Manchester United were humiliated by Brentford at Gtech Community Stadium in a 4-0 thumping. The club had already suffered a 2-1 defeat against Brighton & Hove Albion on the opening fixture of the Premier League.
A defeat at London place Manchester United bottom of the table for the first time in over 30 years. The last time this happened, the English giants went on to win the Premier League under Sir Alex Ferguson.
Erik ten Hag becomes the first Manchester United manager to loose the opening two fixtures for the first time in over 100 years. This last happened in 1912 during the era of John Chapman. The Red Devils hit rock bottom in the hands of Thomas Frank’s army.
Brentford scored four goals in the first-half. The London based team were in complete control of the game, and fully exposed Manchester United’s lack of quality and ambition on the part of the players.
Speaking in the post-match analysis, ten Hag admitted he needs new faces.
“It’s rubbish. It’s poor. We need higher standards than that, that’s clear.”
“We have to deliver, and we didn’t do.”
He added: “We have to change. That’s quite clear. We have to start better, we have to stick to the team, stick to the plan… We didn’t do that today.”
“One mistake, okay, can happen. But then a second and a third mistake – it’s not acceptable. It is what we have to work on and players have to know that.”
“We need new players and quality players. We will try and convince them to join.”
“Mistakes are part of football, you have to keep going but you have [to] especially act — It [three subs at half-time] was about bringing fresh ones. I could have changed all eight others as well.”
United will turn their attention to the fixture against Liverpool at Old Trafford. The club is expected to make new signings in the coming days before they face Jurgen Kloop’s side.
