Brentford 1-2 Manchester United: Match Report - A Tale of Two Halves
Man United's season got off to a rocky start with a 2-1 loss to Brentford on the opening day. It was a classic case of two halves, with Brentford dominating the first and United looking much better in the second. Here's a breakdown of the match:
Brentford's Dominance
The Bees were flying from the get-go. They pressed high, moved the ball quickly, and created chance after chance. It was a lesson in how to start a season strong. United were totally out of sorts, looking disjointed and lacking any kind of cohesion.
The opening goal came in the 10th minute, with Josh Dasilva scoring from a tight angle. Then it got worse for United. Just 18 minutes in, a mix-up between David de Gea and Lisandro Martinez allowed Mathias Jensen to double the lead. You could see the frustration growing in the United faces.
A United Response
Erik ten Hag made some changes at halftime, and it seemed to do the trick. United came out much more energized, with their passing sharper and their press more effective. They pulled a goal back in the 90th minute through Christian Eriksen, but it was too little, too late.
United had a few good chances to equalize in the final minutes but couldn't find the back of the net. Brentford held on for a deserved victory.
The Takeaways
This game was a real eye-opener for United. They'll need to improve drastically if they want to challenge for trophies this season. For Brentford, it was a fantastic start to the campaign. Their high-energy, attacking style of play could be a real threat to teams all season.
Overall, a thrilling game that highlighted the gulf in class between these two sides. Man United need to get back to basics quickly, and Brentford will be looking to build on this impressive win.