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Manchester United took on Brentford in their eighth game of the Premier League season at Old Trafford.
Andre Onana started in goal while Diogo Dalot started in his more familiar right back position, with Noussair Mazraoui dropping to the bench. Lisandro Martinez started in the unfamiliar role at left back while Matthijs de Ligt and Jonny Evans formed the centre back partnership.
Casemiro, Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes formed the midfield trio, reminiscent of the 2022/2023 season when they were the first choice midfield three before the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo.
Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund were the attacking trio charged with delivering the three points for Erik ten Hag’s side.
Here are four things we learned from the match at a sun-soaked Old Trafford.
Matthijs De Ligt controversy
The Dutch centre back has hardly set the world alight during his time at United so far but he is undoubtedly one of the club’s most physically imposing defenders.
During the first 20 minutes of action he had to leave the pitch to receive treatment on a head wound after being caught by a Brentford attacker’s knee on the head.
Somewhat unbelievably he had to go off a further two times as the bleeding would not stop, leaving his side to go down to ten men on all three occasions.
The Bees took full advantage as Ethan Pinnock slammed home an unmarked header in the fifth minute of additional time in the first half with De Ligt enraged and helpless on the side of the pitch.
Ten Hag and Ruud van Nistelrooy were incensed by the decision but unfortunately for United the rules clearly state that a player who is bleeding or with blood on their equipment must leave the field of play.
The real inquest should be into how they did not solve the issue faster or in fact take off the player at an earlier stage to avoid such a scenario playing out in the first place.
United’s wastefulness is a huge problem
With five goals scored in seven Premier League matches before the match today, it is as plain as day what some of United’s biggest issues are as a team.
Ten Hag’s side had missed 17 big chances before the match against Brentford and in yet another failure to score in the first half, missed several more big opportunities.
Alejandro Garnacho found himself in a couple of good positions to open the scoring during the first 45 minutes but his composure let him down in the key moments.
Christian Eriksen has had a renaissance this season but he was also guilty of missing a clear opportunity as he wildly fired over from close range.
Garnacho did make amends with a fine volleyed finish early in the second half for his fifth strike of the season, but if the Red Devils are to achieve what they want to, they will need to work less to find the back of the net.
Marcus Rashford continues his mini-revival
The 26 year old had a wretched season last year where he hit the lowest of lows in his career on the pitch.
Whilst he still has much to do to regain his electric showings of 2022-2023, he is certainly moving in the right direction.
He provided a beautiful ball for Garnacho to smash home the equaliser and played a few raking long balls that perfectly set up his side to counter attack.
After an impressive showing versus FC Porto in the Europa League, the Mancunian is quietly putting together a string of class showings and now has four goals and three assists in 12 encounters this season.
Rasmus Hojlund back in amongst the goals
The Dane struggled for Premier League goals during his first few months as United’s first choice striker but he soon found his confidence, finishing as the side’s top goalscorer in all competitions last season.
Hojlund had the worst of luck to start this campaign picking up an injury against Arsenal in pre-season and had to wait until the end of September to make his first appearance of the season.
There has been much debate on whether Joshua Zirkzee or the Dane should be the starting striker and while the former brings excellence in the build up, there is no question that the latter is much more deadly in front of goal.
He opened his account in Portugal against Porto and scored a sumptuous chip to give his side the lead against the Bees in front of a delighted Old Trafford.
The Red Devils will certainly be banking on the fact that Hojlund continues to develop into the lethal finisher that they paid £72 million for last summer.
Featured image Michael Regan via Getty Images
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2024-10-19 16:02:43
