Manchester United’s stuttering Champions League hopes were dealt yet another blow after they conceded a last-gasp equaliser to draw with Brentford.
Thomas Frank’s side had missed a host of golden chances to take the lead and Ivan Toney saw a goal ruled out for the narrowest of offside decisions, but they secured a dramatic share of the spoils through Kristoffer Ajer’s 99th-minute leveller.
United, firmly against the run of play, looked to have stolen all three points at the death themselves after substitute Mason Mount fired into the far corner.
But just three minutes later, a deft chip over the top of United’s backline freed up space in behind and Ajer fired in from Toney’s inch-perfect cutback, leaving struggling United 11 points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Here, Mail Sport’s Chris Wheeler has given his expert player ratings…
Brentford forced a share of the spoils with Manchester United after a dramatic equaliser
Mason Mount fired United in front deep inside stoppage time before United were pegged back
BRENTFORD (3-5-2)
MARK FLEKKEN – 6.5 – Didn’t have much do good but brilliant reflex save to deny Hojlund. Excellent distribution as well.
MATHIAS JORGENSEN – 6 – Solid in defence and skimmed the bar with a header from a corner just after the half hour mark.
KRISTOFFER AJER – 7 – Won his battle with fellow Scandinavian Hojlund, and then got forward to score the late equaliser.
Kristoffer Ajer broke forward with 99 minutes on the clock to score the last-gasp leveller
Mads Roerslev, one of three starters from the side that won 4-0 last season, caused problems
NATHAN COLLINS – 6.5 – Wouldn’t have expected such an easy night against Garnacho but dealt comfortably with the threat.
MADS ROERSLEV – 7.5 – One of three starters from team that won 4-0 in this fixture last season, and gave United plenty of problems down their left.
YEHOR YARMOLIUK 6.5 – Great chance to break the deadlock early in the second half but Onana was equal to it.
MATHIAS JENSEN 7 – Plenty of energy and ingenuity from the Dane. He scored one of Brentford’s four goals last season and it could easily have been the same scoreline here.
VITALY JANELT 7 – Anchored the Brentford midfield far too comfortably as they outplayed United in almost every aspect of the game.
KEANE LEWIS-POTTER 6 – In for the suspended Reguilon and surprisingly had five chances but couldn’t quite convert any of them.
IVAN TONEY 8 – No league goals in six now after he hit the post and one ruled out for offside but a real handful for United and set up the equaliser with an excellent pullback.
Ivan Toney was a real handful for United and set up the equaliser with an excellent pullback
YOANE WISSA 7 – Some lovely moments – including the pass for Toney’s one-on-one – and had chances of his own but volleyed wide twice.
Subs: Strakosha, Maupay (for Roerslev 86), Ghoddos (for Lewis-Potter 87), Onyeka, Mbuemo (for Wissa 71, 6 Damsgaard (for Yamoulik 71, 6), Baptiste, Trevitt, Ji-Soo.
Scorer: Ajer 90+9
Booked: Wissa, Maupay
Manager: Thomas Frank 7
MAN UTD (4-2-3-1)
ANDRE ONANA 6.5 – Made a couple of decent saves but on the whole his goal led a charmed life as Brentford threatened time and again.
Andre Onana made a couple of decent saves but yet again, his goal led a charmed life
DIOGO DALOT 5.5 – Great recovery tackle on Yarmoliuk to deny him a clear sight of goal, and went close at the other end with a curling effort.
VICTOR LINDELOF 6 – Struggled to keep Toney under wraps but produced two vital interceptions to prevent almost certain goals.
RAPHAEL VARANE 5 – Difficult first half for him and was hurt blocking a Toney effort. Replaced by Maguire at half-time.
AARON WAN-BISSAKA 5 – Played on the left again but not as comfortable there and booked for a foul on Roerslev before half-time.
KOBBIE MAINOO 5.5 – Passed fit but looked as if he was still feeling the effects of an illness this week. Well off the pace.
Kobbie Mainoo was passed fit but looked as if he was still feeling the effects of an illness
SCOTT McTOMINAY 6.5 – The hero of the reverse fixture in October when he scored two injury-time goals played his part.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO 4 – Never got going and was taken off inside the hour. Disappeared straight down the tunnel.
Alejandro Garnacho never got going and was hauled off by Erik ten Hag inside the hour
BRUNO FERNANDES 6 – United’s captain was at the heart of their brighter moments, but that isn’t saying much.
MARCUS RASHFORD 4 – Sleep-walked through the first half and wasn’t better after the interval. Another of those games that passed him by.
Marcus Rashford sleep-walked through the first half and wasn’t any better after the interval
RASMUS HOJLUND 5 – One big chance to become the youngest player to score in seven Premier League games in a row but Flekken made an excellent save.
Rasmus Hojlund had one big chance to score but was denied by Mark Flekken’s superb save
Subs: Heaton, Amrabat, Maguire (for Varane 46, 6), Martinez (for Lindelof 69, 6), Mount (for Rashford 80), Eriksen, Casemiro (for Mainoo 80), Antony (for Garnacho 59, 6), Kambwala.
Scorer: Mount 90+6
Booked: Wan-Bissaka, McTominay
Manager: Erik ten Hag 5
Ten Hag’s side suffered another major blow in their bid to secure Champions League football
