THE late late show saw Manchester United give up what was going to be a smash and grab for the ages.
The Red Devils were well off the pace during their clash with Brentford but still managed to leave the capital with the points shared after a 1-1 draw.
Manchester United thought they had won it with a late goal
Brentford hit back just moments later to secure a share of the spoils
Erik ten Hag’s side looked like a team who had seen the international break disrupt their rhythm while Brentford were on top for almost the entire game.
But travelling United fans thought the long journey south was worth it when the lesser-spotted Mason Mount popped up with a 96th minute goal to put them 1-0 up.
But only moments after the celebrations had sent spectators’ hearts racing, Kristoffer Ajer scored just minutes later on the other end, bringing the game to a 1-1 tie.
After enduring an assault of efforts from Thomas Frank’s team for ninety minutes, United will likely still consider themselves fortunate to have drawn a point.
Despite their subpar effort, they were not able to lose all three points; they were a shell of the club who defeated Liverpool 4-3 in the FA Cup just before the break.
Here’s how we rated each Man Utd player’s performance…
Andre Onana – 7
Had to be alert to tip wide a ferocious Mathias Jensen shot from a narrow angle but was relieved to see Ivan Toney’s scuffed effort rebound off his right-hand post and Zanka’s header skim the top of the bar. Got down well to save Kean Lewis-Potter’s header.
Continued to keep United in the game after the break with a fantastic double stop against Yehor Yarmoliuk and Lewis-Potter as Brentford peppered his goal.
Diogo Dalot – 6
Slid in to stop a Bees counter as Yarmoliuk raced in but was largely sloppy on the ball.
Victor Lindelof – 6
Denied Toney a tap-in from six yards with a well-timed interception, but let him loose moments later as he scuppered a glorious one-on-one.
Hobbled off with what looked like a hamstring injury in the 68th minute.
Raphael Varane – 5
Produced a crucial block in front of Lewis-Potter’s half volley inside the box, but was nut-megged by Yoane Wissa as Toney went through and smacked the inside of the post.
Was subbed off at half-time presumably due to injury.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka – 4
Run-ragged at times and caught out of position ball-watching on too many occasions. Played everyone onside for Brentford’s dramatic late equaliser.
Scott McTominay – 5
Pretty anonymous. Given the run-around by Brentford’s five-man midfield and did not know whether to press or stick.
Kobbie Mainoo – 6
Showed glimpses of his coolness on the ball, and even had the audacity to try a Balotelli-esque shoulder pass, but spent most of his night chasing shadows.
Bruno Fernandes – 6
Set Marcus away early with a fine long ball that ended up with him dragging shot wide, but was caught napping by Jensen in his own box that almost led to a goal.
Almost teed up Rasmus Hojlund for a second half opener but had strayed yards offside.
Marcus Rashford – 5
Crowded out when trying to force an opening on the edge of the box and looked lethargic on the counter when United needed some energy and impetus.
Alejandro Garnacho – 6
Other than one tame header wide, the Argentinian struggled to impose himself on the first half, dropping deeper and deeper to get on the ball.
Was hauled off just before the hour mark.
Rasmus Hojlund – 5
Spent the early stages getting manhandled by Brentford’s beast of a back three and cut a hugely frustrated figure with the lack of service.
His first effort on goal was well saved by Mark Flekken but would not have counted. That was as good as he got.
SUBS
HARRY MAGUIRE (VARANE, 46) – 6
Brought on to bring calm, but not many defenders could do that in this United side. Looked edgy and rusty but at least brought some physicality.
ANTONY (GARNACHO, 58) – 6
Very few touches to announce himself and then a curling beauty went agonisingly wide.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ (LINDELOF, 68) – 4
Looks half the player he was before his knee injury. A bizarre toe-poked clearance straight to Toney should have seen the Bees take the lead.
And then, just as United grabbed an unlikely winner, he allowed Toney to dribble around him in the box and tee-up Kristoffer Ajer for a deserved equaliser.
CASEMIRO (MAINOO, 79) – 6
His first pass was misplaced and his first tackle got the man, not the ball, summing up his influence on this team right now, even if he did assist Mason Mount’s opener.
MASON MOUNT (RASHFORD, 79) – 8
What a moment for him and what a boost this could be for his United career. Completely against the run of play, he took his one chance in injury time brilliantly.
