Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund got on the scoresheet as Manchester United bounced back after conceding a controversial goal to beat Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford for their first victory in more than a month.
The win meant United climbed to 10th in the standings on 11 points after eight matches, and eased some of the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag, whose job has been the subject of media speculation. Brentford are 12th on 10 points.
United had 10 men on the pitch when Ethan Pinnock headed in Brentford’s goal from a corner deep in first-half stoppage time after referee Sam Barrott instructed Matthijs de Ligt to go to the touchline to stem the bleeding from a gash on his head.
United came out of the break fired up and Garnacho latched onto a cross from Marcus Rashford to fire home from the left side of the six-yard box into the far corner in the 47th minute.
Hojlund put the home side ahead in spectacular fashion in the 62nd when Bruno Fernandes found him with a back-heel pass, and the Dane chipped the ball over goalkeeper Mark Flekken.
Manchester United vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League updates
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FULL TIME! Manchester United end five-game winless run with comeback win
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68’ GOAL! Hojlund puts United ahead with brilliant chip finish (MUN 2-1 BRE)
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48’ GOAL! Garnacho fires equaliser shortly after the restart (MUN 1-1 BRE)
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45+5’ GOAL! United behind as Pinnock heads visitors in front (MUN 0-1 BRE)
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United defender De Ligt was off pitch receiving more treatment for head injury
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United are on a five-game winless run in all competitions
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Man Utd XI: Onana, Dalot, de Ligt, Evans, Martinez, Casemiro, Eriksen, Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund
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Brentford XI: Flekken, van den Berg, Collins, Pinnock, Ajer, Janelt, Norgaard, Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter, Schade
Manchester United FC 2 – 1 Brentford FC
Manchester United’s sense of injustice sparks comeback win for Erik ten Hag
17:43 , Richard Jolly
Perhaps it took a sense of injustice to spare Manchester United further ignominy. When the half-time whistle blew, they were losing and losing their rag, Brentford on course for a first win at Old Trafford since 1937, United set for a third consecutive league defeat at Old Trafford, a fate they had not suffered since 1979. As it stood, they were the joint lowest scorers in the Premier League, their drought stretching past five hours. The class of 2024 were failing, the class of 2004 fuming. Ruud van Nistelrooy was booked. Darren Fletcher ran after the officials in the tunnel.
Ethan Pinnock’s opener – though actually far less controversial than United imagined – had annoyed their past. Their present responded. The temptation was to call it a much-needed win for Erik ten Hag, though perhaps the scarcity of victories means they all are, but ended with a first triumph in six games, just a fourth in 12 outings this season. The outstanding Alejandro Garnacho delivered a wonderful equaliser, Rasmus Hojlund a decider to cap a show of spirit.
Man Utd’s sense of injustice sparks comeback win for Erik ten Hag
Manchester United vs Brentford
17:06
The full-time whistle sounds and United are 2-1 victors over Brentford at Old Trafford. While the first half saw a bloody De Ligt struggling and touchline-bound, Brentford were decisive in his absence and struck the lead just before the interval. Pinnock rose best from a Damsgaard corner to head into the top-left, and it’s fair to suggest that even with De Ligt on the pitch, that goal would still go in. In the second half, United changed their tune and were inspired by Garnacho’s continued skilful industry. Just two minutes into the new period, the Argentine restored parity with a lovely volleyed finish as Rashford found him on the left channel of the area with a beautifully pin-point pass. Then, after continued offensive impetus, 15 minutes later saw the Red Devils snatch the lead with Hojlund. Martinez won the ball back and played forwards. Fernandes then offered a deft flick to play in the Dane, who obliged to dink the on-rushing Flekken and ultimately provide the decisive goal of the afternoon. United operated at an xG of 1.48, while the visitors stayed at an xG of 0.98. Now, United go 10th in the table, with Brentford down to 12th. Thank you for joining us today, goodbye!
Manchester United vs Brentford
17:02
FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 2-1 BRENTFORD
Manchester United vs Brentford
17:01
Brentford are keeping United in their area. The hosts don’t react to the dropping ball following a long-throw and then Carvalho drags his effort wide right!
Manchester United vs Brentford
17:00
Brentford keep fighting here and Frank has waved his players forward. Can they level late on?
