Premier League: McTominay rescues Manchester United
Manchester United 2 - 1 Brentford
Manchester United pulled off a stunning comeback victory against Brentford at Old Trafford, with Scott McTominay emerging as the hero in stoppage time.
Initially, it seemed like Manchester United might suffer their third consecutive home league defeat for the first time since 1979, all thanks to Mathias Jensen's first-half goal.
McTominay was a late substitute, coming on with only three minutes left on the clock as manager Erik ten Hag desperately searched for a lifeline. And the Scottish midfielder delivered spectacularly. He displayed impeccable control before slamming the ball into the net when Kristoffer Ajer mishandled a clearance inside his penalty area for the first goal.
Then, following a save from Anthony Martial's low shot by Thomas Strakosha, McTominay reacted swiftly to a Harry Maguire flick and netted the priceless second goal.
A turning point for Manchester United?
The home fans continued their jubilation long after the final whistle, with the team taking a lap of honour. While it might have seemed a bit over the top, given the circumstances, their exuberance was completely understandable.
The impact of McTominay's double on United's morale during the international break cannot be overstated. Both Maguire and the midfielder could have left Old Trafford in the summer, making it ironic that they teamed up to rescue the team from what looked like a dire situation under Ten Hag.
This victory not only avoided a repeat of the 1977 statistic but also prevented three home defeats in a week against opponents whom most expected United to handle comfortably. It provided a much-needed respite from a challenging period.
However, once the excitement subsides, Ten Hag will be aware that there's plenty of work ahead to mould United into the cohesive unit they were last season.
Despair for Brentford fans
👏 Thank you for your outstanding support this afternoon
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) October 7, 2023
Have a safe journey home pic.twitter.com/4fQwbtxfIx
Even as Brentford fans celebrated Jensen's opening goal, they couldn't help but be cautious. Before the dramatic finish, Brentford had been known for dropping points from winning positions more than any other top-flight team. Surprisingly, until the last-minute drama, they appeared more likely to extend their lead rather than concede an equalizer.
Both Neal Maupay and Christian Norgaard had their attempts thwarted by United goalkeeper Andre Onana, who hadn't covered himself in glory with the earlier Brentford goal.
The chaotic sequence leading to Brentford's goal began with Casemiro giving the ball away deep inside his own half, a costly mistake considering the lack of pressure from Brentford.
For so long, it looked like it was enough to secure Brentford their first Old Trafford win since 1937. McTominay had other ideas.
"Best day at Old Trafford for ages..."
We spoke to several Manchester United fans after the match. Liam, a Season Ticket holder, said: "That was the best day at Old Trafford for ages. That dramatic ending to the match gave us all such an incredible feeling. The hero on the day deserves his accolades. He has been through an awful lot."
This video from Darren A Daly - YouTube sums up the feeling of all United fans today.
Premier League news and stories: 2023/2024 (eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com)
