Manchester United were “destroyed” in the first half of their 3-1 win over Brentford, with Thomas Frank claiming they only deserved a draw at most.
United failed to register a single shot on target in the opening period in west London on Wednesday, while David de Gea was forced into three saves from Mathias Jensen and Ethan Pinnock.
After Cristiano Ronaldo sent a header against the crossbar at the start of the second half, Anthony Elanga put the Red Devils ahead with their first shot on target.
Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford put United out of sight and secured a 300th Premier League away victory for the club, with Ivan Toney netting a late consolation for Brentford.
“Unbelievably proud of my team. I think we are the smallest club in the Premier League, Manchester United are probably the biggest. The way we played in the first half, I think we destroyed them,” Frank told BT Sport.
“We should have been up at least 2-0, they didn’t have a sniff, nothing. We created five, six chances and three huge chances. Man United deserved a maximum of a draw. I think they are unbelievably lucky.
“Of course you need to take your chances, I know all that c**p. But the performance, I’m proud of that. They changed the system against little Brentford. I’m so, so proud of my team.
“I think we can be proud of a very good performance but it’s the result that counts. There are some good aspects from this game we can bring forward.” @JonasLoessl reflects on his first game at Brentford Community Stadium. @pensionbee | #BREMUN | #BrentfordFC pic.twitter.com/HuWqQ4WLpP
— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 19, 2022
“[It was] one of those nights, it’s football. Fair play to De Gea, a very good performance. If we get those chances again one will go in the back of the net.
“Our intensity killed them, we showed that in the first half. We pressed them, when we had to we defended low, we won the second balls, we played behind and ran behind them. We played the Brentford way in the first half.
“The game opened up. They hadn’t had a chance before their goal. Of course, I know that’s why they pay 72 million [pounds] for [Jadon] Sancho, who’s not even included in the team. That’s why, that little bit of brilliance created the first goal.
“Of the three goals, the second is most disappointing and difficult to come back from. There were huge positives. I think the way we smashed them in the first half was fantastic, so proud of my team.”
