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A Historic Collapse in West London
Erik ten Hag‘s Manchester United hit rock bottom in their Premier League clash against Brentford, suffering a humiliating 4-0 defeat that left fans and pundits questioning the team’s mentality, tactics, and recruitment. The Dutch manager didn’t hold back in his post-match comments, admitting he could have substituted his entire starting XI at halftime due to their “naïve” and error-strewn performance.
This wasn’t just a bad day at the office—it was one of the worst displays in United’s Premier League history. From David de Gea’s catastrophic goalkeeping errors to a disjointed midfield and a toothless attack, every department failed miserably.
How Brentford Exposed United’s Weaknesses
Defensive Shambles: De Gea & Martinez’s Horror Show
The game unraveled within 10 minutes when Josh Dasilva’s tame shot slipped under De Gea at the near post. The Spanish goalkeeper, once considered among the world’s best, looked a shadow of his former self. His poor distribution then led directly to Brentford’s second goal, as a misplaced pass put Christian Eriksen under pressure, allowing Mathias Jensen to steal possession and slot home.
Mathias Jensen capitalized on United’s defensive chaos to double Brentford’s lead.
Lisandro Martinez, Ten Hag’s marquee defensive signing, was bullied by Ben Mee, who outjumped the Argentine to head in Brentford’s third. Luke Shaw, Harry Maguire, and Martinez were all substituted at halftime—a damning indictment of their performances.
Midfield Overrun: Eriksen’s Brentford Reunion Turns Sour
Christian Eriksen’s return to Brentford was supposed to be a triumphant moment. Instead, he was overrun in midfield alongside an anonymous Bruno Fernandes and an ineffective Fred. Brentford’s midfield trio of Jensen, Dasilva, and Norgaard dominated possession, pressed relentlessly, and exposed United’s lack of physicality and tactical discipline.
Toothless Attack: Ronaldo’s Wastefulness
Cristiano Ronaldo, reinstated to the starting lineup, squandered multiple chances, including two free headers in the second half. Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho offered little threat, leaving United’s attack blunt and predictable.
Ten Hag’s Post-Match Fury: “We Put the Plan in the Bin”
The manager didn’t mince words after the game:
“I could have changed all 11 players at halftime. We were naïve, made bad decisions, and got punished. The first two goals had nothing to do with tactics—it was about basic errors.”
Ten Hag’s halftime triple substitution (Martinez, Shaw, Fred off for Varane, Malacia, McTominay) provided minor improvements, but the damage was already done.
Marvelbet Insight: Is Ten Hag Facing an Impossible Task?
The Glaring Recruitment Issues
United’s transfer strategy remains chaotic. While rivals like Arsenal and Manchester City strengthen with precision, United’s signings (Martinez, Eriksen, Malacia) have yet to make an impact. The lack of a dominant defensive midfielder and a clinical striker continues to haunt them.
Historical Low: Worst Start in Over 40 Years
- First time since 1921 a United manager lost his first two games.
- Seven consecutive away defeats—their worst run since 1936.
- Bottom of the Premier League with zero points and a -5 goal difference.
What’s Next? Liverpool Looming
United’s next fixture? A daunting clash against Liverpool at Old Trafford. If this performance is anything to go by, another humiliation could be on the cards.
Final Verdict: A Club in Crisis
Ten Hag inherited a broken squad, and this defeat proved that coaching alone won’t fix United’s deep-rooted issues. The board must back him in the transfer market, or the season could spiral further into disaster.
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