Manchester United 2-1 Brentford analysed: McTominay’s comeback, Ten Hag’s

Manchester United have some hope. The question is: how much?

A last-gasp 2-1 win over Brentford from 1-0 down at 90 minutes glossed over another underwhelming performance but, United will hope, gives them the springboard to reignite their season.

Scott McTominay was the hero, scoring twice off the bench in the 93rd and 97th minutes to claim the most unlikely of victories.

Andre Onana looks short of confidence and full of mistakes, Casemiro was taken off at half-time and Marcus Rashford also endured another difficult afternoon.

But after two home defeats, Erik ten Hag’s side now have a win again and head into the international break just about avoiding a crisis.

How big a result was this or did it just paper over cracks?

Laurie Whitwell: Old Trafford has not seen celebrations like that in a long time. McTominay’s injury-time double turned disaster into ecstasy, the stadium a sea of whirling limbs backed by an incredible noise.

It recalled to mind Steve Bruce’s late brace from 30 years ago, which switched defeat into sweet victory for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team. The difference is that back then United were on course for the title. This win puts United into ninth in the table. Thoughts of championships are a long way off.

Indeed, before McTominay scored, Ten Hag’s tenure was lurching into deep crisis. Brentford fans were taunting him with chants of “sacked in the morning”, as United headed for a third consecutive home defeat in the league. The last time that happened was in 1979.

United have averted that damning statistic but the alarming aspect was that for large parts of the game United looked devoid of ideas. Additionally, Brentford’s goal was possibly the worst conceded by United, a litany of mistakes by Ten Hag’s players.

Ten Hag took off Casemiro and Rashford, two of his best players last season, and a loss would have sucked hope from the manager’s powers of survival. Those issues remain. But the manner of this comeback victory, the energy in Old Trafford at the final whistle, could be the catalyst for a deeper turnaround.

Who deserves credit for the win?

Dan Sheldon: Ten Hag will be thanking McTominay for turning this game on its head.

As the game entered its final stages, Brentford were getting deeper and deeper, with United starting to pile on the pressure without any end product.

But when McTominay scored his first goal in the 93rd minute, Old Trafford erupted and it felt inevitable they would score again.

The noise inside the ground grew louder and louder until Harry Maguire’s header from a set piece was headed home by McTominay. Ten Hag bounced around the technical area, knowing how much the Scottish international’s goal meant.

United dominated large parts of the match but McTominay’s desire to win this game was quite the spectacle. He was a man possessed in the final few minutes.

Who was to blame…