Manchester United come from behind for much-needed victory

Manchester United enjoyed a much-needed return to winning ways as Alejandro Garnacho's sublime volley and a cool Rasmus Hojlund finish saw Erik ten Hag’s side come back to beat Brentford.

The under-fire Red Devils boss hit out at "fairy tales" and "lies" about his future on the eve of a match his side could ill afford to slip up in having made their worst start to a Premier League season after seven games.

Ethan Pinnock’s header in first half stoppage time put Brentford on course for a first Old Trafford win since 1937, but Garnacho and Hojlund goals secured a 2-1 triumph and a first victory in all competitions in a month.

The Red Devils had been winless in five matches and were facing a third consecutive home league loss when Pinnock scored from a corner after Matthijs de Ligt was again forced off with his bloodied head.

Despite officials following the rules there was a sense of injustice inside, which perhaps fuelled United’s flying start to the second half as Garnacho volleyed home Marcus Rashford’s brilliant cross in the 47th minute.

United looked reinvigorated and went ahead when Bruno Fernandes’ inspired flick put Hojlund behind to coolly clip over Mark Flekken in the 62nd minute, sealing a third Premier League win of the campaign.

Things could have been different had super starters Brentford struck their latest early blow just 145 seconds in, but Kevin Schade failed to connect with a tantalising cross.

Bryan Mbeumo struck off target before United’s injury-disrupted defence dealt with another blow as De Ligt got attention having headed Schade’s knee.

The defender was patched up and the game continued evenly, with Brentford surviving a scare in the 21st minute.

Flekken flapped after Lisandro Martinez – deployed at left-back