Erik ten Hag issues defiant message as Scott McTominay spares Man Utd's blushes

07 October 2023 , 16:46

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Erik ten Hag issues defiant message as Scott McTominay spares Man Utd's blushes

Erik ten Hag said "you make your own luck" after seeing Manchester United score twice in stoppage time to beat Brentford and spare his blushes.

The Dutchman was facing the prospect of a third straight top-flight defeat at home - something that hadn't happened since the 1970s. An injury-time brace though from Scott McTominay, introduced as a substitute on 87 minutes, was enough to see off Brentford.

Ten Hag has overseen a poor start to the campaign, which continued in midweek with a Champions League defeat to Galatasaray, and things looked set to get worse with the Bees leading as the clock hit 90 minutes in Manchester, before the latest of late shows.

It means United have now won four and lost four of their eight league games thus far as Ten Hag said: "You make your own luck. I am really proud of this team. They kept going the whole game. They kept the faith."

The Dutchman also added: "I want to thank the fans. They kept us going and we made the turning point. You felt the explosion. To describe this feeling.. I can't.. but it's a great feeling I can tell you that."

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McTominay told Premier League Productions on his match-winning contribution: "That might be one of my favourite moments on a football pitch. Two goals at the death was incredible, but I am just happy to be able to contribute and show people that I can do it."

Scott McTominay was the hero at Old Trafford

Despite the morale boosting win, questions still remain over United's credentials with the Premier League's top outfits already enjoying a healthy lead over the Red Devils. The international break allows Ten Hag to get some of his big names back with injuries a plenty.

The United boss was forced to start with Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans at the heart of defence with Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane unavailable.

Thomas Frank was on the cusp of masterminding a historic victory, but was left to bemoan the brutality of football. He said: "Football is brutal in moments like this. I think we did so many things right, coming here to Old Trafford, almost perfect first half, pressed high, good on the counter and well deserved lead. Of course second half you know you will be put under pressure here. I actually felt like we defended it very well, and didn't give any big chances away... well until the third minute of injury time."

Samuel Meade