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:59
There will be five added minutes today.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:56
United’s stand-out star Garnacho comes off to a standing ovation. Noussair Mazraoui is on, fully recovered from recent surgery on his heart.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:56
Rashford enterprise results in a corner on the right for United. Brentford clear, with Mbeumo desperate to break, yet he doesn’t get far. In the next pahse, Yarmoliuk fires over, but the flag is up anyway on Wissa’s run through the back line.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:53
Substitution Jonathan Grant Evans Victor Jörgen Nilsson Lindelöf
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:53
Substitution Carlos Henrique Casimiro Manuel Ugarte Ribeiro
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:52
Mbeumo wins a free-kick deep on the right and after a free-kick cross has the United defence alert, an eventual offside halts the visiting progress.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:51
Substitution Sepp van den Berg Mads Roerslev Rasmussen
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:49
United have numbers forward as Rashford drives at Collins and shoots, yet the move was rather telegraphed and the Irishman can block. Garnacho then pounds one low and hard after De Ligt made good yardage, yet Flekken can save easily, putting his body behind the ball.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:46
Casemiro darts in and Rashford puts the ball into Zirkzee’s path, but again, the Dutchman can’t get it under control. He just can’t catch a break.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:44
Damsgaard tries to wriggle through the Red Devils’ midfield, yet Eriksen ushers him off the ball before then getting fouled himself.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:43
United are just knocking the ball around now with jeers arriving from the home crowd. Zirkzee then gets played in, yet he can’t take it in his stride. Casemiro takes control, yet it’s comfortably wide right.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:39
Brentford’s changes keep coming as Janelt is withdrawn for young Unkrainian Yehor Yarmoliuk.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:39
Hojlund comes off to a brilliant Old Trafford reception following his game-changing dink. Joshua Zirkzee is on for the last 16-plus minutes.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:39
Substitution Kevin Schade Fábio Leandro Freitas Gouveia de Carvalho
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:39
The ball has been in play for a while now, but the referee remembers a foul from Ajer on Hojlund, and the Norwegian is booked.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:36
Dalot has seemingly forgot he’s a defender! He’s tried to race in behind again! The pass for the right-back was just too long, though, and Flekken claimed easily.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:33
Dalot breaks in behind after Onana pings one forward, and with Schade falling, Flekken has to come out and block the Portuguese! Great pass from the Cameroonian keeper!
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:30
Substitution Keane William Lewis-Potter Yoane Wissa Bileko
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:27
United are a complete different team here in the second half. Garnacho is looking electric and puts the ball into an area where there’s no one. Casemiro then crosses and Fernandes heads wide.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:28
Assist Bruno Miguel Borges Fernandes
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:25
United have a corner on the left with Eriksen. Hojlund darts in behind and Van den Berg puts it behind. The corner utlimately comes to nothing as a short move is well-read by Brentford.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:22
Norgaard is down now after Fernandes seemingly studs the Dane’s ankle on the right. No card given though.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:20
Yellow Card Christian Thers Nørgaard
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:19
Dalot slides through the back of Lewis-Potter and receives a deserved yellow card.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:18
Manchester United have attempted six shots on target in this match, higher than their season average of 4.8 in the Premier League.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:18
Casemiro has a go from range, and the sun-blinded Flekken saves again! The cap-wearing Dutchman didn’t look too sure where that was, yet he does well in the low sunlight.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:17
Garnacho nearly gets a second! Van den Berg is allowing the winger too much space and he jinks in from the left to fire low. Flekken tips it from the bottom-left corner in agile fashion.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:15
Brentford have conceded three goals in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Only West Ham United (four) have conceded more in the Premier League this season.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:12
Rashford and Hojlund link up superbly on the edge of the Brentford box and the latter runs inside, yet Pinnock slide tackles superbly.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:12
Goal Alejandro Garnacho Ferreyra
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:12
Assist Marcus Rashford
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:11
We’re back underway at Old Trafford as United have work to do.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:04
With that showing, Manchester United have now failed to score a first-half goal in seven of their eight games, more often than any other team in the Premier League this season. Something has to change for Ten Hag if he wishes his keep his job. United’s half chances have culminated in a lowly xG of 0.28. Although Brentford have largely operated on the counter, their xG of 0.83 hints at far more positivity going forward, and their decisive nature in front of goal has illustrated they’re not just early goal gimmick-chasers. United can’t play victim for too long in this one, otherwise Brentford could pull away.
