Manchester United's Scott McTominay inspired by Beckham documentary
WINNER: Manchester United's Scott McTominay scores the winning goal against Brentford at Old Trafford. Pic: Martin Rickett/PA Wire
Eric Ten Hag hopes this dramatic late victory will prove a turning point in Manchester United's troubled season but the general consensus at Old Trafford was that it will simply paper over the cracks.
Stoppage time hero Scott McTominay revealed afterwards he had taken inspiration from watching the David Beckham Netflix series.
It prompted the thought that maybe ten Hag should make his entire squad watch the documentaries charting Beckham's career- and United's glory days under Sir Alex Ferguson - together in the hope of improving current performances.
For 93 minutes it was a repeat of the Crystal Palace defeat the week before with United toiling to break down a stubborn and well-organised Brentford team and but for McTominay's late heroics they would have slipped to a third successive home setback in a week and a seventh loss in 11 games in all competitions this season.
Ten Hag was hugely relieved but not fooled. He know there needs to be a massive improvement, individually and collectively, if they are to have any hope of repeating last season's top four finish in the Premier League.
"They know how far they have to go to get results," he said. "It can’t be easy going and in football, it’s a case of eat or get eaten. Too many times in the first half of the season we have got eaten by opponents who are more hungry, and it can’t be like that. It has to go away.
"Every player, every second he is on the pitch, has to deliver that. That is the demand and the standard. When you do that, as you saw last season, you get a determined team. We were not always determined on every occasion in games and you get hammered for it. This has to change."
Too many players are performing well below par. Marcus Rashford is a shadow of the striker who scored 30 goals last season, Mason Mount has made no discernible impact since his summer move from Chelsea, Casemiro is not longer the dominant midfield force he was, while goalkeeper Andre Onana continues to make mistakes.
United continue to make it hard for themselves, especially at Old Trafford where they have conceded the first goal in four of their first five home league games.
Brentford's 26th minute opener was down to a succession of blunders. Casemiro gave the ball away with a lazy pass, Victor Lindelof miscued his attempted clearance, and Onana got his hand to Mathias Jensen's half-hit shot but couldn't keep it out.
"It was the same story again," bemoaned Ten Hag. "It was an easy give-away and it sums up our season. Two or three players made totally the wrong decision and you get punished in top level football when that happens.
"The players are too good to act like this. The spirit is good, the belief is good and the team is together - we have shown that. This has to be a turning point but also a restart because we have to get into higher levels. This has to be fuel for the dressing room. It is up to us."
United managed only one shot on target in a first half where they lacked rhythm and tempo. They improved after the break when Ten Hag used all five of his substitutes in the hope of making the breakthrough. But it was last roll of the dice, McTominay, who did the trick first with a close range shot in the 93rd minute and then with a header in the 97th to complete a sensational if unlikely comeback.
Never in their long history have United been behind after 93 minutes and gone on to snatch victory. This was classic 'Fergie time' stuff.
McTominay would have been sold in the summer if a club had matched United's valuation and has only played a bit-part this season. But the Scotland international represents the old never-say-die United spirit.
He said: "I was watching Beckham's documentary last night and it inspires you. Sir Alex was always looking at his watch - just never give up no matter the situation. At this football club it is demanded that you never throw the towel in. I have been brought up here since I was five, I know that better than anyone.
"Two goals at the death was incredible - that might be one of my favourite moments on a football pitch. I am just happy to be able to contribute and show people that I can do it.”
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.
: Strakosha 6; Collins 7, Pinnock 8, Ajer 7; Roerslev 6, Jensen 8 (Ghoddos 83, 5), Norgaard 7, Janelt 7 (Onyeka 70, 5), Hickey 6; Mbeumo 7, Wissa 7 (Maupay 70, 5).
Andrew Madley 7.
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