For the second season running, Manchester United came from behind to secure a crucial victory over Brentford at Old Trafford and ease the pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.
United trailed at the break thanks to Ethan Pinnock’s controversial injury time header which came while Matthijs de Ligt was off the pitch being treated for a head wound.
But at the start of the second half, Alejandro Garnacho ended the home side’s 316-minute Premier League goal drought as he applied a magnificent first-time finish to Marcus Rashford’s cross.
Striker Rasmus Hojlund won it for the hosts in the 62nd minute when he ran onto Bruno Fernandes’ sensational flicked pass with the outside of his boot to calmly chip the ball over Brentford keeper Mark Flekken, who slid out to block.
It wasn’t quite as exciting as 12 months ago when Scott McTominay’s injury time double ended Brentford’s hopes of a first win in this stadium since 1937.
However, for Ten Hag, this victory could be more significant.
Ten Hag accused the media of creating ‘fairytales and lies’ over his position, but given United started the game in 14th, anything other than victory would fuel negativity around Ten Hag before Thursday’s Europa League trip to Fenerbahce.
