Manchester United took on Brentford on Saturday as the Premier League returned, here’s five things we learned.
Another late 8 pm kick-off for Manchester United was like so many have been this season, dull.
Erik ten Hag‘s side looked a shadow of the team it showed itself to be against Liverpool two weeks ago in that 4-3 win.
Mason Mount thought he’d grabbed the winner in the 97th minute, only for Brentford to equalise a minute later.
An atrocious display from United means that a 1-1 draw is a result United will be delighted by.
Here are five things we learned from the game…
Mason Mount kickstarts his United career
After possibly the worst display of the campaign from United, Mount provided a moment of joy in the 97th minute as he scored his first United goal.
As the seconds ticked down, a 0-0 draw looked like a result United would be delighted with, but Mount had other ideas, scoring a miraculous goal against the run of play.
He’s had a tough start to life at Old Trafford but the goal will hopefully see him kick on and do the No.7 shirt justice.
Unfortunately for him, Brentford equalised but his goal nonetheless was the one moment of joy in the entire game for United.
Liverpool win looks to be yet another false dawn
When United beat Liverpool 4-3 at Old Trafford two weeks ago, many thought it was a corner being turned and finally Ten Hag’s side would kick on.
But early into the game against Brentford, that looked a silly thought, as United reverted to the same lacklustre performances we’ve been accustomed to over the past year.
Lucky to not be behind at half-time, United were atrocious and it got no better as the game went on.
United looked clueless once again, and quite frankly we’re getting sick of it.
Andre Onana continues to be a standout
As the rest of the team struggled, Andre Onana continually kept United in the game with huge saves, including a double save early in the second half.
He is the reason this game didn’t end up another thrashing at the hands of Thomas Frank’s side.
After a rocky start in goal for United, the Cameroonian has now firmly established himself as one of the league’s top keepers, as he continues to face more shots than any keeper in the league.
He will be begging for the defensive structure ahead of him to improve over the summer to avoid next season being another like this.
Rasmus Hojlund is back to being given no service
Rasmus Hojlund’s 2024 had him looking like the second coming of Ruud van Nistelrooy as he fired himself to seven in six games.
But after a period out injured, he’s returned to find himself back in a position where he’s getting no service at all.
The Dane will have been watching Ivan Toney get multiple top chances at the other end and is no doubt furious at how his teammates have played.
Zero plan Manchester United
After we watched United play incredible fast attacking football against Liverpool, this game was a real drag back to reality.
Completely devoid of any plan, any momentum built against Liverpool was long gone as the team looked more like they hadn’t played together in two years than two weeks.
Long balls to nobody, gaps in midfield, lack of effort… there were so many problems with the performance that it’s hard to pin it on one.
But Ten Hag will be under severe pressure now and FA Cup successes are unlikely to save him. The biggest question is, what is Ten Hag’s style of play? Because it continues to elude us.