Mount late strike not enough to seal United victory as Ajer levels for Brentford

PREMIER LEAGUE

BRENTFORD 1 (Ajer 90+9')

MANCHESTER UNITED 1 (Mount 90+6')

KRISTOFFER Ajer denied Manchester United victory in the eighth minute of added time, just two minutes after Mason Mount thought he had secured the points for Erik ten Hag’s side with his first goal for the club.

Mount’s confident finish came against the run of play and appeared to have secured an unexpected - and undeserved - win for Erik ten Hag’s side who had been out-played for long periods. But having been denied by the woodwork on three occasions, Brentford conjured a response when Ajer finished from close range after being set up by Ivan Toney.

It was no more than Brentford deserved. United arrived at the Gtech Community Stadium targeting a win that would strengthen their slender hopes of claiming a Champions League place. The final moments of the game meant United left the field disappointed at the manner in which they threw away the lead but there is no doubt victory would have flattered the visitors.

The way the game played out, tis marked a desperately disappointing step backwards for Ten Hag’s side after the dramatic FA Cup victory over Liverpool immediately before the international break.

Any hopes United might build on that win quickly disappeared. There was no shortage of intent from the visitors during the opening moments but they faded completely as an attacking force once Brentford found their feet.

Pushed onto the back foot, Ten Hag’s side appeared incapable of relieving sustained Brentford pressure by retaining possession for any significant length of time. Rasmus Hojlund failed to provide an outlet up with the Denmark international guilty of failing to hold on to the ball when it was played forward although he was by no