Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag admitted that his side “lacked the aggression” during the disappointing 1-1 draw against Brentford FC at the Glech Community Stadium on Saturday.
Mason Mount’s 96th-minute goal put the visitors ahead but Kristoffer Ajer’s late equaliser snatched the three points from the Red Devils as Ten Hag’s men went back to home after sharing points.
There had been rumours circulating Ten Hag’s future with multiple outlets reporting England’s Gareth Southgate as the successor. The Dutchman, in his pre-match press conference, didn’t seem much troubled by the rumours. However, his team didn’t do him any favour with their below-the-par display against Brentford.
“We didn’t deserve to win but if you are winning you have to take this. Normally we are good in those circumstances,” Ten Hag said after the match.
“In terms of aggressiveness, Brentford was better but when you are winning the game you should bring it over the line. When you don’t play well you still have to win and we did it, almost. We didn’t play well but there was spirit and fight but not enough.
“There are still many games to go. Of course, the points could be more expensive by the end. It should have been three points. By the end, we will know. It could be an important point.
“Don’t lower the performance from Brentford, I’ve seen them against Man City, against Liverpool. But we should have done this better.
“I’m not happy with the performance, there is no misunderstanding. We should be consistent in the way we take a game and perform.”
United currently sit on sixth position with 48 points after 29 matches in the league, 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and they have already crashed out of the Champions League and Carabao Cup.
They can still finish the season with a trophy as the Red Devils will take on Coventry City in the semi-final of the FA Cup and will face the winner of Manchester City vs Chelsea should they qualify for the final.