Manchester United had a tough evening at the Gtech Community Stadium when they took on Brentford in a difficult, bruising encounter. It ended 1-1 after late drama.. Erik ten Hag sent out the same starting XI that beat Liverpool so famously in the FA Cup a fortnight ago, but this was anything but a similar performance. Instead of the energy and attacking enthusiasm, United were pushed back by a Brentford side struggling near the bottom of the table.. Here’s how the players rated:. Andre Onana. His direct kicking did not work but he made an excellent double save early in the second half to keep the scoreline 0-0 and prompt Erik ten Hag to celebrate. 8. Diogo Dalot. Started sloppily and not at the level of his pre-internationals form all night. Had little help in front of him from starting and substitute wingers. 5. Raphael Varane. United’s best player in the first half and his positioning thwarted a couple of Brentford opportunities. But he succumbed to another injury and came off at the pause. 6. Victor Lindelof. Was palpably uncomfortable up against the imposing Ivan Toney. Made one key intervention but was possibly relieved when he was forced off injured. 5. Aaron Wan-Bissaka. Looked like what he was: a right back at left back. His positioning was consistently errant and offered Brentford ample encouragement. Somehow lasted the whole game. 2. Kobbie Mainoo. Started decently but faded in the first half as Brentford got a foothold and could have done with Casemiro next to him. 5. Scott McTominay. A passenger for 45 minutes in a game that he should not have started. Brentford were not as obliging as Liverpool were against McTominay. 2. Alejandro Garnacho. Did not get into the game and had a hissy fit when he failed to get the ball off Wan-Bissaka. Came off early in the second half for Antony. 4. Bruno Fernandes. A subdued performance after he went a week without playing to get extra rest. Might now have wished he had travelled to Slovenia with Portugal. 4. Marcus Rashford. Had United’s only attempt on target in the first half but his errant touch into touch typified their performance and he was seldom a threat. 3. Rasmus Hojlund. Anonymous against Brentford’s back three in the first half. Had a great chance to make it 1-0 early in the second but brilliantly denied by Mark Flekken. 4. Subs. Harry Maguire. Beefed up United’s backline but they were no more dominant. 6. Antony. Took an age to get on the ball and when he did he went close with a curling shot. 6. Lisandro Martinez. Returned from an eight-week lay-off. 6. Casemiro. Gave away a foul just outside the area. Then assisted Mount. 7. Mason Mount. Almost the matchwinner. 8. Manager. Mistakenly named an unchanged side when he had the options to field a better and more balanced XI. Did not make a tactical substitution at the interval when one was needed. His changes eventually had an impact. 6
