In a thrilling encounter at Old Trafford, Manchester United came from behind to defeat Brentford 2-1, marking their first victory in over a month and alleviating some of the mounting pressure on manager Erik Ten Hag.
The match began on a challenging note for United, who found themselves down to ten men just before halftime. Brentford's Ethan Pinnock capitalized on a corner kick deep in stoppage time, scoring with a header while Matthijs de Ligt was receiving treatment for a head injury. The goal came as a bitter blow for the home side, who had dominated possession but struggled to find the back of the net in the first half.
However, the second half saw a remarkable turnaround. Alejandro Garnacho equalized shortly after the break with a stunning volley from a Marcus Rashford cross. The momentum shifted dramatically in favor of United, who pressed for a second goal. Rasmus Hojlund delivered the decisive blow in the 62nd minute, expertly chipping the ball over Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken after receiving a clever back-heel pass from Bruno Fernandes.
This victory not only lifts Manchester United to 10th place in the Premier League standings with 11 points after eight matches but also serves as a crucial morale booster for Ten Hag's squad. Following a challenging start to the season and speculation surrounding his future, this win demonstrates resilience and potential for improvement within the team.
"Today’s performance was about character and determination," Ten Hag stated post-match. "We showed that we can fight back and adapt under pressure. This win is vital for our confidence moving forward."
The match attracted an impressive crowd of 73,738 fans at Old Trafford, who witnessed an exhilarating display of football that reignited hope among United supporters.
Looking ahead, Manchester United will seek to build on this momentum as they prepare for their upcoming fixture against Fenerbahce in the UEFA Europa League next week.