Late drama at Old Trafford as McTominay scores brace

In an unexpected turn of events, it was Brentford who drew first blood in the 26th minute, thanks to a composed finish from Jensen, assisted by Wissa. The visiting side were tactically astute, absorbing pressure and exploiting gaps in the United defense to take the surprising lead. The Bees were buzzing with confidence, and for a significant part of the game, it seemed as if a shock result might be on the cards.

Substitution Sparks a Turning Point

Trailing for the majority of the encounter, the Red Devils struggled to break down a disciplined and well-organized Brentford defense. However, a pivotal moment came in the 87th minute when Erik ten Hag introduced Scott McTominay, replacing Sofyan Amrabat in a bid to add more impetus to the United midfield. The change seemed to alter the dynamic of the match, injecting fresh energy into the hosts' play.

Controversy and Elation in Added Time

Manchester United’s efforts appeared to have paid off when Ajer found his own net in the 90th minute, only for the goal to be disallowed due to an offside ruling, sending a momentary wave of despair among the home supporters. However, the drama was far from over. In the 93rd minute, McTominay emerged as the savior, bringing United level and reigniting the hopes of the home crowd. The Scottish international, demonstrating impeccable timing and spatial awareness, managed to navigate through Brentford’s defenses to slot the ball into the net. Three minutes later he headed an headed assist by Maguire into the net to get the 2-1 winner.

Reflections and Looking Forward

While Brentford will feel aggrieved not to have secured at least a point after such a commendable performance, they demonstrated that they have the tactical nous and resilience to compete with the elite. Their ability to stifle United for large periods of the game will certainly be a point of analysis for teams facing the Red Devils in the future.

As for Manchester United, while the spectacular late comeback ensured three crucial points, it also exposed areas that require attention and adjustment. The resilience and never-say-die attitude emanating from the dramatic late comeback will certainly be a point of psychological advantage moving forward. However, Ten Hag and his men will be mindful of the need to address the vulnerabilities exposed by Brentford during the match.