Brentford dominated hugely against Manchester United, but after 27 shots, three hits in the metal and zero goals, it was instead the visitors who took the lead at Mason Mount six minutes into injury time.
The euphoria was huge for Manchester United who looked set to take an important victory in the battle for the top four, but Brentford had a Norwegian who wanted it differently.
Nine minutes into overtime, Kristoffer Ajer appeared in the United box and knocked in the equalizer on Brentford’s 28th shot of the match.
– It was important. I think we are playing an almost perfect game. We clearly should have had three points today, says Ajer to Viaplay.
With that, the Norwegian scored in his second straight game, and ensured that one point remained in London.
– I have the last two goals for the club, so it’s incredible, says Ajer.
SAFE: When the ball fell to the feet of Kristoffer Ajer in overtime, he was ice cold and fixed a draw.
Foto: Matthew Childs / Reuters
Fierce Brentford pressure
Before the match in the English capital caught fire in overtime, it was mostly attacks against one goal.
– It was one of the best performances I have seen since I came to the club. It was incredibly fun to be a part of, says Ajer, who came to Brentford from Celtic in the summer of 2021.
Brentford forward Ivan Toney put the ball in the post halfway through the first half, before Mathias “Zanka” Jørgensen’s header hit the crossbar soon after.
In the second half, Toney had a goal disallowed, before the crossbar trembled again when Bryan Mbeumo sent a volley into the metal just over ten minutes before full-time.
DESPAIR: Ivan Toney had to go off the field scoreless despite several huge opportunities.
Foto: Toby Melville / Reuters
United criticism
It was therefore Brentford who created most of the chances, and United received harsh criticism for their performance against a team that had not won in the previous six games.
– It would have been criminal if Manchester United had won that match, says former England player Jamie Redknapp at Sky Sports.
– I think Manchester United are playing like a relegation team today, says Viaplay expert Sigrid Heien Hansen.
– I don’t think there is any better performance than that. Without warfare. The only fighting we got was for ten minutes. Then it looked like they would win. The rest of the match I think Manchester United are miserable, explains Heien Hansen.
BELIEVED VICTORY WAS SURE: The Manchester United players cheered wildly after Mason Mount’s overtime goal.
Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP
– Football is brutal
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag admits Brentford were the better team in Saturday’s game, although it was disappointing that it was only a draw after the late lead.
– They showed more passion, desire and will than we did. The quality of this team is that they fight for it, but we have to show more, says ten Hag to the BBC.
– We should all stand up and take responsibility for this here, he says to Sky Sports.
ALMOST MATCH WINNER: Mason Mount.
Photo: JUSTIN TALLIS / AFP
– If you look at the match as a whole, it was not up to our standard. We know that. When we scored at the very end, you thought you could resist, but maybe we didn’t deserve it, says goalscorer Mount to Sky Sports.
– Brentford made it difficult. It’s never easy to get here. They made it tough and we never got going from the start, continues Mount.
Thomas Frank, Brentford’s Danish manager, was completely amazed that his team did not win the game.
– There should only have been one winner in this match, and it should have been us. Then you end up 0–1 down in the 96th minute, and then you think that football is brutal. I almost lost faith in the football god, but he gave a little back, says Frank to Sky Sports.
Precious points
For Manchester United’s fight for a top four finish – which guarantees a spot in the Champions League – two precious points were lost when Ajer equalised.
With one game less played, there are 11 points up to Aston Villa in fourth place, while Tottenham have eight points more than Manchester United with the same number of games played.
– It will be tough now, but all we can do is focus on ourselves. We know what we have to do, says Mount.
– There are many games left, so let’s play. We take this point with us. In the end, it can be a very good point, says ten Hag.
For Brentford’s part, there are five points down to the relegation spot with eight league rounds left in the Premier League season.
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Published 30.03.2024, at 23.01 Updated 31.03.2024, at 04.19