Five issues Erik ten Hag realized as Man Utd survive scare to beat Brentford

Manchester United’s second half comeback secured a 2-1 victory over Brentford to ease pressure on manager Erik ten Hag.

All the talk before the game unsurprisingly centred around United boss Ten Hag who returned to the Old Trafford bench despite rumours he was facing the sack during the recent international break. Plagued with injuries the Red Devils boss knew that today’s game was a must-win otherwise the board would be facing calls to give him the boot once again.

United were unimpressive in the first half failing to convert their chances with Brentford looking dangerous. A controversial call from referee Sam Barrott saw Matthijs de Ligt ushered off with an injury allowing the visitors to capitalise against a 10-man United and open the scoring from a corner.

The hosts responded perfectly after the break with Alejandro Garnacho latching onto a perfect crossfield ball from Marcus Rashford to level the scoring, before Rasmus Hojlund gave United the lead with an audacious chip over Brentford’s Mark Flekken.

While they managed to carve out a win it wasn’t straightforward proving that there are no games United can consider easy anymore. Here we take a look at what Erik ten Hag learned from the encounter.

Time is running out

This afternoon’s result may have bought Ten Hag another few games but he can’t afford to falter much more. Focus will now turn to a huge Europa League game on Thursday when United come up against former manager Jose Mourinho.

A trip to Fenerbache is one of the toughest there and a defeat could leave United with a slim chance of qualifying automatically and force the club into a quick change.

Rasmus Hojlund can produce match-winning moments

Whether it is Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee, United have struggled to find a number nine who is capable of scoring goals consistently.

However, what today made clear is that Hojlund is their best option. The Dane was United’s most threatening player in the first half, and ultimately made the difference in the second period with his classy chip over Flekken helping secure a vital victory.

You’re bound to feel the pressure when leading the line for United at just 21 years old, but if supporters stick with him then there’s no reason he can’t become the ultimate striker they desperately crave.

Garnacho is United’s biggest threat

If anyone ever questioned Garnacho’s position in the United side then they won’t be now. Ever since the Argentine burst onto the scene just over two years ago, he’s looked incredibly impressive for his age.

This season he’s stepped up to be one of few players capable of causing any opposition problems and his early second-half goal fueled United’s comeback this afternoon.

Lisandro Martinez can’t fill in at left-back

With Noussair Mazraoui the latest United defender to be sidelined, Ten Hag opted to start Lisandro Martinez at left-back with Jonny Evans lining up alongside De Ligt a centre-back.

Brentford exploited this weak point with Bryan Mbeumo causing all sorts of problems in the first half. Luckily for United Tyrell Malacia is close to returning to full fitness providing them with a solid option in a position they have been struggling to cover since the beginning of the season.

Bruno Fernandes is struggling for form

If things couldn’t get any worse for United their best player and captain has been struggling for form in recent weeks. Fernandes is widely regarded as the one player in the Red Devils’ squad who’s at his peak and you could make a case for him getting into most Premier League teams.

However, he’s been off the pace recently and hasn’t netted in his last 16 games for his club.