Ethan Pinnock’s goal was not enough to secure a victory for Brentford, as they suffered a 2-1 defeat against Manchester United in the Premier League.
Pinnock put Brentford ahead with a powerful header at the end of the first half, but Manchester United responded strongly in the second half, scoring through Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund.
Brentford, unchanged from their previous 5-3 victory over Wolves but featuring Yoane Wissa on the bench, created the first opportunity at Old Trafford. A combination between Keane Lewis-Potter and Vitaly Janelt saw Jonny Evans deflect a dangerous cross, while Kristoffer Ajer’s pass allowed Bryan Mbeumo to drive towards goal, but his shot went over.
In the 16th minute, Pinnock’s long throw led to a chance for Mikkel Damsgaard, whose volley from the edge of the area was deflected and lost amid a crowd of players. Brentford faced a scare when a corner from Christian Eriksen was almost converted by Højlund, but goalkeeper Mark Flekken managed to keep it out.
Flekken made another crucial save soon after, denying Garnacho’s powerful shot. Meanwhile, Christian Nørgaard’s effort tested United’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana. Eriksen and Casemiro both missed opportunities as the first half wore on.
Just before halftime, Pinnock redeemed himself by scoring from Damsgaard’s corner, heading the ball into the top corner to give Brentford a 1-0 lead.
The second half saw a shift in momentum, as Manchester United leveled the score just two minutes in. Garnacho finished off a cross from Marcus Rashford with a well-placed shot. United continued to apply pressure, with Garnacho testing Flekken with a long-range effort.
United took the lead shortly after when Eriksen’s assist found Højlund, who deftly lobbed the ball over Flekken into the net. Flekken made a series of impressive saves to keep the match close, denying efforts from Dalot and Casemiro.
Despite Brentford’s attempts to get back into the game, including a shot from Fábio Carvalho, they could not find an equalizer, resulting in their defeat.
Brentford head coach Thomas Frank expressed disappointment with his team’s second-half performance, noting he needed more intensity from his players after a strong first half. He emphasized the importance of playing with character, especially against a top team like Manchester United.
Mikkel Damsgaard, who assisted Pinnock’s goal, also reflected on the match, stating it was frustrating not to maintain their intensity in the second half. He praised Pinnock’s scoring ability from set-pieces and highlighted their focus on improving in that area.