Scott McTominay’s introduction into the game proved to be Manchester United’s last desperate throw of the dice as they were on the verge of suffering their third home defeat in a week, a rare occurrence not seen since 1979. Facing a single-goal deficit against a formidable Brentford side, United’s manager, Ten Hag, had seemingly run out of options.
McTominay and Maguire: Unexpected Saviors
The summer had the potential to dramatically alter the fate of McTominay and Harry Maguire, who played a pivotal role by providing the crucial assist for McTominay’s winning goal. Both players were on the brink of leaving United. In particular, West Ham was strongly linked with a move for McTominay, but Ten Hag confirmed that United’s valuation had not been met. The dramatic turn of events in the final four minutes, during which United trailed in stoppage time but ended up winning, highlighted the importance of McTominay’s commitment to the club.
“McTominay is Manchester United in his heart,” stated Ten Hag. “He is playing for the badge and gives his life. When you are coming on and giving this to the team, it tells a lot.”
A Mixed Victory Amidst Lingering Issues
While the euphoric scenes and lap of honor following the final whistle were a stark contrast to what could have transpired, the victory cannot overshadow the lingering issues that have plagued Manchester United. The team’s performance has been subpar compared to their earlier successes, with key individuals such as Marcus Rashford and Casemiro struggling to perform at their best. Rashford, with just one goal to his name all season, was replaced during the game, and Casemiro was substituted at half-time after contributing to Brentford’s goal through a series of errors.
With Manchester City as their next league opponents at Old Trafford, there is apprehension about the challenges that lie ahead. Ten Hag, while acknowledging the need for improvement, hopes that this win can serve as a reset for the entire campaign.
“In football, it’s eat or get eaten,” he emphasized. “Our players are too good to act like this. It has to be a turning point but also a restart because we have to get into higher levels.”
