A disgraceful performance from Manchester United saw them lose 4-0 to Brentford, with Erik ten Hag still yet to claim a point in the Premier League.
Here are the player ratings:
David de Gea 1/10
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This may finally be the game the entire Manchester United fanbase finally sees David de Gea’s woeful inneffeciencies as a ball-playing goalkeeper. At fault as he helplessly let a soft shot go in to begin the chaos, then a poor pass to Eriksen putting him under danger resulting in the 2nd goal. This may be his worst performance in a United shirt.
Luke Shaw 2/10
Never really combined with Rashford and seems to have totally lost the 20-21 spark, didn’t bring Mbeumo down before the 4th goal, but wasn’t quick enough to nip in and make a challenge, part of a torrid United defence, speaks volumes that Malacia came on at HT.
Lisandro Martinez 2/10
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The first two goals there wasn’t too much that anyone could do, but besides the two mistakes, Brentford were physical and kept overloading players into the box in the knowledge that United barely had height in the team, and for the third goal it worked, but it’s also indicative that other teams will target his height. Pretty salient that he was taken off at HT for Varane, but it will take some adjusting to the Premier League.
Harry Maguire 3/10
Caught high up the pitch for the 4th goal and outmuscled for the third goal, he will probably continue to be part of the starting CB partnership, advancing up the pitch and trying to get United moving, but found it difficult to do so when the attackers frequently gave the ball away.
Diogo Dalot 4/10
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Ten Hag doesn’t have much of an option but to play anyone else but Diogo Dalot, was not dropping deep to be a passing option for the opening two goals and only gets a 4 because of two decent looking crosses provided for Ronaldo but aside form that was clumsy in the attacking phase of play
Fred 1/10
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Make no mistake about it Fred dropped a disaster class. It feels like we’re watching the Fred from the beginning of last season where he simply couldn’t put a foot right, constantly falling over or giving the ball away. For United to function without any midfield reinforcements on the horizon United need Fred to improve.
Christian Eriksen 2/10
Eriksen thrived in the deeper role last week vs Brighton but it became something of a bane this week in particular for the 2nd goal. A player of his experience shouldn’t be giving it away so close to his own box, (then again it was a horrific pass from De Gea). Went close to bringing back a consolation, but it’s so saliently obvious that teams will look to the deepest United midfielder as the pressing trigger and exploit this weakness excessively, last week it was Fred and Brighton, this week it was Eriksen. There was always going to be growing pains under Ten Hag but this and last week’s game showcases why Ten Hag and United wanted someone like Frenkie de Jong so badly.
Bruno Fernandes 2/10
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Seemed to lack composure in possession again, snatching at shots or giving the ball away cheaply. United were woeful in defence and clumsy in attack, the attack isn’t to blame so much for the loss but it didn’t really look smooth either.
Jadon Sancho 1/10
Routinely gave the ball away, nothing seemed to come off whether it was beating his man or dropping into central areas to try play off Ronaldo his substitution made complete sense in the second half, must try and build a partnership with Dalot
Marcus Rashford 1/10
These ratings to the attacking players may seem harsh because the game had simply got away from them in a mad opening half an hour, but Rashford still looks a shell of the player he once was, second guessing himself and failing to do the basics.
Cristiano Ronaldo 2/10
After possibly changing the game to grab the onus for Manchester United last week, he comically gave the ball away for the first goal, then had a couple of moments in the 2nd half but couldn’t get United back into the game. We never really got to see United utilise or play off him in attack but Ronaldo has a poor habit of snatching at long range shots.
Substitutions
Raphael Varane 6/10
Perhaps the game was already gone but the subs did provide some form of respite, Varane was better at clearing the ball and United looked a little more assured with him in but you had the feeling Brentford didn’t feel they needed to attack so much
Scott McTominay 6/10
McTominay was mocked last week as the pauper of the game and dutifully not in the starting line-up but he came on and provided a little more assurity in midfield playing simple passes and recycling the ball from defence to attack. The headache for Ten Hag now will be who to pick for Liverpool.
Tyrell Malacia 6/10
Looked livelier than Luke Shaw and had more bite in defence at preventing the scoreline from being even more embarrassing than it was. Should start vs Liverpool
Anthony Elanga N/A
Donny Van de Beek N/A
Topics: Manchester United, Premier League, Erik Ten Hag, Brentford, Football
