Under the London sun, Brentford outshone Manchester United as they strolled to a 4-0 win. Josh DaSilva, Mathias Jensen, Ben Mee and Bryan Mbuemo were the goalscorers on an extraordinary evening. The result leaves Manchester United rock bottom, with Liverpool next up.
Off the back of a disappointing performance at home to Brighton last Sunday, Erik Ten Hag took his Manchester United side on the road for the first time this season, looking for a confidence boosting first win. But a lackadaisical first half performance from Man Utd offered Brentford the opportunity to punish them with their high tempo football.
On the Premier League’s 30th birthday, Brentford treated us to one of the best first half performances the Premier League has seen. The Bees stung Erik Ten Hag’s side and completely blew them away, racing into a four-goal lead heading into the break. The first time Man Utd have ever been 4-0 down at the break in the Premier League.
With most of the work done in the first half Thomas Frank’s side had to be professional and see the game out. Erik Ten Hag on the other hand had all the work to do, he rolled the dice and made three changes to try and sure up his defence after a difficult first half.
Story of the match
Thomas Frank made two changes coming into this one with Josh Da Silva replacing Vitaly Janelt after his wonderstrike against Leicester City last weekend and Mads Roerslev came in for Yoanne Wissa. New summer recruit Mikkel Damsgaard had a spot on the bench.
Manchester United made one attacking change with the fit and available, Cristiano Ronaldo replacing midfielder Scott McTominay. Meaning Erik Ten Hag opted for an attacking midfield trio of Fred, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes.
With the heat batting down on the GTech community stadium, many expected a slower tempo to the game with Brentford unable to play the way they usually do. But, Brentford were quick out the blocks with Josh Da Silva giving them an early lead in the 10th minute. Da Silva was given time and space on the edge of the box, before unleashing a low-driven shot that was spilled by David De Gea. The Spaniard let a comfortable strike slip through his fingers, with the ball dribbling over the line.
Mathias Jensen added to Man Utd woes after forcing former teammate Christian Eriksen into an error, before picking up the ball and tucking into the bottom left corner.
Manchester United were melting under the sun and Brentford weren’t finished there. Toney got on the end of a deep Brentford corner managing to head back across goal to Ben Mee who outmuscled Lisandro Martinez to head into an empty net. A physical mismatch.
An embarrassing first half performance got worse as Brentford swept up the pitch with a splendid move finished off by Bryan Mbuemo. Mathias Jensen pumped the ball down the line to Ivan Toney who played a delicious ball in behind Manchester United to Mbuemo who shown much more desire to beat Luke Shaw to the ball before sliding home Brentford’s fourth goal. Putting the icing on a brilliant first half performance from the bees. Erik Ten Hag on the other hand was left dumbfounded, his United side were played off the park.
Ten Hag used three of his five subs at half-time to try and stop the rot defensively. Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martínez and Fred replaced by Tyrell Malacia, Raphaël Varane and Scott McTominay. The second half started at a slower tempo with Brentford looking to nullify Manchester United and any hope they had of sparking an historic comeback.
Manchester United looked to try and eat away at Brentford’s lead, with Cristiano Ronaldo coming closest with a header just over the bar. But the chances were few and far between for Manchester United.
Eriksen looked like he scored on his return to the GTech community stadium when a hooked left-footed volley went narrowly wide in the 81st minute.
Player Of The Match
On a stunning evening in London, every Brentford player was streets ahead of their Man Utd counterpart. But Mathias Jensen stood out dictating the play and making the Man Utd's midfield look non-existent. Brilliant pressing for the second goal, before finishing it off himself.