Erik ten Hag is breathing again.

The Manchester United manager has spent much of the last two weeks facing speculation about his future and although he remained in charge during the visit to Brentford, defeat would have been hard to bear.

The Dutchman would have feared the worst after Ethan Pinnock's controversial opener in first-half injury time, but a spirited recovery after the break – capped by goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund – gave him much-needed breathing room.

We analyze the key talking points from Old Trafford.

Is Ten Hag safe now?

At Old Trafford, those two minutes at the end of the first half felt like a manager's fate-sealing moment.

Your towering centre-back Matthijs de Ligt – the one you personally campaigned to sign – is being treated off the pitch, leaving you helpless to stop the opposition's towering centre-back from scoring a header at a set-piece.

Ten Hag was understandably angry. It felt like the end. The chances of a fightback in the second half seemed slim.

But against all odds, that's exactly what United delivered. Not only did they turn the game on its head, but once they were in the lead, they handled the closing stages relatively well – something this team hasn't been told often in the past.

Ten Hag bought himself more time at Manchester United (Michael Regan/Getty Images)

And for all the criticism of Ten Hag and his players, this was – like in the FA Cup final or in Porto a few weeks ago – further proof that this team is not backing down.

Whether Ten Hag is the right manager to lead the club forward shouldn't be based on a result, but the results are Ten Hag's way out of the mess that has been United's start to the season. This comeback will make it easier to control him and has certainly kept him safe, at least for now.

Mark Critchley

Why were United angry about De Ligt's head injury?

Ten Hag has spent most of 2024 bemoaning defensive injuries, but few have had as immediate dire consequences as the one De Ligt suffered against Brentford.

The problems began in the 11th minute when De Ligt collided with Kevin Schade's knee, inflicting a cut on his head. He spent four minutes receiving treatment on the sidelines before returning to the field.

(Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)

De Ligt passed concussion protocols and had his wound treated, but had to leave the pitch twice more in the first half when referee Sam Barrott noticed blood still flowing from the cut. The third time De Ligt left the pitch came late in first-half stoppage time when Ten Hag's men saved a corner.

(Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

As De Ligt watched hesitantly from the sidelines, Pinnock sprinted past his handler Diogo Dalot and headed in a set-piece from Mikkel Damsgaard at the near post.

(Michael Regan/Getty Images)

The concession and the fact that De Ligt couldn't prevent it infuriated player Ten Hag and his assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy on the touchline.

(Gareth Copley/Getty Images)

It certainly raised several pointed questions. Why didn't United's medical team bandage De Ligt's head on the first try? Why was the corner allowed to go forward while De Ligt left the pitch? And why did Barrott send the Dutchman for further treatment?

At least the answer to the third question is clearly formulated in the IFAB regulations:

“The referee… ensures that any bleeding player leaves the field of play. The player is not allowed to re-enter until he receives a signal from the referee. This person must make sure that the bleeding has stopped and that there is no blood on the equipment.”

De Ligt returned for the second half after further treatment. Ultimately, the controversy was forgotten given United's second-half recovery.

Carl Anka

Garnacho ends goal drought

There was a moment towards the end of the first half when Hojlund stepped on Nathan Collins' foot, sending the Brentford defender agonizingly to the ground.

Hojlund, as is always the case with sport, called for the game to be stopped so Collins could receive treatment, but as the game continued and the ball was played into his feet, he came to life and shot narrowly wide.

When the ball went out of play, he again asked for help from Collins. It was all a bit too nice from the striker and his side spent much of the first half showing their courtesy before Mark Flekken's goal rather than forcing the issue.

United managed ten shots in the first half, but come half time United had a cumulative xG of 0.28 compared to Brentford's 0.83 (for those unfamiliar with stats, that's not good).

For this reason, Garnacho's goal – excellently prepared by a cross pass from Marcus Rashford – provided significant relief. United have often been a confident side in 2024 and the powerful equalizer encouraged Ten Hag's side to force the issue and disrupt Brentford's build-up pattern.

(Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)

Hojlund finally scored in the 62nd minute, capping a clever move that saw United pressurize Brentford deep in their own half before Lisandro Martinez won possession and won it back. A deft, line-breaking pass from Christian Eriksen left the Brentford defenders flat-footed before a shot from Bruno Fernandes freed the Denmark international in the box and he beat Flekken.

United haven't been a particularly prolific goalscorer under Ten Hag, but in Garnacho they have a winger who is willing to take a chance and test the goalkeepers whenever possible. The Argentine finished the game with five shots on goal, one shot off target and two more shots that were blocked.

His persistent ball-handling always gives his team the opportunity to fall behind, and his combination play with Rashford and Hojlund has potential. United needed time to find their shooting boots on Saturday. Garnacho tested Flekken until his teammates found them.

Carl Anka

How did fans react to Sir Alex Ferguson's “exit”?

There was no Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford, as one might later expect The athlete announced this week that United have ended their role as club ambassadors as part of INEOS's drastic cuts, effective at the end of the season.

Instead, the Scot reflected on his old club Aberdeen's trip to Celtic Park, but his presence was still felt the Sir Matt Busby Way as a group of fans in the Stretford End loudly chanted “Every single one of us loves Alex.” “Ferguson” chanted for several minutes in the first half.

Sir Alex Ferguson looks at Aberdeen's trip to Celtic (Craig Williamson/SNS Group via Getty Images)

It was a reminder, if needed, that although Ferguson will no longer be contractually linked to this club for the first time in almost 40 years, his legacy is indelible and United's present will always be judged by the standards he set in the past.

Mark Critchley

What's next for Manchester United?

Thursday, October 24th: Fenerbahce (A), Europa League, 8pm UK, 3pm ET

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(Top photo: Oli Scarff/AFP via Getty Images)