United came back firing after the break, though, with Alejandro Garnacho volleying home the leveller from Marcus Rashford’s cross. Rasmus Hojlund then got the winner with a deft finish and his first goal of the season. It was a desperately needed win and feel-good afternoon for Ten Hag.

Alejandro Garnacho's goal very early in the second half served a perfect harbinger of what was to come, as the Red Devils piped eight of their 13 second-half shot attempts on target and did not let either of Brentford's two efforts reach Andre Onana.