Manchester United were denied an undeserved victory at Brentford as Kristoffer Ajer’s 99th-minute equaliser salvaged a 1-1 draw in a thrilling finale.
Mason Mount thought he had won it for United in stoppage-time with his first goal for the club in the 96th minute against the run of play but Brentford finally scored three minutes later with their 31st shot of the game through Ajer. United were woeful until that late stage.
Brentford will wonder how they did not take any of their myriad of chances before United took the lead. They struck the frame of the goal four times, while Andre Onana produced a fine double save to deny Yehor Yarmoliuk and Keane Lewis-Potter. That was just the tip of the iceberg.
Wins for Aston Villa and Tottenham mean United are eight points adrift of fifth after being played off the park by a side just five points above the relegation zone and without a win in their last seven. Brentford somehow, after 31 shots, did not win.
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Mason Mount scores his first goal for Manchester United against Brentford in the 96th minute.
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Kristoffer Ajer equalises for Brentford in the final minutes of the game against Manchester United.
Watch Brentford’s best chances
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Ivan Toney comes within inches of putting Brentford ahead as he hits the post against Manchester United.
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Mathias Jorgensen fails to find the target as he heads it over the bar for Brentford.
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Brentford test Manchester United in the second half as Onana is forced to make double save.
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Yoane Wissa volley veers wide as Brentford fail to find target against Manchester United.
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For the third time this evening, Brentford hit the post against Manchester United as Bryan Mbeumo finds the cross bar.
What’s next?
Brentford host Brighton on Wednesday night, with kick-off at 7.30pm, before travelling to Aston Villa next Saturday for a 3pm start.
Manchester United have another date in west London as they go to Chelsea on Thursday evening, kick-off at 8.15pm. Attention then turns to a heavyweight clash with Liverpool at Old Trafford nex Sunday, with kick-off at 3.30pm.