Bullet points from Brentford

We were second best for much of a difficult game at the Gtech Community Stadium, with Thomas Frank's side peppering United's goal and hitting the woodwork three times.

The Reds struggled for penetration at the other end until a remarkable 14-minute period of stoppage time.

Mason Mount, on as a late substitute, thought his first United goal had somehow stolen the points on 96 minutes, but there was still enough time for Kristoffer Ajer to fire in and ensure the spoils were shared.

Here's what we noticed under the lights in TW8, as the Reds were cheered on at a difficult kick-off time by an always-loyal away end...

SENSATIONAL SATURDAY

This was the eighth and final match of a truly action-packed day in English football’s top flight, featuring improbable comebacks, late winners and red cards aplenty. In the seven matches before ours, a remarkable 27 goals had been scored, with fellow Champions League chasers Aston Villa beating Wolves 2-0 not long before our own game started. Erik ten Hag’s men kicked off the encounter nine points behind fifth-placed Tottenham – who came from behind to beat Luton 2-1 earlier in the afternoon – and a dozen back from Villa, who had played an extra two games.

RETURNING REDS

Ten Hag kept faith in the same XI that began the monumental Emirates FA Cup match against Liverpool 13 days ago, so the big team news involved the identity of the substitutes. Lisandro Martinez, who travelled to the United States to be part of Argentina’s camp during the international break, returned to the fray after almost two months out with a knee problem, while Casemiro was also back from a one-game absence. The South Americans were joined by Harry Maguire as bench options for the Dutchman, as the England international recovered from the issue that saw him leave the Three Lions squad early.

LATE KICK-OFF

The starting slot – 20:00 GMT on Easter Saturday, with transport to and from the capital reduced – was a big talking point in the build-up to the game, with Ten Hag expressing his sympathy for the travelling Reds who had no viable route home from London, save for driving into the early hours or splashing out for an expensive hotel. Despite the difficulty in attending, the 1,725 travelling Reds packed out their corner of the North and East Stands and, with their area consisting entirely of safe-standing seats and having had the ability to enjoy several pints of the Big Smoke’s choice ales in the spring sun before kick-off, they were in fine, fine voice. It was clear the lads appreciated it too, going over to say thank you just before departing the pitch after the warm-ups.

SURVIVING A TOUGH FIRST HALF

Brentford powered to a 4-0 victory in this fixture last season, Ten Hag’s first away match in charge of the Reds. That afternoon, a famous one in these parts, the Bees rattled us from the off, pressing high and getting in our faces as they scored all of their goals in the first 35 minutes of the fixture.

This time around there was clear improvement as the deadlock had not been broken by the break, but it was not for want of trying from Brentford, who spurned several chances as the Reds struggled to impose ourselves. Ivan Toney struck the post after an excellent through ball by Yoane Wissa, while Zanka tested the crossbar with a header as the Bees regularly threatened from set pieces. Last-ditch defending, particularly from Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane, also helped the Reds go back into the dressing room with the score 0-0 but lots of work to do.

CONCERN FOR VICTOR

United made a change at the break and another an hour into the game, with Harry Maguire replacing Varane, who took a knock blocking Toney’s shot, and Antony on for Alejandro Garnacho. The third substitution looked to be injury enforced, as Lindelof was left clutching his hamstring while attempting to force Wissa into a wide position. The early departure did allow Martinez to make his long-awaited return but let’s hope the issue for Lindelof is not too serious, just as our injury concerns otherwise start to ease.

HOLDING ON

Rasmus Hojlund had the Reds’ best chance so far, tipped away by Mark Flekken, but the Bees soon resumed their onslaught and Andre Onana produced a sensational double save to deny Yehor Yarmoliuk with his hands and then Keane Lewis-Potter with his leg. Substitute Bryan Mbeumo became the third home player to strike the woodwork and we were reeling for large periods, to such an extent that the nine minutes of additional time signalled by fourth official Gavin Ward was greeted with concern, rather than cheer.

MOUNT’S MOMENT

Then, in the sixth minute of added time, Mount thought he’d produced yet another late winner, in this season of stoppage-time salvos for the Reds. It’s been a stop-start first campaign in Manchester for Mason, but all the frustration was let out in a single second as the former Chelsea man ran on to Casemiro’s perfectly placed pass and hooked the ball into the far corner beyond Flekken. That sparked bedlam in the United end – the nearest corner to our no.7 – as a couple of thousand Mancunians celebrated what they thought was the decisive goal.

AJER NICKS A POINT

But, alas, there would be a sting in the tail. Less than two minutes later, the remaining 90 per cent of the ground were cheering wildly, as Toney’s centre found the unmarked Ajer. The Swede belted the ball into the net to cut short the wild scenes still engulfing the visiting end. A shame to concede so soon after scoring, but even the most ardent Red would struggle to argue the Bees didn’t deserve at least something from the encounter.

A SHOW OF GRATITUDE

It may not have been the result they were looking for, but the travelling Reds still rose to applaud us after the final whistle. And some received a small token of appreciation, as each of our players gave their shirts away to those in the front rows of the crowd – a gesture instigated by captain Bruno Fernandes, for the late attendance on Easter weekend. We’ll say it again: without your support, on good days and bad days, this club would be nothing.

LONDON CALLING (AGAIN)

There’s little time for Ten Hag’s men to dwell on our late misfortune, as we’re back in London in five days’ time. Chelsea are the opponents for that game, which kicks off at 20:15 GMT on Thursday, and the Blues have their own point to prove having been held at Stamford Bridge by 10-man Burnley earlier today.