Another damaging day for Ten Hag was in store when Ethan Pinnock headed the Bees in front in first-half stoppage time. But United ended a barren run in front of goal when Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund struck inside the first 17 minutes of the second half.

Victory lifts United above Brentford into 10th in the Premier League table. Ten Hag on Friday defiantly slammed speculation he is on the brink of losing his job as "fairy tales and lies."

The Dutchman has been under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks after United won just three of their first 10 games of the campaign in all competitions. However, United's desperate need for a result did not show in a subdued first-half that only sprung into life in added time.

Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken nearly gifted United the opener when he spilt a header from Lisandro Martinez and then had to scoop Hojlund's follow-up effort off the line.

Garnacho was the one bright spark of a United attack that had gone over 300 minutes without a goal in the Premier League prior to his equaliser. The Argentine twice forced Flekken into saves and also blasted into the side-netting.

But the biggest chance fell to Christian Eriksen, who somehow blasted over with just Flekken to beat against his former club. Brentford had scored inside the opening two minutes of their last four Premier League games.

October 19, 2024

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 side used the perceived injustice to fire them up for a flying start to the second half.

Garnacho found his range with a sumptuous volley from Marcus Rashford's cross 90 seconds into the second period. United's lack of a clinical striker has been central to their struggles this season and the poise shown by Hojlund for the winner will come as some relief to Ten Hag.

Bruno Fernandes was the creator with a deft touch that played in the Dane, who coolly lofted the ball over the advancing Flekken for his first Premier League goal of the season.

United should have added to their lead as Diogo Dalot failed to convert a one-on-one with Flekken before Garnacho again tested the Dutch goalkeeper. But the damage to Brentford had been done as United won at home in the Premier League for the first time since the opening night of the season.

October 19, 2024

E. Pinnock

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