Is McTominay late late rescue act the spark Manchester United craved?
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 07: Scott McTominay of Manchester United celebrates following their sides victory after the Premier League match between Manchester United and Brentford FC at Old Trafford on October 07, 2023 in Manchester, England. (Photo by Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Super sub Scott McTominay scored a dramatic added time double to pull Manchester United out of their early-season crisis.
Mathias Jensen's 26th minute goal looked as it would be enough to give Brentford their first victory at Old Trafford since 1937 and intensify the pressure on Reds boss Eric Ten Hag.
But McTominay turned out to be Ten Hag and United's saviour in a sensational ending to the game.
First he turned the ball home from fellow sub Alejandro Garnach's cross three minutes into added time and then headed home Harry Maguire's flick on from Bruno Fernandes long ball to give United much-needed victory.
They were facing their seventh defeat in 11 games in all competitions as well as a third home defeat on the trot for the first time since 1962.
Ten Hag made two changes in defence with Maguire coming in for his first Premier League start of the season while Jonny Evans started his second game since returning to the club.
But for the fourth Premier League home game running United fell behind and thanks to some stubborn defending by Brentford they could not find a way back into the game - until McTominay's late, late intervention.
United have only themselves to blame for the goal after a series of calamitous errors.
Casemiro was the first culprit, giving the ball away in midfield to spark a swift Brentford counter attack. Victor Lindelof had a chance to end the danger but fired his clearance straight to Yoane Wissa who set up Jensen. And Andre Onana should have saved it. He got his hands to the half-fit shot but it still bobbled into the net.
United huffed and puffed but struggled to find tempo and rhythm, not helped by frequently giving the ball away and a numerous free-kicks.
Their only shot on target in the first half came from Marcus Rashford, his effort saved at the second attempt by Thomas Strakosha.
Christian Eriksen was sent on at the break for Casemiro and United improved without being able to find their way through a disciplined and well-organisde came close to equalising with powerful shot from 25 yards that Strakosha parried but no United player was following up to cash in on the loose ball.
At the other end Dalot had to clear off his line after Norgaard had turned Collins' header towards the goal.
Ten Hag dragged off Mount and Rashford and sent on Anthony and Garnacho in a bid to crack open Brentford's defence. And later Anthony Martial replaced Lindelof as United went for broke.
Diogo Dalot, Rasmus Hojland and skipper Fernandes (twice) went close with long shots but Brentford came closest when Onana produced a spectacular tip over save from sub Neal Maupay.
United's frustration continued when they finally had the ball in the net - via Brentford defender Kristoffer Ajer - but Martial was flagged offside, a decision confirmed by the VAR.
McTominay was a last throw of the dice by Ten Hag when he was sent on for Sofyan Amrabat in the 87th minute. But it paid off with his remarkable double that sparked memories of so many late United comebacks in Sir Alex Ferguson's time as manager.
Onana 6; Dalot 6, Maguire 7, Evans 7, Lindelof 6 (Martial 72, 5); Casemiro 5 (Eriksen 46, 6), Amrabat 6 (McTominay 87,9); Fernandes 7, Mount 5 (Anthony 62, 7), Rashford 5 (Garnacho 62, 7); Hojland 7.
Unused subs: Altay (GK), Pellstri, Van Der Beek, Hannibal.
Goals: McTominay 93 and 96.
Strakosha 6; Collins 6, Pinnock 6, Ajer 6; Roerslev 6, Jensen 7 (Ghoddos 83, 5), Norgaard 6, Janelt 6 (Onyeka 70, 5), Hickey 6; Mbeumo 6, Wissa 6 (Maupay 70, 5) Unused subs: Balcombe (GK), Zanka, Yarmoliuk, Kim, Olakigbe, Brierley.
Goal; Jensen 26.
Booked: Hickey, Norgaard.
Referee: Andrew Madley 7
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
