'He did more than anyone' - national media make same Manchester United point after Brentford win

Manchester United returned to Premier League action in the best way as they recorded their third win of the season.

Erik ten Hag’s side hosted Brentford at Old Trafford on Saturday afternoon, but they had to do things the hard way in the 2-1 win. That’s because United found themselves 1-0 down going into the half time break.

The Brentford goal had some controversy with it coming after Matthijs de Ligt was forced to get treatment for a cut on his head for a third time in the game in first half stoppage time. Thomas Frank's side made the most of the one-man advantage, with Ethan Pinnock putting them ahead. But that lead wouldn’t last too long.

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Just two minutes after the restart, Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho combined to equalise for United. 15 minutes later, United's winner came through Rasmus Hojlund.

Ten Hag will be hoping that the win kickstarts his side's season after a disappointing campaign so far. In attendance at Old Trafford were several members of the national media, who have since delivered their verdict - and one player in particular stood out for them.

'As a snapshot of Rashford’s hunger'

James Ducker of The Telegraph wrote: “The game was in the third of seven minutes of stoppage time and there was Marcus Rashford running back towards his own goal, holding off Nathan Collins before cleverly playing the ball off the Brentford defender to win his team a throw-in and alleviate the pressure.

“A minute later, the Manchester United striker was down near his own corner flag, intercepting a pass and clearing the ball high into the stands. Then, in almost the next breath, he was striding towards Brentford’s penalty area and slipping a pass in behind for Bruno Fernandes, whose angled shot was smothered at the near post.

“As a snapshot of Rashford’s hunger, energy and work rate on an afternoon when he did more than anyone in a red shirt to inspire United from a goal down at half-time to victory in a game they and manager Erik ten Hag simply had to win, it was fitting.”

'A compendium of bursts, zigzag passing and menace'

Jamie Jackson of The Guardian wrote: “Rasmus Højlund’s winner was a strike of certifiable skill and brings a calmer vibe to Erik ten Hag and his troubled Manchester United after they claimed three points for the first time since the 3-0 defeat of Southampton in mid-September.

“On 62 minutes Brentford were pinned back by their right corner flag. The ball was won, Christian Eriksen slid a pass to Bruno Fernandes, and his no-look flick to Højlund was as sweet as the No 9’s deft dink over Mark Flekken as Brentford’s goalkeeper went to ground…

“…Rashford was United’s standout performer, a compendium of bursts, zigzag passing and menace.”

'Ten Hag deserves plenty of credit'

Oliver Holt of the Daily Mail wrote: “But Ten Hag deserves plenty of credit for what happened next. Instead of crumbling, United were a team transformed in the second half. They overwhelmed Brentford for much of it and both Alejandro Garnacho, who scored a sublime equaliser in the 2-1 win, and Marcus Rashford were outstanding.

“Rasmus Hojlund scored a brilliant winner, the final whistle was met with a huge roar of relief from the Old Trafford crowd and suddenly, the prospect of facing a salivating Jose Mourinho in Istanbul on Thursday when United meet his Fenerbahce side in the Europa League does not hold quite so many fears.”

'He was the spark that ignited Ten Hag's team'

Adam Bate of Sky Sports wrote: “At half-time, with Southampton having already scored twice against Leicester, no team in the Premier League had scored fewer goals than Manchester United at that stage. The response from the team's young forwards was emphatic early in the second half.

“Rashford and Garnacho combining for the equaliser, Hojlund's expert finish completing the turnaround, this was exactly what the Old Trafford crowd wanted to see. The Argentinian winger was the player of the match, tormenting Sepp van den Berg.

“It was not that everything he tried came off, it was no polished performance. But his belief, his willingness to run with and without the ball, playing with purpose, was exactly what the situation required. He was the spark that ignited Ten Hag's team in this game.”

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