David de Gea carried the can for Manchester United's humiliation at Brentford and admitted the players “panicked” under pressure.
United's 4-0 capitulation at the Gtech Community Stadium condemned new manager Erik ten Hag to the worst start by a Red Devils boss since John Chapman in 1921. Calamity keeper De Gea took the blame for the first two goals, allowing Josh Dasilva's tame shot to squirm through his hands and then supplying Christian Eriksen with a hospital pass to present Mathias Jensen with the second.
As travelling fans demanded the removal of the American Glazer family as owners, and heckled United players angrily as they boarded the team coach afterwards, De Gea was at least decent enough to front up. But he warned United needed more bravery, more consistency and “proper players” to atone for the shameful display which left them rock-bottom of the embryonic Premier League table.
