Ten Hag, Manchester United’s problems pile up after a disastrous loss to the excellent Brentford

LONDON — After a Lost 2-1 to Brighton in the opening match, Manchester United lost 4-0 first Brentford, conceding all 4 goals in the first half of the match. Brentford played well, and United’s defensive mistakes coupled with a lack of attack gave the Bees their first win over the Reds in the Premier League.

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ESPN’s Rob Dawson has reacted after a disappointing result for Ten Hag’s United.

CLICK: Player ratings | Best/worst performer | Outstanding and remarkable moments | Quotes after the game | Key stats | Upcoming furniture

Rapid response

Things got worse for Erik ten Hag

If the new Manchester United manager thinks last weekend’s game against Brighton was bad, it’s even worse. Much worse. Brentford took a 4-0 lead with half an hour left and then spent the rest of the game toying with Ten Hag’s team. Shame is an understatement.

Ten Hag, appointed in the summer from Ajax, is the first United manager to lose their first two games since John Chapman in 1921 while United have now lost their last seven away games – the worst streak their team since 1936. That was also four defeats in the league. consecutive – extending back to last season – the first time since 1979. Ten Hag – who gave Cristiano Ronaldo start his first season – respond to a lousy first half performance by substituting Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez and Fred at half-time but there were few United players worthy of staying after the first 45 minutes.

He desperately needs new players before the transfer deadline, but perhaps more importantly, he needs to see some fighting from the people he inherits. After two games, two defeats and a goal difference of minus five, United are bottom of the Premier League table and things don’t get any easier for Ten Hag. His next game is against Liverpool at Old Trafford on August 22.

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David de Gea under pressure

David De Gea has been United’s No 1 goalkeeper for more than a decade but it is widely suggested that he should be left out during Liverpool’s trip to Old Trafford. He was caught on his line when Aston Villa scored a last-minute equalizer in a friendly in Perth and his season has only gone downhill from there. Ten Hag wanted his side to play attacking from the keeper and De Gea’s pass was not good in the loss to Brighton.

Against Brentford, however, it was even more damaging. He let Josh DasilvaHis tame shot twisted under his body to give Brentford the opener as he tried to pass Christian Eriksen. The pass wasn’t there, Eriksen was robbed by Mathias Jensenwho made it 2-0 for Brentford in the first 20 minutes.

With Dean Henderson send loan Forest of Nottingham36 years old Tom Heaton – who appeared only once last season – is the current No 2 and is likely to come face to face with Liverpool should Ten Hag decide to make a change. United are keen to add another goalkeeper to their squad before the transfer deadline and those efforts will intensify after De Gea’s latest disaster.

Brentford revenge

Thomas Frank was furious after Man United’s visit to Brentford in January when Ralf Rangnick’s side somehow managed to stave off misses in the first half to eventually win 3-1. Brentford played so well that night that he should have missed the ball in the first half but ended up paying the price with a series of missed opportunities. They didn’t make the same mistake again.

Brentford has targeted Martinez with long passes to Ivan Toney, put pressure on the ball all over the pitch and kept United from playing from behind to take a 4-0 lead within 35 minutes. They need only 30% possession to do it and convert four of their seven shots on target in a clinical display that brutally exposes the fragility of a United team seemingly lacking in technical ability and belief in yourself.

Brentford didn’t deserve to lose to United here last season but they made up for it this time with a dominant performance to secure their first win of the new season. The headlines will be about United but Frank and his team deserve credit for a well-executed game plan that put Ten Hag and his players to shame.

Player ratings

Brentford: David Raya 7, Aaron Hickey 7, Rico Henry 7, Mads Roerslev 7, Pontus Jansson 7, Ben Mee 8, Christian Norgaard 7, Mathias Jensen 8, Bryan Mbeumo 7, Josh Dasilva 8, Ivan Toney 8.
Register: Vitaly Janelt 6, Shandon Baptiste 6, Yoane Wissa 6, Frank Onyeka 6, Mads Bech Sorensen 6.

Manchester United: David de Gea 3, Diogo Dalot 4, Luke Shaw 3, Harry Maguire 3, Lisandro Martinez 4, Fred 4, Christian Eriksen 5, Bruno Fernandes 4, Jadon Sancho 4, Marcus Rashford 4, Cristiano Ronaldo 5.
Register: Tyrell Malacia 5, Raphael Varane 5, Scott McTominay 5, Anthony Elanga 5, Van de Beek 5.

Best and worst performers

BEST: Mathias Jensen, Brentford

There are plenty of Brentford performances that deserve credit but Jensen, who has one goal and one assist, embodies Frank’s pace of work, combat and quality on the team.

THE WORST: David De Gea, Manchester United

The Spaniard made two brilliant mistakes to allow Brentford to score two early but the United team was left in disarray after such a disastrous performance.

Outstanding and remarkable moments

Man United’s start to the Premier League season is going from bad to worse as they are bottom of the table and take on Liverpool.

Who considers 4-0 as the break score?

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– US Premier League (@PLinUSA) August 13, 2022

Erik ten Hag has only managed Manchester United for two games, and faces an uphill battle to deliver results.

After the game: What the manager, the players say

“Honestly, I think I lost three points today for my team. It was a poor performance on my own. Of course after the first and second mistake, the team played really well. hard. It was a bad day.” – Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea

Key stats (powered by ESPN Stats & Info)

• This is only the third time Man United have conceded four goals at halftime in Premier League history, the most recent being a 5-0 loss to Liverpool in the 2021-22 season and a 6-1 loss to Tottenham in the season. 2020-21. .

Next

Brentford: They walk side by side to get promoted Fulham on 20 August before facing League Two’s Colchester United on 23 August in the second round of the Carabao Cup, followed by a home game against Frank Lampard’s Everton on August 27 in the Premier League.

Manchester United: Erik ten Hag’s side host last year’s Premier League runners-up Liverpool on August 22 followed by visits Southampton on August 27th and Leicester City on September 1st.