Three issues we discovered from United's depressing defensive show within the dramatic draw in opposition to Brentford

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Manchester United traveled to the GTech Group Stadium to tackle Thomas Frank's Brentford in one other essential Premier League conflict.

United entered the sport following an emphatic FA Cup victory over Liverpool, which took the membership to the semi-finals of the competitors.

Eric ten Hag was boosted by one or two returns, with gamers like Lisandro Martínez and Casemiro getting back from damage. Each gamers have been named on the bench.

Nevertheless, the United boss named an unchanged XI from the group that beat Liverpool. Andre Onana opened the scoring with a defensive 4 of Diogo Dalot, Raphael Varane, Victor Lindelof and Aaron Wan-Bissaka forward of him.

Kobi Manu was deemed match sufficient to begin after his availability for the match was unsure because of sickness.

The Carrington Academy graduate was positioned in midfield subsequent to Scott McTominay and captain Bruno Fernandes.

Rasmus Hjolund led the attacking trio which additionally included Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes. Listed below are three issues we discovered from Manchester United's 1-1 draw in opposition to Brentford.

Poor efficiency within the first half

United have been disappointing within the first 45 appearances and Brentford have been undoubtedly the dominant drive.

Ten Haag's males have been fortunate to get into the tunnel with the rating nonetheless tied. The Bees created many of the clear-cut probabilities and will need to have felt unfortunate to not seize one or two earlier than half-time.

Ivan Toney had an opportunity to interrupt the impasse however thankfully for United, his effort hit the put up. A superb move from Yoan Visa break up the Crimson Devils' backline with ridiculous ease. Tony received on the top of it and took a shot however couldn't discover the again of the web.

The English striker was good within the first half and prompted numerous issues for the United backline. In one other instance, Toney acquired the ball in transition and simply beat Lindelof. The Brentford man aimed it onto his left foot however was unable to hit the goal.

Brentford additionally impressed Upwork with an tried header end after a nook kick from one in every of their gamers.

To focus on how weak United have been in that early interval, the group managed solely seven touches within the opposition field in comparison with Brentford's 34 touches.

The West London group additionally took 14 photographs on Onana's objective. United managed solely three photographs however none challenged Mark Flekken, who had little to do.

One other worrying factor about United was how inconsistent their play was. Ten Hag's stars struggled to carry the ball, preserve possession and preserve strain.

Brentford have been the stronger and extra aggressive in duels. He was first in many of the first and second balls.

The midfield was disorganized and at instances, younger Manu discovered himself remoted and dealing with too many rival gamers. The 18-year-old was one of many few United gamers to attempt to generate any small quantity of management or constructive affect on proceedings.

On the very least, it may be mentioned that United's assault was ineffective. Rashford and Garnacho have been principally nameless and lacked any inspiration.

Aside from Rashford's speculative long-range effort in the direction of the top of the half, the 2 wingers didn't actually do a lot collectively.

Höglund got here throughout as a really depressed and lonely man and this was no shock. The goalscorer had nothing to bounce off of and hardly any probabilities have been created for him.

Whereas Ten Hag would have been relieved that his group didn’t concede regardless of being on the again foot for many of the first half, the Dutchman – like most followers – would have been deeply involved by what he noticed.

Varane and Lindelof's accidents are a matter of concern

The one personnel change made by Ten Hag after the break was to herald Harry Maguire for Warren.

At one level within the first half, Vern collided with Tony and it seems he didn’t come out of the collision unhurt.

Toney was getting ready for a shot, prompting Varane to instantly intervene with an enormous sort out that arguably stopped United from getting a shot.

Nevertheless, this got here at some private expense. The World Cup winner was clearly in ache as he fell to the bottom and writhed in ache and discomfort.

Initially, it appeared the whole lot was fantastic, however it was telling that Vereen didn’t come on for the second half, despite the fact that he was higher between himself and Lindelof.

Warren was important aerially and helped stop Brenford from breaking United down by way of his extremely harmful set-piece routines.

United's troubles worsened as Lindelof additionally went off with a non-contact damage within the 67th minute. The Swede was straining his hamstring and was unable to progress.

Lindelof was changed by Martínez, who made his first look for United in eight weeks.

Ought to Lindelof and Warren be sidelined for an prolonged time frame, it will be a serious blow to Ten Hag, who’ve needed to take care of most of their key stars struggling bodily setbacks all through the season and lacking a number of video games.

If each Varane and Lindelof are dominated out, United's defensive division shall be largely decimated, leaving Maguire, Martínez and Willie Kambwala as the one match and centre-backs obtainable for the supervisor to pick. Jonny Evans can be out and was not on the bench in opposition to Brentford.

Questions stay over Ten Haag's long-term suitability

United's efficiency versus Brentford raised extra questions on Ten Hag's long-term tenure as United boss quite than answering the questions that already existed.

The 20-time English champions appeared to have accomplished the final word smash-and-grab within the remaining moments of the match when substitute Mason Mount headed the ball into the again of the web.

Nevertheless, Brentford got here again into it and ensured the spoils have been divided between each groups.

A momentary lapse of focus within the field allowed Toni to cut-back to an unmarked Kristoffer Ajer, who made no mistake from shut vary.

Not many would declare that Brentford have been undeserving of their award. A win would in all probability have prevented Ten Hag from coming underneath strain, however a draw virtually actually ensures the Dutchman shall be subjected to scrutiny.

It has been advised that United's new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his INEOS group might search a managerial alternative.

It’s believed that Ratcliffe will not be impressed with the work carried out by Ten Hag this season and the efficiency the group put in on the GTech Group Stadium will hardly assist the 53-year-old coach retain the Outdated Trafford scorching seat.

United's poor efficiency continued for the remainder of the sport and it was surprising that Ten Hag and his gamers had no concept the right way to flip the state of affairs of their favor earlier than Mount scored.

Thomas Frank gave his counterpart within the dugout a tactical education and United have been extraordinarily fortunate to even get a couple of factors.

Toni and Wissa continued to wreak havoc for United and it was a shock neither of them discovered the again of the web.

To place United's poor efficiency into context, the 20-time English champions conceded extra photographs in opposition to Brentford than Manchester Metropolis on the Etihad. Not like Metropolis who’re preventing for the title, Brentford are aiming to keep away from being dragged right into a relegation scrap.

United now face extra photographs at 2024 than another Premier League membership.

Most of Ten Hag's selections – besides the mount – had no impact. Antony was the primary to interchange Garnacho, who had probably one in every of his worst video games in a United shirt.

Casemiro and Mason Mount got here on for Manu and Rashford respectively.

It's simple to see why Ratcliffe and his colleagues are contemplating parting methods with Ten Hag. Video games like this completely spotlight why a powerful case should be made for a guard change within the dugout.

The present United boss should still have the power to show the state of affairs round however time is operating out.

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