Ten Hag will be somewhat relieved by Hojlund’s composure in winning, as United’s struggles this season have largely been caused by their lack of a competent striker.
When Manchester United overcame Brentford 2-1 on Saturday, they ended a five-game losing streak, which relieved manager Erik ten Hag.
Manchester United’s Danish striker #09 Rasmus Hojlund (R) celebrates scoring his team’s second goal with Manchester United’s Portuguese midfielder #08 Bruno Fernandes during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Brentford at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)
When Ethan Pinnock put the Bees ahead in first-half stoppage time, Ten Hag was in for another rough day.But within the first 17 minutes of the second half, goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund gave United their first goal-scoring run in over a month.With the win, United moves up to 10th place in the Premier League standings, surpassing Brentford.On Friday, Ten Hag angrily dismissed rumours that he could soon lose his job as “fairy tales and lies.”
The Dutchman has come under more and more scrutiny in the last few weeks after United only managed to win three of their opening ten games across all competitions.United’s desperate need for a result, though, was not evident in the dull first half, which only came to life in added time.Goalie Mark Flekken of Brentford almost gave United the lead after spilling a Lisandro Martinez header and having to clear Hojlund’s rebound off the line.Before his equaliser, Garnacho’s United attack had gone more than 300 minutes without a goal in the Premier League. He was the only bright spot in the lineup.
Ethan Pinnock put the Bees ahead in first-half stoppage time, setting up yet another disastrous day for Ten Hag.But within the first 17 minutes of the second half, goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund gave United their first goal-scoring run in over a month.With the win, United moves up to 10th place in the Premier League standings, surpassing Brentford.On Friday, Ten Hag angrily dismissed rumours that he could soon lose his job as “fairy tales and lies.”
Manchester United’s Danish striker #09 Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring his team’s second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Brentford at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on October 19, 2024. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP)
The Dutchman has come under more and more scrutiny in the last few weeks after United only managed to win three of their opening ten games across all competitions.United’s desperate need for a result, though, was not evident in the dull first half, which only came to life in added time.Goalie Mark Flekken of Brentford almost gave United the lead after spilling a Lisandro Martinez header and having to clear Hojlund’s rebound off the line.Before his equaliser, Garnacho’s United attack had gone more than 300 minutes without a goal in the Premier League. He was the only bright spot in the lineup.
The Argentine hit the sidenetting and twice forced Flekken into saves.But Christian Eriksen had the best opportunity, as he managed to defeat his former team with just Flekken to beat.
Brentford had scored inside the opening two minutes of their last four Premier League games.This time the visitors worked themselves into the game slowly as Christian Norgaard’s dipping effort drew a fine save from Andre Onana.United were furious at the circumstances surrounding the opener five minutes into added time at the end of the first half.Matthijs de Ligt had suffered a deep cut on his head early on when he crashed into the knee of Kevin Schade.The Dutch international twice had to go off the field to stem the flow of blood.In De Ligt’s absence, Brentford took advantage of United being down a man as Pinnock powered in a header from Mikkel Damsgaard’s corner.Ten Hag was booked for his protests that United were forced to defend the corner a man down.
But his team took advantage of the apparent unfairness to jump out to a quick lead in the second half.Marcus Rashford’s cross found Garnacho for a sumptuous volley ninety seconds into the second half.Hojlund’s composed finish to win the match will somewhat relieve Ten Hag, as United’s problems this season have mostly been caused by their lack of a reliable striker.Bruno Fernandes’s deft touch allowed the Dane to score the first Premier League goal of the season, lofting the ball coolly over the charging Flekken.Garnacho tested the Dutch keeper again, but United ought to have taken the lead sooner after Diogo Dalot missed a chance to go one on one with Flekken.But Brentford had already suffered enough as a result of United’s Premier League home victory—their first since the opening night of the season.
