Manchester United must bounce back against Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
United have lost six of their 10 games in all competitions this season and Tuesday’s shock 3-2 defeat in the Champions League against Turkish club Galatasaray has increased the stakes on Brentford’s visit to Old Trafford.
Erik ten Hag needs three points this weekend because just eight weeks into the campaign, it already looks like securing a top-four finish and building on the success of last season will be an uphill battle.
Regarding the team news, Sergio Reguilon is back in training but this game has come too soon for him to be available.
Ten Hag also confirmed at his pre-match press conference that Antony was ready to start but he begins the game on the bench. Raphael Varane is replaced in the line up by Jonny Evans.
Fernandes makes controversial statement
Bruno Fernandes thinks United deserved to beat Brentford on Saturday because they ‘controlled the game’.
United were aware of the importance of winning against Brentford after back-to-back defeats against Crystal Palace and Galatasaray, but they made a nightmare start to the game when conceding first in the 26th minute.
Andre Onana, who got a weak hand to Mathias Jensen’s low-driven shot, should have done better and Casemiro was also guilty for giving the ball away in the build-up to the goal, which saw him hooked at the interval.
United pay the ultimate homage to Ferguson
Erik ten Hag was crouching down and almost on his haunches in the second half. Manchester United were on their knees. Scott McTominay stood up.
Those supporters who had stayed with their team all afternoon were rewarded. They got one goal. Then they got another.
With the grieving Sir Alex Ferguson not present, his fellow Scot paid the ultimate homage in Fergie Time. McTominay, unsatisfied with a sharp 93rd-minute equaliser he rifled in, rose to nod in a 97th-minute winner.
United ratings as McTominay brilliant and Casemiro poor
Andre Onana
Another error for the error-prone goalkeeper. Almost as bad is Onana resorted to hoofing the ball when he was bought to transform United’s playing style. Made some simple saves in the second half. 4
Diogo Dalot
Did not do enough in the final third, despite United’s ample possession of the ball, even though he had the benefit of playing at right-back. His late shot was parried and turned in by Scott McTominay. 5
Jonny Evans
A respectable return to the United starting XI at Old Trafford for the first time since February 2015. No teammate had his composure on the ball. 6
