Cristiano Ronaldo started for Manchester United against Brentford on Saturday but could not help the Red Devils as they were thrashed 4-0 at Gtech Community Stadium.
Erik ten Hag decided to start Ronaldo this weekend against Brentford as he failed to start the Portuguese last weekend and they lost at home to Brighton & Hove Albion.
Despite rumors of a transfer away from the club, Cristiano Ronaldo began for Manchester United against Brentford on Saturday night as if all is settled between him and the Red Devils.
The game was Ronaldo’s first start of the 2022-2023 Premier League season after a chaotic preseason in which there was intense speculation that the 37-year-old was eager to leave United due to the club’s failure to qualify for this season’s Champions League football.
Erik ten Hag’s first game as Manchester United manager ended in a loss to Brighton, just like Alex Ferguson’s league debut 36 years prior ended in a loss to Oxford United. Neither situation was acceptable.
Erik ten Hag mistakenly predicted that he would get Sir Alex Ferguson’s home debut victory, but instead got Louis van Gaal, whose first game at Old Trafford resulted in a 2-1 loss to Swansea City.
The result of the season opener forced Manchester United fans to launch an attack in the direction of the team. But that didn’t stop the players to suffer another embarrassing casualty on match day 2 of the season.
During United’s second league game of the season which was against Brentford, the pitch appeared astonishingly well-nicked. Dalot helped Manchester United move the ball up the right, but Sancho fumbled a chipped pass, giving Brentford a throw-in.
There was no doubt that Brentford had a back four, but Hickey was in front of Roerslev. When Ronaldo was brought down after controlling the ball just outside the area, Manchester United protested for a penalty, but nothing was awarded.
What happened was the result of a Manchester United goal kick in less than 15 minutes. Pressing Cristiano Ronaldo, Brentford robbed him of the ball. Dasilva wrapped the ball around his right instep and sent a low, crisp shot too close to De Gea, who made a humiliating mistake and allowed the ball to slither under him, as Brentford raced forward. In spite of Cristiano Ronaldo’s protests that he had been fouled, the referee paid him no attention.
Eriksen received a short kick from David de Gea, who was undoubtedly acting on instructions, but the former Brentford player was mugged once more by his former teammates who had the better of him.
Eriksen appeared to be the weak link, and Brentford appeared to have decided to take advantage of the playing out from the back strategy of United.
However, one who physically looms above them tore apart a squad of short people. Dasilva, who leaped above his marker, headed the ball back across after Jensen blasted the corner to the back post.
Mee had to head it in with the back of his head after De Gea, Martinez, and Shaw all attempted to deflect it.
Manchester United was unable to match Brentford’s physical strength, height, and stamina at precisely half past the hour.
A long pass up the left side trapped Manchester United in the Brentford box, rendering them absolutely helpless.
Toney sprinted up the flank and played a beautiful outside foot ball to Mbeumo, who blew past Shaw and swept in a shot from 20 yards. Brentford played brilliantly against a completely bankrupt team.
The slogans “Get the Glazers out of our club” and “It’s time for the Glazers to leave” could be spotted on banners carried by Manchester United supporters.
However, they haven’t dropped their first two games since 1992–93, and just look at what they accomplished then. Now, the fans are left to wonder, how bad can things get for United this season?