Manchester United vs Brentford
16:00
The interval arrives and Brentford lead 1-0 here at Old Trafford as United are incensed. A relatively non-descript game had panned out to this point with Flekken and Onana only really tested by Garnacho and Norgaard efforts, respectively. Yet, the drama arrived in the final knockings. Earlier in the match, De Ligt for some reason opted to use his head to tackle Schade’s knee and was off the pitch on numerous occasions to get the wound on the top of his skull sealed up. However, as he cleared a late cross from the visitors, it opened up again, and thus he was called off for treatment. Brentford took the corner and Pinnock rose best to head into the top-left corner, and it’s fair to suggest that even with De Ligt on the pitch, that goal still goes in. Dalot didn’t follow the defender’s run and now an offensively blunt United trail with only themselves to blame.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:55
HALF-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 0-1 BRENTFORD
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:52
Brentford have a corner here on the left. De Ligt’s head wound is open again. It’s doubtful he’ll be back for the second half.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:52
Goal Ethan Rupert Pinnock
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:52
Yellow Card Jonathan Grant Evans
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:47
There will be four minutes of added time here.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:47
Damsgaard nearly finds Lewis-Potter behind the United line, but an agile leg from Dalot, it looked like, halted the trouble. United are still forced to defend and De Ligt has blood running down his head!
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:46
Norgaard is frustrated at Casemiro’s theatrics to win a foul off the Dane. Referee Barrott has a chat with the Brentford midfielder to calm him down.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:44
Garnacho forces Flekken to save! Hojlund offers brilliant hold up play and then finds Garnacho who cuts back on his right to fire into the bottom-left. It’s deflected slightly and Flekken can save before it’s smashed behind for a corner. This comes to nothing, yet United keep the pressure up.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:43
Collins is down after Hojlund collides with the defender. The Dane is then played in in Collins’ vacant spot and the centre-back gets up to track back as the striker fires low and wide of the right post. The Irishman wasn’t happy with the referee there. Hojlund was apologetic.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:39
United counter after Lewis-Potter is slow to cross on the left. Hojlund holds the ball up in the centre and Rashford then pings Garnacho through on the left. The youngster drives at goal but his finish is poor and balloons high and wide at the near post.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:38
Casemiro has a go from range, and it’s deflected over for a corner on the right. Norgaard heads away and Fernandes then slams one way over.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:36
Eriksen fires over from inside the box. How on earth has he missed by such a height? Well, it doesn’t matter, as Collins was fouled by Rashford in the lead up and Eriksen has reprieve.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:34
The corner on the left nears Schade, yet Eriksen clears for the hosts.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:34
Onana saves from Norgaard! The Dane turns away from Casemiro with aplomb and fires from a central-right position just outside the box. It’s going in the left-side, yet Onana is agile to tip it away for a corner.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:32
After United eventually deal with Mbeumo, debatably illegally, with an arm across the throat being employed – Fernandes is fouled by Schade as he looks to get Garnacho off and running.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:31
Mbuemo gets left by Martinez and Evans lashes the ball skywards as the winger clearly causes panic as he chases Flekken’s ball from the back just off the right side.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:28
United buzz with intent around the Bees’ box and it goes out to Garnacho. He takes on Van den Berg succesfully and fires on goal. However, Flekken saves well down to his right. The subsequent corner comes to nothing.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:27
Brentford have lost all three of their Premier League away games so far this season – they’ve not begun a league campaign with four straight losses on the road since 1961-62, when they lost their first nine in the third tier. They’ve admittedly looked the brightest out of the two teams so far here.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:23
Flekken drops his claim from the left-sided corner and it has to be cleared off the line with Hojlund lurking!
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:22
The corner falls to Garnacho after De Ligt leaves it. His shot is blocked but the hosts keep coming and Rashford’s left-sided cross is blocked by Pinnock.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:21
United have a corner on the right after Ajer puts a cross behind on that side. Eriksen will take.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:20
So far, Brentford have had 68% possession to United’s 32%. There have been zero attempts on the Bees’ goal so far.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:18
De Ligt is back on, presumably glued up. Brentford have a throw-in on the left with Pinnock. He can launch them. Damsgaard then fires, but can’t get hold of it and Martinez blocks.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:17
Lewis-Potter smashes his free-kick into the wall and United can build out. Reminder, De Ligt is still on the sideline receiving treatment. Untied down to ten.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:16
Well, after De Ligt receives treatment to a gash on the top of his head, it looks like the medics are going to try and strap him up further. It does look like Lindelof will be entering the fray at some point, despite De Ligt’s intent to stay on.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:14
De Ligt is down with a head injury. Schade has flicked the ball over the Dutchman and the defender has headered the German’s knee. Free-kick to Brentford, as the former Bayern man was nowhere near the ball.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:11
Brentford are in possession here, yet United have pressed them deep. Somehow the Bees have well to escape with Ajer, yet his pass on the edge of the United area is intercepted well by Garnacho’s slide. Great recovery.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:09
Mbeumo brings the ball down from a simply sublime Collins cross-field ping and the winger drives at Martinez before jinking back on his left. However,he can’t keep the shot down and it flies high and left of the target.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:07
Manchester United average 0.7 goals per game in the Premier League this season (five goals in seven games), compared to three goals per game across all other competitions this term (12 goals in 4 games).
