Man Utd analysis: Only time will tell if Brentford win is a turning point for Erik ten Hag
Manchester United gave under-pressure manager Erik ten Hag some breathing space with a come-from-behind win over Brentford at Old Trafford on Saturday.
The fact this game was a mid-table tussle reflects the poor start the Red Devils have made to the 2024/25 Premier League season, with the victory moving them up to 11th in the table.
But there were some positives for United fans, and Sports News Blitz writer Robert Bore picks through the bones of the victory…
'Fairytales and lies'.
It may sound more like something off Netflix but in a week where Erik ten Hag accused the media of telling tall stories and stoking the fires of dissent around Manchester United, at least he had a happy ending on Saturday.
It still might not end up in a happily-ever-after story for the under-pressure Dutchman, but the 2-1 victory over Brentford at least made sure the closing credits on this particular instalment ended with smiles.
Sloppy start
Because let's be honest, for the opening 20 or so minutes there was a distinctly familiar air of doom stinking out Old Trafford.
United were poor. They struggled to get hold of the ball as the visitors dominated possession, waltzing through the centre of the pitch like a Matilda as Ten Hag's decision to go with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen at the heart of his midfield looked to be the wrong one.
In the absence of Kobbie Mainoo and with Manuel Ugarte not long back from international duty maybe his hands were tied - likewise Jonny Evans and Matthijs de Ligt planted at centre-back with Lisandro Martinez sent to their left and Diego Dalot opposite.
With Bruno Fernandes not seeing the fruits of his creative labours reap their usual harvest so far this term, eyes turned to the front three of Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund.
And despite the insipid start there was a sign of things to come when Hojlund turned his man on halfway before feeding Rashford.
His perfectly-arrowed crossfield ball to Garnacho fell beautifully before the youngster beat his marker but not the keeper.
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Some may argue that Ten Hag's luck off the pitch is holding up well considering he survived beyond the international break - but on the pitch it definitely isn’t.
The Bees took the lead on the cusp of half-time when Ethan Pinnock headed home his second goal in two games unopposed from a corner - pretty much bang on where de Ligt would have been stood if he’d not been forced off (probably rightly) as blood continued to piss from his head - courtesy of an earlier - accidental - headbutt on Kevin Schade’s kneecap.
Rightly or wrongly, United weren't pleased. De Ligt was furious and the hosts were behind. A sarcastic round of applause reserved for Dalot, tasked with keeping Pinnock quiet and failing miserably.
United trudged off with the usual feeling of foreboding and the statisticians keen to point out Brentford were 45 minutes away from their first win at OT since February 1937.
Ten Hag would claim that De Ligt had already been treated (twice) and the blood was dry but the sense of injustice fuelled his side and they came out fired up.
They were level within 90 seconds.
Delicious pass
Rashford curled a delicious ball to the far post where Garnacho, growing in stature and influence by the week, connected sweetly on the volley.
It was no more than he deserved and he would be a thorn in Brentford's side all game, eight shots equalling his best matchday haul in a red shirt and the goal taking him to the top of United's Premier League goalscorer charts - with two!
The stage was set for a winner and it came after 62 minutes, Fernandes with a delicate flick into Hojlund's path and the big Dane did the rest, composing himself before dinking the ball over Mark Flekken in the away goal.
Papering over the cracks?
A turning point or papering over the cracks? Only time will tell.
But even the most optimistic red would look at their side languishing in 11th spot coming out of the weekend with a minus-two goal difference and be feeling giddy.
A trip to Turkey to face former boss and long-time nemesis Jose Mourinho and his Fenerbahce side in the Europa League beckons on Thursday before a trip to West Ham on Sunday.
Maybe what looks, at least on paper, to be a kinder run of fixtures can finally get the campaign up and running.
Failure to do so may finally end up in the last episode.
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