ten Hag’s men responded well and equalized two minutes into the second period when Garnacho swept home a lovely leveller following an exquisite cross from Rashford.
The North West giants continued to drive forward in search of another goal, and it duly arrived through Hojlund just after the hour-mark.
United defended well afterwards and saw out a vital win.
Hojlund off the mark in the Premier League
It was a huge moment for the young Danish striker when he saw his deftly executed dink roll into the back of Brentford’s net after 62 minutes to put his side in front.
Bruno Fernandes’ gorgeous flick offered a first league goal of the campaign for the Copenhagen native as he continues his return to fitness and form after an injury layoff in pre-season.
This will do wonders for his confidence going into another busy period – domestically and in Europe, with fans eager for the 21-year-old to reclaim his goalscoring form at the backend of last season.
Ten Hag lives to fight another day
It was an indifferent run of results heading into this game, with optimism among the fanbase at a fairly low ebb with the Red Devils without a win in five games.
The constant external noise about the manager’s position must be a major distraction, and you feel another poor performance or result here would have sent the negativity into overdrive.
However, this Old Trafford performance was a welcome improvement on what we have seen so far this season and shows that players are still fighting for their boss.
Hopefully, this sparks a winning run now.
Rashford looks back to his best
Marcus Rashford looked to be slowly getting back to form before the international break, and this continued as he put in another lively performance against Thomas Frank’s troops.
The Wythenshawe man turned provider for Garnacho to volley home the vital first goal – and he also played some lovely diagonal passes in what was a bright display all-round.
Despite not getting a goal himself, it is encouraging to see the 26-year-old English forward showing the sort of levels we’ve come to expect of him over the years.
Long may this continue.
Our young Argentinian continues to shine
Garnacho was back among the goals – with the Argentina international bagging his fifth of the season when he got on the end of Rashford’s pinpoint cross.
The 20-year-old winger is proving to be a genuine source of goals this season, and if he can improve on his finishing – which, like most youngsters, can be erratic at times – then we could see the Madrid-born starlet really push on.
Garnacho idolises Manchester United great Cristiano Ronaldo, and if the attacker can keep progressing and working hard, he too could make a Ronaldo-esque step up and take his game to another level.
What did you make of Manchester United’s crucial win over Brentford?
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