Erik ten Hag gets instant response from one of his Manchester United undroptables in win over Brentford

Man United returned to the top four with a tough victory over Brentford at Old Trafford, where Marcus Rashford scored the winning goal.
A response to a setback and a return to the top 4. Manchester United are in shape to continue outrageous performances with character wins and this was different.

It was far from a United vintage, but it was probably never against such stubborn opponents. Brentford, back in the top flight last season after a 74-year absence, have lost fewer Premier League games than United this season. Erik ten Hag resorted to a third central defender, Victor Lindelof, for the dying embers and the Swede lost his first header with a header. Lisandro Martinez’s size has rarely mattered since his chaste afternoon at Brentford in August and the Argentine approached the tunnel as United’s man of the match for the umpteenth time.
Ten Hag pleaded with United to press on as full time loomed in a monotonous atmosphere. A United fan shouted ‘Go Martial’ and there was a polite rebuttal from a member of Brentford staff after ‘just’ four minutes of stoppage time.

David de Gea, Scott McTominay and Anthony Martial were all stripped in the 93rd minute but Brentford were harmless. United fans seemed so confident they were chanting a return to Wembley later this month.
Sturdy with his feet, De Gea is reliable with his hands. He was harassed by the Brentford Drivers one night with a rendition of “You’re just a s-t David Raya”, with his rejection of substitute Kevin Schade being crucial.

United owe De Gea’s goalkeeper a number of points to add to their tally this season. Schade skilfully edged Raphael Varane but his penultimate touch was a bit heavy and he still had the nerve to try and hit De Gea. United’s goalkeeper stayed up and United went 1-0 down.
Despite all those cat-like reflexes, United fans have kittens when De Gea is in possession. Brentford manager Thomas Frank applauded a modest press that sent Diogo Dalot into a panic after a pass from De Gea, sending the ball wide. De Gea refrained from short goal kicks until the second half and his hesitation invited the charge Ivan Toney, whose block bounced wide.

A pinging pass from De Gea that nearly overtook Jadon Sancho was warmly applauded by Bruno Fernandes. De Gea might not have wanted to be outplayed by his compatriot and opponent David Raya, one of the Spanish goalkeepers who ousted stalwart United from the national team. Raya, compared to a playmaker by Jurgen Klopp, entered United’s half with the ball in open play.
Brentford have been an accommodating opponent, capitalizing on their exposure at United nearly eight months ago. After losing the ball several times to Newcastle, United managed to win over 73% in the first half alone.

Ten Hag had vigorously gestured towards Antony at the start and cut him again during the break for the Muslim players to break the fast. Within minutes, Antony’s smooth pass was nodded by Marcel Sabitzer to Marcus Rashford for a clinically executed execution.

Brentford analysts in the press box were disheartened to discover Ethan Pinnock had failed to fight to the top with the zeal of his teammates and had played Sabitzer in the side. Sabitzer’s positioning was justification for Ten Hag, who chose the same midfield axis but swapped roles, with McTominay as keeper.

McTominay played for his country in defence, midfield and attack. He is, as he always has been, a second best to a defensive midfielder in red, but that is the role that should be given to him exclusively while he is at his youth club. McTominay came on twice within a minute as Brentford belatedly threatened the United goal.
Rashford’s 28th United goal of the season was his first in 326 Premier League minutes, a goal drought dating back to Jadon Sancho’s goal against Leicester on 19 February. van Persie scored the 30 goals ten years ago.

It is no coincidence that United returned to goal with Wout Weghorst on the bench for the first time, ending a run of 19 consecutive starts. Weghorst hasn’t been used at all, although the more subdued striker should be Martial. The fact that Ten Hag did not address Martial, who returned to squad training four weeks ago, was further confirmation that he has run out of patience with a player United intend to sack this summer. Martial was lukewarm in his 20-minute cameo.

United showed more positive intent in the first five minutes than in the full 90 minutes. He won five corners in 20 minutes and made changes to counter Brentford’s stubborn three-back allowing Luke Shaw to move into midfield. That congestion cleared space for Dalot and his tandem with Antony opened up to McTominay on the half-volley.