Man United 2-1 Brentford PLAYER RATINGS: Who was ‘unflappable at the heart of the hosts’ defence’? Who ‘grew into the game using his physical presence’? And who had a ‘torrid time’ for the visitors?

Erik ten Hag looks set to survive another day as Manchester United manager as his side came from behind to secure a much-needed victory against Brentford.

The Bees have made a habit of scoring early in recent weeks but United’s backline held firm throughout much of the opening 45 minutes before Ethan Pinnock fired them in front on the brink of the interval.

United desperately needed a response in the second-half at Old Trafford and got an emphatic one in the form of goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.

The result sees the club secure their third Premier League victory of the campaign but who ‘still isn’t having an impact?’ and which star’s performance was ‘typical of his struggles this season’?

Mail Sport’s Chris Wheeler was present at the ground to offer his expert assessment of both teams’ performance.

Manchester United  

ANDRE ONANA 6.5 – Comfortable save from Norgaard in the first half but could do little about the goal from close-range.

DIOGO DALOT 6 – Back on the right-hand side where he is more comfortable after struggling on the left. Came close to a goal in the 69th minute but Flekken saved one-on-one.

MATTHIJS DE LIGT 7 – Soldiered on after suffering a nasty head cut after colliding with Schade’s knee early on, and was receiving treatment for the third time when Pinnock headed Brentford in front.

JONNY EVANS 6.5 – Kept his place after a starring role at Villa last time out, and the veteran defender was unflappable at the heart of United’s defence again.

LISANDRO MARTINEZ 7 – Deployed at left-back for the key match-up with Mbeumo and handled Brentford’s dangerman well with a little help from his teammates.

CASEMIRO 6 – Came back in for the injured Mainoo but still isn’t having the impact you would expect from a player of his pedigree. Picked up an injury to his right calf towards the end.

CHRISTIAN ERIKSEN 6.5 – The in-form United midfielder faced his old club and was grateful that the referee had awarded a foul when he blazed over with only the keeper to beat.

ALEJANDRO GARNACHO 8 – United’s main threat again, he didn’t have his shooting boots on in the first half but made no mistake with a superb volley within two minutes of the restart.

BRUNO FERNANDES 6.5 – A volley high into the Stretford End was typical of of his struggles this season, but produced a lovely flick to set up Hojlund for the second goal.

MARCUS RASHFORD 6.5 – Quiet in the first half but better in the second, like most United players, and set up the equaliser for Garnacho with an excellent pass.

RASMUS HOJLUND 7 – Grew into the game using his physical presence. Having fired wide with one low effort, he scored United’s second with a lovely dink over Flekken.

Subs: Bayindir, Lindelof (for Evans 89), Mazraoui (for Garnacho 90+1), Zirkzee (for Hojlund 74, 5.5), Diallo, Antony, Ugarte (for Casemiro 88), Wheatley, J Fletcher

Manager: Erik ten Hag 7 – This was shaping up to be another bad day for the Dutchman, but whatever he said at half-time worked.

Brentford

MARK FLEKKEN 6 – Survived an early scare when he scooped off the line after spilling Martinez’s header. Couple of smart saves from Garnacho but no chance with the goals.

SEPP VAN DEN BERG 5 – Found himself up against Garnacho rather than Rashford, and had a torrid time against the pace and energy of the Argentina winger.

NATHAN COLLINS 6.5 – Absorbing physical battle with Hojlund. Started off well for Collins but became increasingly tougher as United got the upper hand.

ETHAN PINNOCK 7 – Scored for the second game in a row, powering in a header from Damsgaard’s corner in first-half injury-time. Great finish.

KRISTOFFER AJER 5.5 – Kept Rashford relatively quiet in the first half but it was a different story after the interval as the tide turned against the visitors.

VITALY JANELT 6 – Did very little wrong for 75 minutes but replaced by Yarmoliuk as Brentford chased a point.

CHRISTIAN NORGAARD 6 – Tested Onana with a 20-yard effort in a first half low on chances. Increasingly overrun in the second half as United seized control.

BRYAN MBEUMO 5 – Will have fancied his chances of adding to his six league goals against a United team without a recognised left-back, but only threatened in brief moments.

MIKKEL DAMSGAARD 6 – Inviting corner for Pinnock to head the visitors in front but didn’t have as much impact on the game as he would like.

KEANE LEWIS-POTTER 5 – Struggled to get into the game and first player replaced when Wissa made his return for Brentford in the 66th minute.

KEVIN SCHADE 6.5 – A headache for United’s defenders – not just De Ligt – but couldn’t connect with a great early chance in front of goal.

Subs: Valdimarsson, Wissa (for Lewis-Potter 66, 6) Carvalho (for Schade 74, 6), Mee, Yarmoliuk (for Janelt 75, 6), Meghoma, Konak, Trevitt, Roerslev (for Van den Berg 87)

Manager: Thomas Frank 6 – will be disappointed his team couldn’t hold onto the lead longer as United turned the tables after half-time.