Manchester United staged a resilient comeback to earn a 2-1 victory against Brentford in their Premier League encounter at Old Trafford on Saturday. Despite falling behind just before halftime, United managed to turn the game around with a strong second-half display.
Brentford initially took the lead in the first half through Ethan Pinnock. The goal came at a time when Manchester United’s Matthijs de Ligt was temporarily off the pitch, receiving medical attention for a head injury. Brentford capitalized on the defensive gap left by de Ligt, with Pinnock finding the net from a corner kick, giving Brentford the upper hand heading into the break.
After halftime, Manchester United wasted no time in responding. Within just two minutes of the restart, Alejandro Garnacho brought the home side level with a spectacular volley, showcasing his impressive technical ability. His equalizer provided a much-needed boost for United, setting the stage for their eventual comeback. Brentford’s defense struggled to contain United’s attack as they searched for a winner.
United’s persistence paid off when Rasmus Hojlund scored the decisive goal to complete the turnaround. Displaying remarkable composure in front of goal, Hojlund calmly lifted the ball over Brentford’s goalkeeper, Mark Flekken, securing all three points for his team. This goal capped off a strong second-half performance for Manchester United, who had struggled in the first half but found their rhythm after the break.
Player ratings reflected the mixed performance from the Red Devils. Goalkeeper Andre Onana had little to do for most of the match but was unable to prevent Pinnock’s goal. He received a rating of 6 for his steady, though relatively quiet, performance. Diogo Dalot, on the other hand, struggled defensively during Brentford’s opener, earning a rating of 5, though he did manage to create a decent chance later in the game.
Matthijs de Ligt, who was off the field during Pinnock’s goal, returned to put in a solid defensive display and earned a rating of 7. Similarly, Jonny Evans impressed with a composed performance at the back, also receiving a 7 rating despite some moments of frustration. Lisandro Martinez, after a challenging start, improved as the game went on, particularly in his battles against Brentford’s Mbeumo, earning him a rating of 6.
In midfield, Casemiro distributed the ball effectively and helped maintain United’s control, though his match was cut short by an injury late in the game, leading to a rating of 6. Christian Eriksen played a key role in United’s build-up play but missed a crucial opportunity to score, also earning a 6. Alejandro Garnacho was one of the standout performers, scoring a brilliant equalizer and receiving the highest rating of 8.
Bruno Fernandes struggled to make an impact for much of the game but redeemed himself with a superb assist for Hojlund’s winner, earning him a rating of 6. Marcus Rashford, while quiet for most of the match, provided the assist for Garnacho’s goal, which contributed to his rating of 6. Rasmus Hojlund, after a slow start, grew into the game and ultimately secured the win with his well-taken finish, earning him a rating of 8 for his efforts.
Among the substitutes, Joshua Zirkzee failed to make a significant impact after coming on for Hojlund, earning a rating of 5. Manuel Ugarte, who replaced Casemiro, delivered a solid performance, earning him a 6 rating. Victor Lindelof and Noussair Mazraoui entered the game late on and did not have enough time to influence the result, so they were not rated.
Despite the early setback, Manchester United displayed determination and character to turn the game around. The contributions from Garnacho and Hojlund proved crucial in this hard-fought victory, which could be a pivotal moment in their season.
