Manchester United coach Erik Ten Hag says the Red Devils can’t keep repeating mistakes after they narrowly escaped home defeat and snatched a dramatic 2-1 win over Brentford in the Premier League on Saturday, October 7 at Old Trafford.
Danish midfielder Mathias Jensen scored the first goal of the game for The Bees in the 26th minute. United laboured for a long duration of the game before Scott McTominay volleyed home an equaliser in the 93rd minute.
Just four minutes later, still in stoppage time, McTominay who appeared to be in insanely good form scored the winner for the hosts from a Harry Maguire assist.
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United have endured a tumultuous season and the win is their first victory in the Premier League since their 1-0 win over Burnley on September 23 at Turf Moor.
In an interview with Manutd.com, Ten Hag said they can’t carelessly give goals away anymore.
“This must be the turning point. This reflects our season so far from the start of a game. It has to be that you believe and you see the fans believe: they are sticking together. They are behind us and they kept us going. But then we have a plan and that is the big compliment for the team. They kept the plan. They kept switching. And from there on in the right moment, you bring the ball into the box. And of course, we had to make and bring more players in the box. And I think that’s what we did the last 30 minutes and then you get rewarded in the end,” Ten Hag said.
“It can always be better, but it can’t happen that you give a goal and follow facts and we will talk about the result and I think there were some good spells, I’m sure.”
“But I look back, I have seen some good spells for good stretches also with tempo in the game, with creating chances and controlling the game over a long period.
“Definitely, but once again when you give so easily a goal away, we can’t do it at our level. We have to do better and you have to take more responsibility and you have to be accountable because otherwise it’s difficult to win games.
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“I think the fans see that everyone is giving his best. But you have to do it always and we can’t switch off in moments in the game. So we have to be more consistent in the attitude and that approach. And when we get that, I’m sure this team will get success.”
McTominay’s heroics as an 87th-minute substitute have earned him a place in the history books. According to Opta Analyst, the Scotland midfielder is now the first player to score two goals inside time added on to 90 minutes for stoppages in a Premier League game since Steven Bergwijn for Tottenham in January 2022.
Manchester United are known for late winners and dramatic comebacks, and the football fraternity can recall that the Red Devils’ most famous win was in the 1998-99 UEFA Champions League final when they scored two late goals to beat Bayern Munich 2-1.
Manchester United currently are 10th in the Premier League table with 12 points after eight games this season. The Red Devils will face Sheffield United on Saturday, October 21 at Bramall Lane.
By Toju Sote
