One simple, magic moment showed me Kobbie Mainoo is ready for Manchester United responsibility

Manchester United may ultimately be thankful they managed to gain a result against Brentford given how the game played out, but a 1-1 draw does no favours for their Champions League hopes.

If Mason Mount’s 96th-minute strike had been the only goal, Erik ten Hag’s men would have kept the pressure on Aston Villa and Tottenham in fifth and sixth, respectively. But Kristoffer Ajer’s 99th-minute equaliser means the club are now eight points off a top five spot.

The Bees fired in 31 shots against United - the most they have ever tallied in a Premier League game. As for United, it is another stuttering false dawn after the epic FA Cup win over Liverpool a fortnight ago. Here are several things fans may have missed during the match.

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United struggled even more when Kobbie Mainoo, who was unwell during the week, was taken off for Casemiro. At only 18-years-old, he plays with maturity beyond his years - and now he is showing off his confidence.

During the first half he calmly shouldered the ball to a teammate despite advancing pressure in a rag-tag phase of play. While of course the skill itself does not denote much, the confidence for the teenager to do that and pull it off further shows he can be a player United rely upon in crunch moments.

The youngster may not have hit the heights he has recently, including on his first England start against Belgium on Tuesday, but he remains a shining light for United.

Raphael Varane provoked yet more injury concern when he was taken off at half-time as a precaution after feeling his ankle. The defender has missed more than 40 matches due to