Photo courtesy of Brentford FC Social
To open the 2022-23 Premier League season, Manchester United lost 2-1 at home against Brighton & Hove Albion after a midfield master class from Moises Caicedo. Surely, their next match against Brentford would be a nice rebound for the Red Devils…… right?
Unfortunately for Man Utd supporters, their fortunes turned even worse on Saturday as the Brentford Bees crushed Man Utd 4-0 with every goal coming in the first 40 minutes of the match.
David De Gea, who has been the number-one goalkeeper for Man Utd since 2014, made two disatrous errors in the 10th and 18th minutes.
In the 10th minute, Josh Dasilva’s strike bounced off the hands off De Gea into the back of the net to give the Bees a 1-0 lead.
"The bees. Sting. INSTANTLY."
De Gea fumbles Josh Dasilva's shot into the goal. Brentford lead Manchester United 1-0. #BrentfordFC
📺: @nbc, @NBCUniverso & @peacockTV #MyPLMorning | #BREMUN pic.twitter.com/THyNXxSj4z
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 13, 2022
Eight minutes later, De Gea put Christian Eriksen in a precarious situation with Mathias Jensen all over him, the goalkeeper passed the ball into the possession of Jensen, who pounced on the opportunity to give Brentford a 2-0 lead.
Calamity at the back for Manchester United as Mathias Jensen pounces on the mistake and doubles Brentford's lead!
📺: @nbc, @NBCUniverso & @peacockTV #MyPLMorning | #BREMUN pic.twitter.com/5ypEKBODAG
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 13, 2022
12 minutes after that, Ivan Toney showed his playmaking ability by lobbing a ball high up into the air, landing right toward Ben Mees, who touched the ball in to give the Bees an astounding 3-0 lead.
It's a dream day for Brentford!
Only a half hour into the match they're up 3-0 over Manchester United.
📺: @nbc, @NBCUniverso & @peacockTV #MyPLMorning | #BREMUN pic.twitter.com/JRRKBLJZHT— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 13, 2022
Shockingly, the nightmare for Manchester United continued four minutes later as Brentford used a brilliant counterattack to take a 4-0 lead. Toney received the clearance and delivered a perfect through-ball to Bryan Mbeumo, who slotted it past De Gea to cap off Man Utd’s embarrassment.
IT'S 4-0!
Brentford are dominating Manchester United. It's Bryan Mbeumo who finds the back of the net.
📺: @NBC, @NBCUniverso & @peacockTV #MyPLMorning | #BREMUN pic.twitter.com/PNgTymZKbT
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) August 13, 2022
The score held and Man Utd still hasn’t scored this season (one goal against Brighton was an own goal). Brentford set the record for the quickest to four goals in a match against Man Utd ever.
I mentioned in my Premier League takeaways on Tuesday that Man Utd needed to overhaul their squad, especially their midfield. Now, it appears that they need to overhaul their backline and goalkeeper. The defenders were constantly out of position. Allowing a goal on a corner kick with them out-numbering Brentford attackers 8-4 is unacceptable and De Gea has made too many errors in between the posts.
Man U manager Erik ten Hag is now learning how difficult the job is compared to Ajax, who always succeeds in the Eredivisie. The Premier League is ruthless and if you do not play with passion, even mid-table clubs will capitalize.
On another note, Toney showed his prowess and with his exceptional playmaking abilities, bigger clubs will enjoy his services once he inevitably moves on from Brentford.
Man Utd’s next match might make this season even worse: a Liverpool squad who are frustrated after a disappointing opening draw against Fulham. It’ll take place on Monday, Aug. 22.
