3️⃣ TALKING POINTS AS BRENTFORD CRUSH MANCHESTER UNITED

 

BEES DEMOLISH RED DEVILS 

3 TALKING POINTS FROM BRENTFORD 4-0 MANCHESTER UNITED

-Samarth Purohit and Mitansh Kagalwala


Gameweek 2 of the EPL promised action and drama, and it delivered on both. The week saw several upsets, with both Manchester United and Liverpool having sub-par games and dropping points. United, in particular, continued their disastrous start to the season with an awful performance away to Brentford, losing 4-0 on a torturous afternoon. Two individual errors from David De Gea early in the game gave Brentford a 2-0 lead, which was quickly doubled by halftime, as United struggled to get back into the game. This result, coupled with the 2-1 loss to Brighton on the opening matchday, sees the Red Devils at the bottom of the table. A surprising sight, given how United performed in pre-season. Here’s what we made of it:


Photo Via: Manchester Evening News

(L to R) Manchester Utd players' Christian Eriksen, Fred, Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes

 


1.       A Mess of Epic Proportions: At the end of last season, it was clear United’s squad had some huge gaping holes they needed to fill. A right back, striker, winger, and at least one new midfielder were needed the most urgently. We are now nearing the end of the transfer window, two games in, and United are yet to fill all of those positions. The Frenkie De Jong saga has pulled on needlessly, with the player very clearly not keen on joining the Red Devils. There have been no strong links to either a right back or a defensive midfielder, while United have been linked with players such as Adrien Rabiot and Mauro Icardi, who do not really elevate the level of the squad. Cristiano Ronaldo has requested to leave, which would leave United with an out-of-form Marcus Rashford and an injured Anthony Martial as their only strikers. United have signed Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez; however, Martinez has looked out of his depth in the first two games, while Malacia and Eriksen play in positions which are already occupied. In an era where big clubs are picking up wonderkids in all positions imaginable, the fact that United’s recruitment team’s only suggestions are world-beaters who cost an arm and a leg, or stars of the past, must be questioned.

2.       Erik Ten Hag: The appointment of the Dutch manager, who lead an Ajax side comprised of youngsters to the UCL semi-final in recent years, had brought much fanfare and hope for the coming season. Indeed, United fulfilled that hope in pre-season playing some wonderful football. Come the 2nd gameweek, however, all that has already been forgotten. Two losses in two games, with United languishing in 20th. Given the short time span, terrible recruitment, awful dressing room atmosphere and the poor attitude of the players, not much blame can be put on Ten Hag’s shoulders, but it is fair that he has to carry some of it. The decision to field a midfield of Fred, Eriksen (as a 6!) and Bruno Fernandes was questionable, given its obvious defensive frailties. So too was choosing a centre-back pairing of Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, in favour of Raphael Varane, given the highly physical nature of Brentford’s forwards. Given David De Gea’s terrible form this season and his drop-off last season, the decision to send Dean Henderson on loan to Nottingham Forest, can also be scrutinized. In his tenure at United, Ten Hag has not been successful in stamping his authority on the squad, nor at imposing his style of play, however, more time is needed to truly judge whether he is the one to take United forward. Nevertheless, Liverpool in gameweek 3, coming off the back of such a terrible loss, is not something Ten Hag will be looking forward to.

3.       Brentford: Most of the headlines will be regarding United’s terrible performance, but that must not take away credit from the excellent performance put on by the Brentford players. The defence was excellent, shutting down United’s forwards with ease. New signing Ben Mee, in particular, was exemplary, completely closing down United’s attack along with Pontus Jansson, and scoring at the other end to complete an excellent home debut. The midfield trio of Christian Norgaard, Josh Dasilva and Mathias Jensen were brilliant, completely outclassing United’s midfield and dominating the game from start to finish. Bryan Mbuemo and Ivan Toney bullied United’s defence into submission, with their work rate especially excellent. An overall brilliant performance from the Bees in front of their home fans, one which manager Thomas Frank can be especially happy with.

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