Erik ten Hag says Manchester United demonstrated their survival instinct to avoid “getting eaten” by Brentford after scoring twice in stoppage time in a 2-1 victory.
United had trailed to Mathias Jensen’s first-half goal before Scott McTominay emerged from the bench and struck in the 93rd and 97th minute.
Ten Hag said the desire shown in the dying stages has to be the standard for his team.
“Those games give fuel to the dressing room,” the United manager said. “They know how far they have to go to get results. It can’t be easy going.
“In football it is eat or get eaten. Too many times in the first half of this season we got eaten by opponents who are more hungry. This can’t be. It has to go away.
“Every player has to deliver that in every second he is on the pitch. That is the demand, the standard, when you do that we have seen last season you get determined team. We were not always determined on every occasion in games, and you get hammered for it. This has to change.”
United conceded after 26 minutes when a series of defensive errors led to Jensen’s opener.
McTominay was introduced with just three minutes of normal time remaining to rescue United, securing a first win in the Premier League at Old Trafford since August and preventing a third successive home loss in all competitions following defeats to Crystal Palace and Galatasaray.
Ten Hag cursed the build up to Brentford’s goal and said the result has to be a “turning point” for his side.
“We controlled the game, without creating many chances and more box entries but we controlled that help us they are good on counter attacks,” he added. “They got some set plays and some opportunities from that.
“We had some opportunities and then same story again, we conceded a goal, some decisive moment, totally the wrong decision. Two or three players. It sums up our season, such easy giveaways get punished in top football.
“It has to be a turning point and also a restart. The spirit is good. The team is together. We have shown that.”
GO DEEPER
Manchester United 2-1 Brentford analysed: McTominay’s comeback, Ten Hag’s position, Onana’s struggles
Comeback victory could be catalyst for deeper turnaround
_Analysis from Manchester United correspondent Laurie Whitwell _
Old Trafford has not seen celebrations like that in a long time. McTominay’s injury-time double turned disaster into ecstasy, the stadium a sea of whirling limbs backed by an incredible noise.
It recalled to mind Steve Bruce’s late brace from 30 years ago, which switched defeat into sweet victory for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team. The difference is that back then United were on course for the title. This win puts United into ninth in the table. Thoughts of championships are a long way off.
Indeed, before McTominay scored, Ten Hag’s tenure was lurching into deep crisis. Brentford fans were taunting him with chants of “sacked in the morning”, as United headed for a third consecutive home defeat in the league. The last time that happened was in 1979.
United have averted that damning statistic but the alarming aspect was that for large parts of the game United looked devoid of ideas.
Ten Hag took off Casemiro and Rashford, two of his best players last season, and a loss would have sucked hope from the manager’s powers of survival. Those issues remain. But the manner of this comeback victory, the energy in Old Trafford at the final whistle, could be the catalyst for a deeper turnaround.
(Photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
