Brentford forced Erik ten Hag to throw away his tactical blueprint - so what happens today?

Today, Manchester United will revisit Brentford's Gtech Community Stadium, a venue that evokes painful memories for the Red Devils following one of their most devastating defeats in recent years. The sight of the small, modern arena in west London is likely to trigger vivid recollections for Erik ten Hag, especially considering the profound impact the previous encounter had on his tactical approach.

More than 19 months have passed since United's last visit to Brentford, but the humiliating 4-0 loss suffered against Thomas Frank's side in the second game of the previous season remains etched in the memories of all associated with the club. This defeat, regarded as one of United's worst in the Premier League era, left a lasting impression on Ten Hag.

The Dutchman, appointed by United based on his successful tenure with Ajax, where he implemented an attractive, possession-based style of football, initially aimed to replicate this approach at Old Trafford. However, the humbling defeat at Brentford, following a prior loss to Brighton on the opening day of the season, prompted Ten Hag to undergo an urgent and significant reevaluation of his tactics.

Targeted and torn apart

Despite maintaining possession dominance against both Brighton and Brentford, Manchester United found themselves vulnerable to their opponents' relentless pressing and swift counter-attacks during their visit to Brentford. The hosts capitalized on United's mistakes, with individual errors proving costly for the Red Devils.

The opening goal stemmed from a mistake by Cristiano Ronaldo, who was dispossessed in his own half, allowing Brentford to swiftly capitalize through Josh Dasilva's low shot that slipped under David de Gea. De Gea's errors continued as he passed out to Christian Eriksen, only for the Dane to be dispossessed, leading to Mathias Jensen's close-range strike.

United's defensive organization faltered further as chaotic marking from a corner allowed Ben Mee to nod in Brentford's third goal, with Diogo Dalot and Lisandro Martinez failing to deal with the aerial threat. Brentford's fourth goal was a result of a quick counter-attack from deep in their own penalty box, with Bryan Mbeumo finishing off the move.

Ripping up the playbook

The defeat had immediate consequences for Manchester United. Firstly, manager Erik ten Hag responded by canceling the players' scheduled day off and instead made them run 14 kilometers, symbolizing the difference in distance covered by United compared to Brentford during the match. In a display of unity, Ten Hag ran alongside the players.

Secondly, the club embarked on two emergency and costly transfers, acquiring Casemiro from Real Madrid and Antony from Ajax, amounting to approximately £155 million ($195 million) in total transfer fees.

However, the most significant impact was on the team's playing style. Ten Hag swiftly abandoned the approach he had initially implemented and opted for a more cautious, reactive style reminiscent of his predecessors Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Jose Mourinho.
In their subsequent matches, such as against Liverpool, United drastically reduced their possession percentages, yet emerged victorious. This trend continued against other opponents like Southampton, Leicester, and Arsenal, resulting in a series of wins.

Despite finishing third in the Premier League last season, United ranked sixth in terms of average possession, with 53.8% per game. They also ranked seventh in goals scored, tallying 59, the same as Brentford, and seventh in passing accuracy.

Onana's limited impact

There was anticipation that Manchester United would adopt a more expansive and possession-focused style under Erik ten Hag in his second season, especially after the club replaced David de Gea with Andre Onana, the goalkeeper from Ten Hag's Ajax tenure known for his proficiency in playing out from the back.

However, Onana's arrival hasn't led to a significant change in United's playing style. While he has demonstrated a willingness to take risks with the ball, he has occasionally faced setbacks, such as in the Champions League match against Galatasaray. Moreover, Onana has often resorted to launching the ball downfield due to the hesitancy of his defenders to build from the back.

Although Onana contributed to one goal, Marcus Rashford's strike against Manchester City, it was not the result of an intricate passing move orchestrated by him. Instead, it came from a long kick out of his hands that was chested down by Bruno Fernandes.

Among United's defenders, only Lisandro Martinez is sufficiently comfortable in possession to collaborate effectively with Onana, but Martinez has been sidelined for much of the season due to injury. Coincidentally, the Argentine could make his return from a knee injury in the upcoming match against Brentford.

Honouring United's DNA

Despite the arrival of Onana, Manchester United's departure from possession-oriented football has not only persisted into Erik ten Hag's second season but has accelerated. Currently, United are ranked ninth in possession statistics, averaging 50.1% possession per game. Ten Hag has openly acknowledged and addressed this shift in style.
During an interview with Viaplay last October, when questioned about when his United side would adopt a playing style akin to his Ajax team, Ten Hag responded emphatically: "Never. We will never play that football. Because those were different players. This is also not why I came here. We are playing different football than I showed at Ajax because I have to, because I can’t play the same way.
"That is not in the DNA of Manchester United at all. The football at Ajax is very typical, here we will play much more directly. We also have the players for that, especially in attack."
Ten Hag's remarks surprised many and were met with criticism, seen as him conceding on imposing his preferred style on the Red Devils. However, they also reflected a truth: Manchester United has historically favored a direct style of play, rooted in quick wing attacks dating back to the era of Sir Matt Busby's teams in the 1950s and 1960s.
Under Sir Alex Ferguson, United's hallmark was counter-attacking football, often executed through wingers like Ryan Giggs and Andrei Kanchelskis, later continued by players such as David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo. Ferguson's pragmatism in big matches meant the team rarely adopted an overtly attacking stance against top opponents, even at Old Trafford.
Louis van Gaal notably implemented possession football during his tenure at United, yet his reign is remembered more for dull, sideways passing, leading to fan dissatisfaction and concerns over season ticket renewals.

New beginning or false dawn?

However, Manchester United's achievements last season and glimpses of promise in the current campaign suggest that Erik ten Hag's playing style does indeed hold potential. As the Dutchman has consistently emphasized, his team can achieve consistency and positive results when all his key players are available. Despite claims to the contrary, Ten Hag asserts that he possesses the personnel necessary to execute his preferred style of play.

Players like Garnacho thrive on exploiting space during counter-attacks and are emerging as future stars for the team. Hojlund, though sidelined due to injury since February, was starting to find his rhythm within the squad. Additionally, Amad Diallo's impactful performance against Liverpool as a substitute demonstrated his ability to excel in a reactive system, showcasing his defensive contribution and ability to initiate rapid counter-attacks, as exemplified in his decisive play in the 121st minute of the match.

If Ten Hag can lead Manchester United back to the Champions League and secure the FA Cup, particularly by defeating Manchester City in the final, it would validate his ability to make his perceived "impossible" style of play work. With key players, particularly Garnacho, maintaining fitness, Ten Hag may well succeed in his endeavor.

The upcoming match at Brentford marks a significant juncture in United's season, symbolizing both Ten Hag's lowest point and his subsequent realization of the need for tactical adaptation. Saturday's outcome will provide insight into the trajectory of Ten Hag's project and its viability moving forward.