By Sulaimon Jamiu
It was an evening to forget for Manchester United fans as Cristiano Ronaldo started his first game of the 2022–23 season on Saturday, but the Red Devils lost to Brentford 4-0.
David de Gea’s blunder paved the way for Josh Dasilva’s poor, low shot into the bottom corner of the net, just 10 minutes in, setting the tone for United’s disastrous afternoon.
The United defense then allowed a second goal to extend their deficit eight minutes later, following a poor pass from De Gea; in which Mathias Jensen hounded Christian Eriksen out of possession and sent the former Brentford player the wrong way to score, amid the boos of the home crowd earlier in the game.
Brentford scored their third goal at the half-hour mark. When Ivan Toney headed a corner back across goal and Ben Mee outmuscled Lisandro Martinez to head home from close range, United’s defense came to a complete standstill due to more shoddy play.
Five minutes later, Thomas Frank’s team added a fourth goal to their flurry of goals. Ivan Toney slipped the pass to Brian Mbuemo, who brushed off a challenge and shot past De Gea in a masterfully performed counter-attack. For the first time in their Premier League history, United gave up four goals in the first half while playing away from home.
In the second half, Ten Hag’s team was able to stem the tide of goals given up, but they were unable to take advantage of their opportunities to gain some pride back.
United lost their second consecutive Premier League game this season, in what may be considered a big blow to the club.
