Man Utd vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League result and final score as ...
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Substitute Scott McTominay struck twice deep into stoppage time to snatch a 2-1 win for Manchester United over Brentford in a thrilling end to their Premier League clash at Old Trafford on Saturday.
United’s defensive frailties were exposed in the 26th minute when Casemiro gave the ball away and makeshift left back Victor Lindelof failed to clear, allowing Mathias Jensen to slot the ball under the body of keeper Andre Onana whoshould have saved it comfortably.
United, beaten twice at home in the last week, created plenty of scoring opportunities, many of them from distance, in the second half, but put precious few on target until McTominay rattled home the equaliser after a goalmouth scramble in the 93rd minute.
The Scot netted again in the seventh minute of stoppage time to send the home fans wild and grab all three points for his side who climbed to ninth in the table on 12 points, five ahead of 14th-placed Brentford.
Scott McTominay may have been summoned more in desperation than inspiration. Erik ten Hag had already tried four other substitutes, with precious little impact. He had taken off Marcus Rashford, for the third game in a row. He had brought off a defender for a striker. He had hauled Casemiro off at half-time.
And then, in the 87th minute, in a last throw of the dice, he swapped his remaining defensive midfielders. Exit Sofyan Amrabat, enter McTominay. It may prove the best substitution Ten Hag will ever make as United manager.
Because, 10 minutes later, McTominay was charging, his teammates frantically trying to catch him as Old Trafford, perhaps preparing the boos, erupted. Like a one-man Sheringham and Solskjaer, McTominay had scored twice in injury-time, transforming defeat into victory, a potential mutiny into jubilation.
FULL REPORT:
Karl Matchett7 October 2023 17:32
We hope you've enjoyed our coverage of the most dramatic of stoppage-time turnarounds. It's goodbye from us, and we'll see you next time!
The United players stay out to soak up the atmosphere at Old Trafford, where McTominay has played the role of super-sub to fire the Red Devils to a potentially season-defining result. They move up to ninth in the Premier League table with four wins and four losses this term, while Brentford slump to 14th. Frank's men are now winless in eight games across all competitions.
Wow. What a difference four minutes can make. United were starring down the barrel of a third successive home defeat in the Premier League, one which may have had huge implications for Ten Hag's future, after Onana failed to keep Jensen's shot out in the first half. However, McTominay's late introduction proved the turning point, with the Scot levelling in the 93rd minute with a close-range volley, before beating Strakosha with a 97th-minute header to provoke wild celebrations. It's absolutely gutting for Brentford, but what a relief for United!
FULL-TIME: MANCHESTER UNITED 2-1 BRENTFORD.
Goal Scott Francis McTominay
STRAIGHT AT THE GOALKEEPER! Brentford are clinging onto their point now as Pinnock blocks Eriksen's cross, but it drops straight to Martial. He shoots first-time, but it's too close to Strakosha!
There's a quick VAR check to ascertain whether Garnacho kept the ball in play on the left wing, but it's soon cleared! The goal stands, and Old Trafford sense another potential twist to come...
'You're getting sacked in the morning' is the chant from the Brentford fans, who are taunting Ten Hag. His job might not be in any imminent danger, but he'll know how important these next four minutes are.
Goal Scott Francis McTominay
