Mount miracle in vain as Man Utd kiss UCL dreams goodbye

Champions League aspirations dashed! Mason Mount's late euphoria overshadowed by a heart-wrenching equalizer in the final moments, following disappointing performances from Kobbie Mainoo and Alejandro Garnacho, despite a standout display from Andre Onana.

The Red Devils narrowly escaped what could have been another heavy defeat at the hands of Brentford, only to be denied victory by a late equalizer in the 98th minute. Mason Mount, a somewhat forgotten figure among Manchester United fans, made a triumphant return to the spotlight by scoring his debut goal for the club in the 95th minute, salvaging a draw away at Brentford.

Despite Mount's heroics, Brentford had largely dominated the match, showcasing their superiority by striking the woodwork four times throughout the game. Manager Thomas Frank could only express frustration at the perceived injustice of their inability to secure a win earlier. Finally, in the dying moments of the game, Kristoffer Ajer capitalized on Brentford's relentless pressure and leveled the score, ensuring they got the result they deserved.

Manchester United owed much to goalkeeper Andre Onana's heroic saves and the wasteful finishing from their hosts to avoid a potential heavy defeat. While United showed glimpses of promise early on, they struggled to maintain control of the game, allowing Brentford to dictate proceedings, particularly in the first half. Ivan Toney's effort striking the post and Zanka's shot hitting the bar were emblematic of Brentford's attacking dominance, evidenced by their barrage of 14 shots.

United's only notable chance prior to Mount's goal came from Rasmus Hojlund, resulting in an outstanding save from Brentford goalkeeper Mark Flekken. However, Andre Onana quickly stole the spotlight with a remarkable double save to deny Yegor Yarmolyuk and Keane Lewis-Potter, followed by close attempts from Yoane Wissa hitting the post and Bryan Mbeumo striking the crossbar.

Mount's composed finish from inside the box seemed to defy logic, granting United an unexpected and perhaps undeserved lead. However, Ajer's late equalizer served as a reality check, likely shattering their hopes of qualifying for the Champions League. Currently trailing fourth-placed Aston Villa by 11 points and fifth-placed Tottenham by eight, United's chances of securing a top-four finish appear increasingly slim.

Man United's players rating from the Gtech Community Stadium

Goalkeeper & Defense:

• Andre Onana (7/10): Onana showcased his impressive form with an exceptional double save in the second half.

• Diogo Dalot (6/10): Showed good anticipation and came close to scoring from long range.

• Victor Lindelof (6/10): Had difficulty containing Toney but managed some crucial tackles, although he suffered a hamstring injury in the second half.

• Raphael Varane (6/10): Made numerous blocks and interceptions but had to be substituted due to an ankle injury late in the first half.

• Aaron Wan-Bissaka (6/10): Continued his solid displays, despite playing in an unfamiliar left-back role.

Midfield

• Kobbie Mainoo (5/10): Seemed fatigued after a busy week with England and dealing with an illness leading up to the game.

• Scott McTominay (5/10): Made minimal impact and contributed to United's lack of control in midfield.

• Bruno Fernandes (5/10): Continued his streak of underwhelming performances.

Attack

• Alejandro Garnacho (4/10): Disappointing performance with minimal impact in creating danger, justifying his substitution.

• Rasmus Hojlund (5/10): Struggled to find his sharpness and failed to link up effectively with teammates. Denied a good chance by a fine save from Flekken.

• Marcus Rashford (4/10): Limited involvement apart from a promising opening 10 minutes.

Substitutes & Manager

• Harry Maguire (5/10): Looked a bit shaky after replacing Varane.

• Lisandro Martinez (4/10): Made a comeback after a seven-week absence but appeared rusty and made a costly error with a poor backward pass.

• Antony (6/10): Came close to scoring with his trademark move from the right flank.

• Casemiro (6/10): Assisted Mount's goal and provided added physicality in midfield, although he seemed fatigued despite limited playing time.

• Mason Mount (7/10): Scored an impressive debut goal for the club, offering hope amid a season plagued by injuries.

• Manager (5/10): Disappointing performance following a victory over Liverpool, particularly with the loss of two key center-backs. Despite positive contributions from substitutes, the overall performance was chaotic.