A response to a setback and back in the top four. Manchester United have form for following up egregious performances with character-building wins and this was another.
This was far from vintage from United but it was never likely to be against such obdurate opponents. Brentford, back in the top flight after a 74-year absence last season, have still lost fewer Premier League fixtures than United this term.
Erik ten Hag resorted to introducing a third centre half, Victor Lindelof, for the dying embers and the Swede lost his first aerial duel. Lisandro Martinez's size has seldom mattered since his chastening afternoon at Brentford in August and the Argentine approached the tunnel as United's man of the match for the umpteenth time.
