It’s been another nervy weekend for Manchester United in their first match back after a much-needed breather provided by the international break. Brentford arrived at Old Trafford full of purpose and took the game to Erik ten Hag’s men from the offset. Keeping up a recurring theme in recent times at Old Trafford, the Bees were full of energy and belief as they attacked without fear — underscoring just how wounded United are at home these days.
With online sports betting still a massive draw throughout Europe and beyond, football fans have been revelling in the odds at the best betting sites on everything from Man United’s chances of a top four finish (15/2) to Erik Ten Hag as the favourite to be the first Premier League manager to get the sack this season (1/2). With all the betting intrigue surrounding United, by the end of the first half bookmakers and pundits alike were all ready to bet on Erik Ten Hag not surviving another week in charge of the Red Devils.
After all, going into the break, United fans had that familiar sinking feeling again as Brentford took the lead on the stroke of halftime. The goal came courtesy of a thumping Ethan Pinnock header from a corner. Smacking of opportunistic timing, the Bees took the lead at a time when Matthijs de Ligt was forced to leave the field for a second time as blood gushed from a head injury he’d received earlier in the game — that sense of injustice ultimately providing Ten Hag’s salvation.
Manchester United should fight
United were temporarily reduced to 10 men when they conceded with the forlorn look on Ten Hag’s face conveying his feelings that the football Gods were truly against him. However, the team led a spirited comeback in the second half to win the game.
It started with a brilliantly executed goal just two minutes after the break as a swirling Rashford cross was crisply met on the volley and fired home with conviction by Garnacho.
The winner came barely two minutes later as Rasmus Højlund latched onto a deft flick from Bruno Fernandes and provided a neatly chipped finish. The delight on Erik Ten Hag’s face was clear to see as the team provided a solid display from there.
With a good few chances after that weren’t converted, the score finished 2 -1 and Ten Hag lived to fight on as manager for another week. However, for many fans, it’s an all too familiar sight — pulling off victories when the job’s truly at stake, only to slip backward once the danger passes.
No doubt it was a great performance from the team but the curtain of despair hanging over United hasn’t dissipated by any means. It‘s a horrible position to be in but for many fans brave enough to admit it, a draw or a loss might not have been the worst result this time if it meant the axe could finally fall. For them, it’s too late to save Ten Hag now and every victory the team manages doesn’t change the picture as much as it simply delays the inevitable.
