📰 Table Of Contents
Pre-Match Social Media Commentary
Last time @BrentfordFC faced Man Utd…#MUNBRE pic.twitter.com/IMnL1Gb9AK
— Premier League (@premierleague) April 5, 2023
Ten Hag in programme: ‘I have said that the campaign really begins in April and May. Now, that time is here and everything we have done before is behind us. Every game between now and the end of the season has to be a fight, whichever competition we are playing in.’ #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) April 5, 2023
Further negotiations over the sale of Man Utd due in the coming days – some in European football believe they won’t sell. Others believe a deal can be negotiated.
(If they didn’t sell, there’d be riots)@Tom_Morgs @TelegraphDucker https://t.co/Q5yim2Seo8
— Alex Shaw (@AlexShawTel) April 5, 2023
Micah Richards had a message for Brentford on #MOTD… 🐝
Will they continue to keep on proving people wrong?#BBCFootball #MUNBRE pic.twitter.com/4S85zZ64K8
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) April 5, 2023
Thomas Frank will be the subject of much speculation due to the various #PL managerial vacancies.
His name will be spoken about regarding Leicester City and Tottenham — but perhaps the smartest option is to remain at Brentford.
📝 @jaydmharrishttps://t.co/4C1SXfnoRd
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) April 5, 2023
The Red Devils were relentless from the word go in front of home support in Old Trafford, with Brentford’s 4-0 win earlier in the season serving up all the motivation that was needed for Ten Hag’s men to set the record straight on a night where a result would see them climb back into the top four and ahead of Tottenham after United had endured a three-match winless run of late.
United had carved out a number of opportunities while dominating possession against a Brentford side under Thomas Frank that are happy to surrender the ball in order to hit bigger sides on the counter, but it was Ten Hag’s side that would eventually strike first in the 27th minute through none other than Marcus Rashford, whose close-range effort flew into the top of the net past Spanish keeper David Raya to give the English giants a justified 1-0 lead.
Rashford’s 31st goal of the season in all competitions saw the England star equal Wayne Rooney’s record of 19 goals at home during a single season as the United academy product continues to enjoy a renaissance season under Ten Hag.
Marcus Rashford blasts it home and Manchester United lead! 🫡
📺: @peacock | #MUNBRE pic.twitter.com/C6ceEXSLSr
— NBC Sports Soccer (@NBCSportsSoccer) April 5, 2023
Matters would remain at that same scoreline when both sides entered their respective changing rooms during the half-time interval, with the data at the time showing utter dominance perpetrated by United, who managed to keep the Bees to just three touches in their 18-yard-box while at the other end carving out 12 chances of various types.
Brentford tried to work itself back into proceedings in the second half but very much remained second-best to their illustrious hosts, who perhaps were unlucky to not find a second goal on the night regardless of their continued dominance.
In the end, it would be all that the Red Devils needed to climb back into the top four, along with Newcastle after the Magpies resounding 5-1 win away at West Ham United, which now sees both sides pull ahead of managerless Tottenham Hotspur.
Key Stats & Performers
No player has scored more Premier League goals this year than Marcus Rashford (9) 🔥 pic.twitter.com/UBoleIUIFJ
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) April 5, 2023
11 – Marcus Rashford has scored more Premier League goals than any other player since the World Cup (11), with only Victor Osimhen (12) netting more in this period across Europe’s big five leagues. Surge. pic.twitter.com/yqoYMo5xdU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 5, 2023
Marcus Rashford has now scored or assisted 37 goals in all competitions so far this season. This is now his best ever season for goal contributions.
End product. 💥 pic.twitter.com/i7ltLJDzcf
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 5, 2023
FT Man Utd 1-0 Brentford
xG: 1.26-0.66Marcus Rashford scores again for United, who rightly edged this one. #PremierLeague | #MUFC | #BrentfordFC | #MUNBRE pic.twitter.com/svVTqsHj3R
— Sporting Life Football & Infogol (@InfogolApp) April 5, 2023
Marcus Rashford’s game by numbers vs. Brentford:
87% pass accuracy
15 final third passes
4 key passes
3 ground duels won
3 shots
2 dribble completed
1 goalLead the line excellently. 👏 pic.twitter.com/lnorTJLWQr
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 5, 2023
Bruno Fernandes’ game by numbers vs. Brentford:
114 touches
87% pass accuracy
83 passes completed
30 final third passes
10 ball recoveries
7 long balls completed
4/5 ground duels won
3 key passes
2/2 aerial duels won
2 interceptions
1/1 dribble completedPivotal. ✨ pic.twitter.com/hdmKqdQ9as
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) April 5, 2023
Man Utd’s last 23 games at Old Trafford:
WDWWWWWWWWWWWWWDWWWWDWW
◉ Goals: 52
◉ Conceded: 12
◉ Clean sheets: 13
The Fortress of Dreams. 🏰 pic.twitter.com/AeVniikS6l— Squawka (@Squawka) April 5, 2023
Manchester United Player Ratings
- GK: David de Gea – 7
- RB: Diogo Dalot – 7
- RCB: Raphaël Varane – 7.5
- LCB: Lisandro Martínez – 7.5
- LB: Luke Shaw – 6.5
- RCM: Scott McTominay – 7
- LCM: Marcel Sabitzer – 7.5
- CAM: Bruno Fernandes – 7
- RW: Antony – 6.5
- LW: Jadon Sancho – 7
- CF: Marcus Rashford – 8
- Sub: Tyrell Malacia – 7
- Sub: Fred – 6
- Sub: Anthony Martial – 6
- Sub: Victor Lindelöf – 6
Brentford Player Ratings
- GK: David Raya – 6.5
- RCB: Pontus Jansson – 6.5
- CB: Ethan Pinnock – 7
- LCB: Ben Mee – 7
- RWB: Mads Roerslev – 6.5
- LWB: Rico Henry – 6.5
- RCM: Mattias Jensen – 6.5
- CM: Christian Nørgaard – 6
- LCM: Mikkel Damsgaard – 6
- RF: Bryan Mbeumo – 6
- LF: Ivan Toney – 6.5
- Sub: Shandon Baptise – 6.5
- Sub: Josh Dasilva – 6
- Sub: Kevin Schade – 6
- Sub: Yoann Wisse – 6
- Sub: Aaron Hickey – 6
