Erik ten Hag receives credit in the English media for Manchester United's comeback against Brentford (2-1). With their first Premier League win since September 14, the pressure on his position has eased slightly, although a crisis at Old Trafford is still not far off.
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The BBC reports that Manchester United managed a dramatic comeback from a 1-0 deficit at halftime against Brentford on Saturday afternoon, securing a 2-1 victory.
The turnaround was led by standout performances from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Højlund, who were both instrumental in securing the crucial three points. Garnacho, in particular, was praised for his sharpness and energy in attack, while Højlund's first league goal of the season provided him with a confidence boost moving forward. The victory gave Erik ten Hag some breathing room, but the pressure on the United manager remains high, with further positive results essential to stabilizing the situation.
Fans, notably, chanted Ten Hag's name after the match, which was a surprising shift from the wave of criticism that had been directed at him in recent weeks by the English media. The international break had been rife with speculation regarding Ten Hag's future at the club, with many pundits and media outlets suggesting that his position was in jeopardy. Ten Hag himself addressed this coverage before the Brentford match, expressing frustration at what he saw as baseless criticism. Despite United's victory, The Daily Mail maintained that his dismissal was still a possibility when the team trailed 1-0 at halftime. However, they acknowledged that Ten Hag deserved credit for the second-half turnaround that saw United playing with renewed vigor.
In their analysis, The Daily Mail observed that United transformed into a completely different team after the break. Rather than crumbling under pressure, they took control of the game, with both Garnacho and Højlund making significant contributions. After the final whistle, a palpable sense of relief could be felt from the Old Trafford crowd, many of whom were bracing for another disappointing result. The victory now means United faces their upcoming Europa League clash with José Mourinho's Fenerbahçe with renewed optimism, though the BBC cautions that another defeat could easily reignite the crisis.
According to the TV channel, it was ultimately a positive day for Erik ten Hag. "The Manchester United manager has been under fire lately due to criticisms that didn't quite hold up, but United played well," they stated. "While Brentford was the better team in the first half, United still maintained considerable control and never looked in danger during the second half. However, this victory is just a start, and Ten Hag will need a run of wins to truly secure his position."
As the specter of dismissal looms over Ten Hag, comparisons to Sir Alex Ferguson's departure from the club continue to be drawn in the media. The Daily Mail was quick to note the irony that Ferguson, whose legacy still casts a long shadow over the club, was not present at Old Trafford for the match, as he had traveled to Scotland to watch his former club Aberdeen play Celtic. Ferguson's absence was highlighted in contrast to the heavy scrutiny surrounding Ten Hag’s future, especially during this critical phase of the season.
Sky Sports highlighted another key moment in the match, noting that United used the frustration from Brentford's goal scored while Matthijs de Ligt was receiving treatment on the sidelines as fuel to inspire their second-half performance. "It was an impressive transformation," they remarked. "United struggled to create chances in the first half, possibly due to a lack of confidence. But by full-time, they had not only turned the game around but also climbed above Brentford in the table, giving them a much-needed boost before their trip to face Fenerbahçe in the Europa League."
Although this victory brings some relief, the underlying issues at Manchester United remain, and another poor result could quickly undo any progress Ten Hag has made. Both the BBC and other outlets emphasize that United's manager is still walking a fine line, and any slip-ups in the coming matches could see the pressure on his position intensify once again.
