Match report: United 2 Brentford 1

The visitors took the lead through Ethan Pinnock, from a corner deep in first-half stoppage time in controversial circumstances, with well over the indicated additional time played and United down to 10 players due to Matthijs de Ligt being treated for a head injury.

Alejandro Garnacho produced a stunning equaliser on the volley, soon after half-time, as Erik ten Hag's team hit back. Rasmus Hojlund's second goal of the season capped an excellent performance from him and put United into a lead that was never relinquished.

Further chances could have extended the lead but for Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who made a number of saves throughout the game. But it was a strong team showing from United after a difficult start to the season, with excellent individual displays all over the pitch.

FIRST HALF - REDS BEHIND

It was easy to see why Brentford had made a habit of scoring fast in recent games when Kevin Schade was close to connecting with a threatening cross from the left. Bryan Mbeumo also blazed a shot high and wide, but there was a lengthy early break when De Ligt suffered a nasty cut to the top of his head in a collision with Schade’s knee. He was patched up, but the bleeding would later restart.

The Bees were pressing very high up the pitch, which left gaps in midfield for United to play in, if we could beat that initial swarm. But the Reds hadn’t tested Mark Flekken until Lisandro Martinez’s near-post header 20 minutes in was fumbled by the visiting goalkeeper. The away bench breathed a sigh of relief as he managed to just scoop the loose ball off the line after it hit Hojlund, although it may possibly have been handball, in any case.

As the Reds began building a head of steam, Flekken parried from Garnacho at the near post as our no.17 unleashed a fierce shot from the left. Andre Onana flew to his right to make his first save of the afternoon to deny Christian Norgaard's curler, but overall momentum was in United's favour in the closing stages of the half.

Christian Eriksen skied from close-range, although a foul in the build-up ensured it wouldn't have counted. Hojlund only just missed with a low shot from outside the box and Flekken did well to readjust and parry a deflected shot from Garnacho, created after good centre-forward play from Hojlund.

The breakthrough from Brentford was against the run of play, with Pinnock taking full advantage of United being forcibly reduced to 10 players after referee Samuel Barrott ordered De Ligt from the pitch, feeling he needed more treatment. The centre-back leapt unchallenged to meet Mikkel Damsgaard’s delivery just a few yards out, heading home.

SECOND HALF - REDS ROAR BACK

United's response to falling behind was perfect. Garnacho had been threatening on the left in the first half and, when he saw space to run into the box, Marcus Rashford delivered an exquisite diagonal ball that the Argentina winger met sweetly on the volley, opening up his body to strike it past Flekken.

Moments later, Flekken pushed another Garnacho attempt wide of the post. The Bees stopper was looking into the low autumn sun after the break, making his next save to deny Casemiro from distance slightly awkward, although he still just about kept it out.

The Dutchman was more comfortable when Bruno Fernandes took aim shortly after, holding onto the ball this time.

Bruno turned creator as United took the lead with just over an hour played. It was a wonderfully clever flick from the captain with his heel, moving the ball into Hojlund’s path. With the goal at his mercy, the Dane opted for precision over power, carefully lifting the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper.

Brentford soon had Flekken to thank for stopping Diogo Dalot, who had latched onto a long pass forward, from extending the United lead. The Bees goalkeeper was also on hand to pinch the ball off Joshua Zirkzee's toe as we continued to probe for a third goal, also gathering from Garnacho, who failed to fully connect with a first-time effort after De Ligt had burst forward down the right.

United sought to assert control over the final moments in a bid to frustrate Brentford and quash any late surge from the visitors that could have produced an equaliser. But the last of the danger passed when substitute Fabio Carvalho dragged a tame shot wide in stoppage time, after an earlier strike by the ex-Liverpool man hit his own man.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Onana, Dalot, De Ligt, Evans (Lindelof 89), Martinez; Casemiro (Ugarte 88), Eriksen; Garnacho (Mazraoui 90+1), Fernandes (c), Rashford; Hojlund (Zirkzee 74).

Substitutes: Bayindir, J. Fletcher, Amad, Antony, Wheatley.

Goals: Garnacho 47, Hojlund 62.

Booked: Evans 45+6, Dalot 54.

Brentford: Flekken; Van den Berg (Roerslev 87), Collins, Pinnock, Ajer; Janelt (Yarmolyuk 75), Norgaard (c); Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Lewis-Potter (Wissa 66); Schade (Carvalho 74).

Substitutes: Valdimarsson, Mee, Meghoma, Konak, Trevitt.

Goal: Pinnock 45+5.

Booked: Norgaard 55, Ajer 73.

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