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:06
Brenford should have the lead here. Janelt crosses excellently from the left and Evans miss-kicks it. Schade misses it too and United survive!
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:05
Fernandes makes a positive start on the left. He drives and fires in a low cross for Hojlund to try and latch onto at the near post. However, Flekken is out to claim.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:03
Onana finds the ball at his feet. He’s out of his box playing like a centre-back. Interesting.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:03
And we’re off. United look to keep possession and not allow the Bees yet another early goal.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:02
Manchester United will kick us off after the coin toss.
Manchester United vs Brentford
15:02
Today’s official is Samuel Barrott, and he leads the players out to the Old Trafford turf. There’s a palpable tension around the place as Ten Hag’s future continues to hang in the balance. Will he get his team firing today? Or will United succumb to the dynamic speedsters from West London? All we know, is that this one should have all the makings of an entertaining watch.
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:57
Brentford boss Thomas Frank came within a matter of minutes of securing his side’s first Old Trafford victory since 1937 in the corresponding fixture last season. However, while Scott McTominay’s late strike denied him, hopes remain alive against this inconsistent United team this afternoon. For this meeting, Frank makes no changes to the team that whalloped Wolves 5-3 last time out, with attacking impetus very much in focus with the continued excellence of Bryan Mbuemo. He has scored six goals in his seven Premier League games this season, netting in each of his last three appearances. His next goal or assist will see him become the first Brentford player to register 50 Premier League goal involvements (currently 28 goals, 21 assists).
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:52
Erik ten Hag makes three changes to the Manchester United side that drew 0-0 with Aston Villa last time out in the Premier League. The injured Harry Maguire makes way while Noussair Mazraoui drops to the bench. Kobbie Mainoo is also out of the team. In their place, arrive Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, and Matthijs de Ligt.
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:47
SUBS: Hakon Rafn Valdimarsson, Ben Mee, Jayden Meghoma, Mads Roerslev, Ryan Trevitt, Yegor Yarmolyuk, Yunus Emre Konak, Fabio Carvalho, Yoane Wissa.
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:47
BRENTFORD (4-2-3-1): Mark Flekken; Sepp van den Berg, Nathan Collins, Ethan Pinnock, Kristoffer Ajer; Vitaly Janelt, Christian Norgaard; Bryan Mbuemo, Mikkel Damsgaard, Keane Lewis-Potter; Kevin Schade.
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:47
SUBS: Altay Bayindir, Noussair Mazraoui, Victor Nilsson Lindelof, Jack Fletcher, Manuel Ugarte, Amad Diallo, Antony, Ethan Wheatley, Joshua Zirkzee.
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:42
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): Andre Onana: Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Jonny Evans, Lisandro Martinez; Casemiro, Christian Eriksen; Alejandro Garnacho, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford; Rasmus Hojlund.
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:42
Manchester United are hoping their home contest against Brentford will prove to be the start of a more consistent run of form after another turbulent spell in the Premier League campaign under divisive manager Erik ten Hag. Currently, United are in 13th place on eight points after seven matches. Manchester United earned a point in their last Premier League match, drawing 0-0 at Villa Park against Aston Villa, extending their winless streak to three (W0 D2 L1). Brentford defeated Wolverhampton Wanderers in a staggering 5-3 at home in their last league match. This ended a three-match winless streak, and left the visitors in 11th spot on 10 points through seven matches.
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:37
Hello everyone, and welcome to live text coverage of the Premier League’s Matchweek eight clash between Manchester United and Brentford at Old Trafford.
Manchester United vs Brentford
14:30
Lineups are announced and players are warming up.
Manchester United vs Brentford
13:00
Follow all the goals and latest action from the Premier League here with The Independent. Team news and line-ups coming up shortly…
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