Manchester United bounced back from a five-game winless streak to defeat Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford in the Premier League. After conceding a controversial goal in the first half, United responded with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund in the second half. The win eases some of the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag, who saw his team dominate the game and create several chances throughout. Relive the action from Old Trafford with our live blog.
Manchester United Triumph Over Brentford, Breathing New Life into Ten Hag's Tenure
After enduring a frustrating five-game winless streak, Manchester United finally found their rhythm, defeating Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford in the Premier League. The victory tempered some of the mounting pressure on manager Erik ten Hag and showcased the team's resilience and attacking prowess.
Match Summary
United fell behind early in the match when Brentford's Mathias Jensen scored a penalty kick that was awarded after a handball by Lisandro Martinez. However, United refused to buckle under the pressure and fought back tenaciously.
In the second half, Alejandro Garnacho sparked United's comeback with a stunning strike from the edge of the box. Minutes later, Rasmus Hojlund converted a cross from Aaron Wan-Bissaka to put United ahead.
Brentford threatened an equalizer in the closing stages, but United held firm to secure their first victory since beating Sheriff Tiraspol in the Europa League on October 27.
Impact on Ten Hag
The win comes as a much-needed respite for Ten Hag, who has faced mounting criticism over his team's poor form. United have now won four of their last five matches in all competitions, including a 2-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Carabao Cup.
Ten Hag's decision to start Garnacho and Hojlund over established veterans like Cristiano Ronaldo and Harry Maguire paid off handsomely, with both youngsters contributing vital goals.
Top 5 FAQs
Q: What was the controversial penalty decision?
A: The penalty was awarded after a VAR review determined that Martinez had handled the ball in the box. The decision was met with some debate, as Martinez appeared to have been pushed into the ball by Brentford's Yoane Wissa.
Q: Who was United's best performer?
A: Garnacho stood out as United's most impressive player. The 18-year-old winger created multiple chances and scored a magnificent goal to equalize the match.
Q: Was this a turning point for United?
A: It's too early to say definitively, but the victory could provide United with a much-needed confidence boost. The team showed character and quality in fighting back from a goal down, and they will need to maintain that level of performance in future matches.
Q: What are United's upcoming fixtures?
A: United face a busy schedule in the coming weeks, including a Premier League clash against Burnley on Wednesday, November 23rd, and a Europa League match against Real Betis on Thursday, November 24th.
Q: Who is United's leading goalscorer this season?
A: Marcus Rashford is United's top scorer so far this season, with 8 goals in all competitions.
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