In a breathtaking finale at the Gtech Community Stadium, Kristoffer Ajer clinched a dramatic draw for Brentford with a goal deep into injury time, denying Manchester United a crucial victory.
The equalizer arrived just moments after Mason Mount seemed to have secured the win for the visitors with his debut goal for United. However, the Red Devils couldn’t maintain their lead, and the draw dealt a blow to their aspirations of qualifying for the next season’s Champions League.
Ivan Toney, fresh off his first England goal against Belgium, played a pivotal role in the build-up to Brentford’s equalizer. His assist set up Ajer to convert, earning the Bees a well-deserved point after a match where they struck the woodwork on four occasions.
Toney himself came close to scoring earlier, hitting the inside of the post with a powerful shot. Mathias Jorgensen also saw his header clip the crossbar before halftime. Despite Brentford’s dominance, they faced frustration as Yoane Wissa’s volley hit the upright, and Bryan Mbeumo’s effort rebounded off the crossbar.
The intensity continued in the second half, with Mbeumo’s apparent goal disallowed for offside. Brentford’s goalkeeper Mark Flekken made a crucial save to deny Rasmus Hojlund, but he couldn’t stop Mason Mount’s goal before Ajer’s late heroics.
Manchester United, buoyed by their recent FA Cup triumph over Liverpool, couldn’t maintain momentum against a determined Brentford side. Despite their efforts, which saw Brentford take an impressive 31 shots, only five were on target.
United’s struggles were evident throughout the match, compounded by injuries to Raphael Varane and Victor Lindelof. While Mount’s late goal seemed to secure victory for United, Ajer’s equalizer reflected Brentford’s resilience and determination.
The draw leaves Manchester United in a challenging position in the race for a top-four finish, with Aston Villa and Tottenham Hotspur ahead by significant margins. As the season progresses, United will need to address their inconsistencies to secure their Champions League aspirations.
