Manchester United's dismal performance at Brentford has dragged the manager back into the quagmire, even as victory over Liverpool boosted Erik ten Hag's employment prospects…
For two weeks we waited, wondering what was next. Dramatic win against Liverpool could be a turning point Will it save Manchester United's season and Erik ten Hag's skin?
no.
we should have known. His 4–3 win in the FA Cup was the result of an upset and did not suggest sustainable improvement. At Brentford, United reverted to the same disaster that had put Ten Hag on trial for liability.
The manager's credit for disposing of Liverpool evaporated as Brentford managed the Red Devils in one of the most one-sided draws in the Premier League this season. Only the Bees' incompetent finishing has kept United within 11 points of the top four (12 points considering the 20 goal difference) with nine games remaining.
United should come within two points despite being mostly behind for 105 minutes in west London. It looked like they had pulled off another late heist when Mason Mount scored his first goal for the club six minutes into stoppage time. But still, the Red Devils managed to find time to highlight their own inability to draw games that should have been won or lost.
Christopher Ajer's equalizer was the last of 31 shots attempted by Brentford. 31. The Bees have only come within that half three times this season. It was supposed to be an easy home win for a relegation-threatened side who have won two of their last 18 games.
Brentford (3.11) 1-1 (0.51) Manchester United
— xG Philosophy (@xGPhilosophy) March 30, 2024
It was not an off night for United. The win against Liverpool was typical of a season that has become an anomaly. In their last seven league games, they have allowed their opponents an average of 25 shots per game. Tonight they were scary, but far less scary than we already know.
If last season's visit to Brentford showed the scale of the task facing Ten Hag, tonight's trip highlighted how far the United manager has fallen short of that task. Blame is widespread, and there is more than enough for any one person to escape being made a scapegoat, but Old Trafford's new decision-makers have no idea what is worth rescuing from further abyss. I wouldn't have been able to find it either.
The problems were both personal and systemic. Jamie Redknapp went Pashyun's way at half-time, criticizing United's lack of energy and effort. He probably had a point, but he meant more than just not getting angry.
United were set up in defence, up front and with half-fit Koby Mainu doing his best to fill the void in between. Mainoo has made an impressive breakthrough as one of the few bright spots in a dark season, but even England's newest star boy needs a hand. Scott McTominay can help with the burst into the box, but he can't provide that or be told to do anything else.
It was disappointing to see how little United were able to get creative against a patchwork Brentford defence, with McTominay close to Bruno Fernandes as a support act in the front three. Rasmus Heilund was thrown a scrap, losing 14 of 16 duels. The centre-forward had more clearances (five) than touches inside Brentford's box (three). Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho both looked frustrated at being replaced, having been lucky enough to last so long.
The defense, who ended up with a different combination of center backs from the beginning, looked forever surprised by this. This was perhaps understandable given the lack of defense afforded them, forcing the last line to retreat towards their own goal with surprising regularity.
Manchester United's Mason Mount scores for Brentford.
Were there any positives for Ten Hag? Mount scored a goal to remind us of his presence and a decent finish off the £55m summer signing fee United didn't need could be a turning point.
But this United team will not see a turning point. They offer fleeting moments that tease us that perhaps a penny has dropped. But they always end up back to their pathetic meanness. The summer is the turning point they really need, a new direction from the dugout.
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