Erik ten Hag names 'big disappointment' after Manchester United draw with Brentford

Erik ten Hag says his 'big disappointment' with Manchester United's draw with Brentford was that they didn't manage to hold onto their unexpected lead in the match.

United were second best throughout the encounter on Saturday night and could quite have easily have found themselves two or three goals down if not for some poor finishing from Brentford and some good goalkeeping from Andre Onana.

The game appeared to be heading for a goalless draw before Mason Mount put United ahead in the sixth minute of added time, but the joy was short lived as Kristoffer Ajer levelled the scores just three minutes later.

United would have been incredibly fortunate to take all three points from the match, and while Ten Hag admits his side produced a poor performance, he still believes they should have done better to hold onto the lead and get over the line.

Asked why there had been such a drop-off after their comeback win over Liverpool last time out, Ten Hag told reporters after the match: "You can never compare such levels, performances, but also when you don't play well you still have to win, we did it almost. That is my big disappointment that we didn't bring it over the line.

"We didn't play well but there was spirit, there was fight, but not enough. It was enough to get the goal, 1-0, and before that we had a big chance for Rasmus Hojlund."

United's dropped points were even harder to take given Tottenham and Aston Villa had both won earlier in the day, but Ten Hag still believes the point could yet turn out to be an important one in their quest for Champions League qualification.

He added: "Still many games to go but of course the points will be more expensive by the end, there should have been three, but now it's only one by the end we will know how it can work out, but it can be a big point at the end."