Premier League Match: Manchester United Drawer 1-1 with Brentford
The buzz about Erik Ten Hag, Manchester United’s manager’s future has only escalated following an eventful yet somewhat lacklustre 1-1 draw against Brentford. Initially, it seemed as though United had managed to turn a less than riveting match into an improbable victory after they took the lead six minutes into extra time, thanks to a goal by substitute Mason Mount.
However, this advantage was short-lived. Kristoffer Ajer scored for Brentford less than three minutes later, claiming a point which was no less than his team deserved. Ten Hag tried to downplay rumours about his job earlier in the week before revisiting the site of his second, disastrous, match where United gave away four goals within the first 35 minutes.
Based on this lukewarm display, it doesn’t seem as though much headway has been made since that heavy defeat in August 2022. Brentford could have easily replicated their 4-0 triumph but were let down by their inaccurate finishing which has made this season significantly more challenging than the last. They took a staggering 31 shots at goal and hit the frame four times before finally scoring.
Ivan Toney, who scored his first goal for England against Belgium midweek, had an early attempt but was thwarted by the goalpost. Brentford hit the frame again with a powerful header from Mathias Jorgensen meeting a cross from Mathias Jensen. Toney had further scoring potential but sent his shot sailing over the top after shaking off Victor Lindelof on the box’s verge. Despite numerous chances that were ultimately wasted, with attempts from Vitaly Janelt, Yoane Wissa, and Keane Lewis-Potter missing the mark, Brentford eventually found their feet.
Meanwhile, United didn’t have much to exhibit from their half-hearted first-half efforts, barring a Bruno Fernandes attempt that fizzled out wide and a saved Marcus Rashford shot courtesy of Mark Flekken. However, they did come back with increased fervour in the second half with Fernandes sidestepping the offside trap to pass to Rasmus Hojlund- a shot that Flekken expertly saved. To top off the match, Andre Onana made a spectacular double save, denying shots from Yehor Yarmoliuk and Lewis-Potter.
In a thrilling encounter, Wissa was incredibly close to scoring for the home team as his volley just missed the goalpost, followed by Toney making a daring attempt that was also slightly off target. Toney later managed to direct the ball into the net after receiving a cross from Bryan Mbeumo who had just been brought on. However, his celebrations were cut short due to a tight call for offside. Shortly afterwards, Mbeumo made an audacious shot that rattled the crossbar. Just when it seemed that luck was not on Brentford’s side, deep into the extra nine minutes of the match, Casemiro set up an opportunity for Mount to slot the ball past the far post. However, Brentford refused to back down. In the dying minute of the game, Toney passed the ball across the net where Ajer was positioned just in time to level the scoreline. A mere point from the match does not bode well for either United’s ambitions in the Champions League, or for the Ten Hag’s potential to retain his position next season.