Man utd dramatic 2-1 victory over v Brentford at Old Trafford on October 19, 2024, was a match of contrasting halves.1 The first half saw Brentford dominate, taking a deserved lead through Ethan Pinnock. However, a second-half resurgence from United, sparked by substitutes Scott McTominay and Alejandro Garnacho, saw them snatch all three points with two stoppage-time goals.
A First Half for the Bees
Brentford started the game brightly, pressing United high up the pitch and creating several early chances.2 Their pressure paid off in the 45th minute when Pinnock headed home from a corner to give the visitors a deserved lead. United struggled to create clear-cut opportunities in the first half, with their attacking play lacking cohesion and creativity.
United’s Second-Half Surge
The introduction of McTominay at halftime proved to be a turning point for United. The midfielder brought energy and dynamism to the midfield, allowing United to gain more control of the game. Garnacho, who came on shortly after McTominay, also made an immediate impact, causing problems for the Brentford defense with his pace and trickery.
The two substitutes combined to score United’s first goal in the 93rd minute. McTominay, who had been a constant threat from set-pieces, delivered a pinpoint cross to the back post, where Garnacho headed home to equalize.
United’s momentum continued to grow, and they snatched the winner in the 97th minute. McTominay was again the provider, this time finding the unmarked Rasmus Højlund with a perfectly weighted pass. The Danish striker made no mistake, heading home to secure a dramatic victory for United.
Key Talking Points
United’s Second-Half Resurgence: The impact of the substitutes, particularly McTominay and Garnacho, was crucial to United’s comeback.
Brentford’s First-Half Dominance: The Bees were unlucky not to take a larger lead into halftime, having created several good chances.
Højlund’s First Premier League Goal: The Danish striker’s goal will give him a much-needed confidence boost.
Player Ratings
Manchester United
David de Gea: 6/10 – Made a few important saves to keep United in the game.
Diogo Dalot: 6/10 – Solid defensively but offered little going forward.
Lisandro Martínez: 7/10 – A commanding presence at the back.
Raphael Varane: 7/10 – Composed and assured in defense.
Luke Shaw: 6/10 – Offered some attacking threat but was defensively suspect at times.
Casemiro: 6/10 – Worked hard but was unable to impose himself on the game.
Christian Eriksen: 5/10 – Struggled to create chances and was substituted at halftime.
Bruno Fernandes: 6/10 – Showed glimpses of his quality but was inconsistent.
Antony: 5/10 – Had a quiet game and was substituted at halftime.
Marcus Rashford: 6/10 – Worked hard but was unable to find the back of the net.
Rasmus Højlund: 7/10 – Scored the winning goal and looked lively after coming on.
Brentford
Mark Flekken: 6/10 – Made a few good saves but was beaten by two late goals.
Aaron Hickey: 7/10 – A constant threat down the right flank.
Ethan Pinnock: 8/10 – Scored the opening goal and was a commanding presence atthe back.
Ben Mee: 7/10 – Put in a solid defensive performance.
Rico Henry: 6/10 – Had a quiet game by his standards.
Mathias Jensen: 7/10 – Controlled the midfield for much of the game.
Vitaly Janelt: 7/10 – Worked tirelessly in midfield.
Yoane Wissa: 6/10 – Caused problems for the United defense with his pace and trickery.
Kevin Schade: 6/10 – Had a few good chances but was unable to find the back of the net.
Bryan Mbeumo: 6/10 – Worked hard but was unable to make a significant impact.
Ivan Toney: 6/10 – Was well-marked by the United defense and had few chances to score.
Manager’s Comments
We showed great character to come back from a goal down. The substitutes made a huge difference, and I’m delighted with their impact. We need to be more clinical in the first half, but we showed great spirit and determination to win the game.”
Thomas Frank: “I’m very disappointed with the result. We were the better team for most of the game and deserved to win. We made a few mistakes at the back, and United punished us. It’s a tough one to take, but we need to learn from this and move on.”
Looking Ahead
This victory will give United a much-needed boost of confidence as they look to challenge for the Premier League title. Brentford, meanwhile, will be disappointed to have let the lead slip but will be looking to bounce back in their next game.
Player Interviews
But we showed great character to come back and win. The manager made some good changes, and we were able to get back into the game.”
Alejandro Garnacho (Man Utd): “I’m delighted to have scored the equalizing goal. It was a great feeling to help the team get back into the game. We showed great spirit and never gave up.”
Thomas Frank (Brentford Manager): “I’m very disappointed with the result. We were the better team for most of the game and deserved to win. We made a few mistakes at the back, and United punished us. It’s a tough one to take, but we need to learn from this and move on.”
Match Highlights
Brentford’s Goal: Ethan Pinnock headed home from a corner in the 45th minute to give the visitors a deserved lead.
United’s Equalizer: Alejandro Garnacho scored a brilliant header from Scott McTominay’s cross in the 93rd minute.
United’s Winner: Rasmus Højlund headed home from another McTominay assist in the 97th minute to secure the victory for United.
FAQs
How did Brentford perform in the first half?
Brentford exhibited a strong and dominant performance in the first half. Their high-pressing tactics disrupted Manchester United’s rhythm, creating numerous scoring opportunities. This aggressive approach culminated in Ethan Pinnock’s goal in the 45th minute, giving Brentford a deserved lead heading into halftime.
What changes did Manchester United make in the second half?
Manager Erik ten Hag introduced Scott McTominay and Alejandro Garnacho as substitutes at halftime. These changes injected much-needed energy and creativity into the Manchester United midfield and attack.
What did the managers say after the match?
Erik ten Hag: The Manchester United manager praised his team’s character and resilience in overcoming the early deficit. He highlighted the positive impact of the substitutes and emphasized the importance of clinical finishing in the first half.
Thomas Frank: The Brentford manager expressed disappointment with the result, acknowledging that his team had been the better side for much of the game. He pointed to a few defensive lapses that allowed Manchester United to capitalize late in the match.
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