To save himself from humiliation, Mike Dean formally acknowledged that he did not request that on-field referee Anthony Taylor go to the pitch-side screen to correct an error in a Premier League match from the previous season. This week, he threw a custard pie in his own face.
United’s penchant for giving up goals late in the game and in quick succession is also unacceptable. There were goals in the 110th and 111th minutes at Brentford following an equalizer that went past Andre Onana in the 99th.
Mauricio Pochettino stormed onto the field with his staff. Skeptically, Erik ten Hag crept down the tunnel. There can be no more doubt, if there ever was any. There is not a mindset on this United team to make it to the Champions League.
This was ultimately evidence to add to the ‘Ten Hag out’ dossier, even in one of United’s better performances of a chaotic campaign. Once more, United was eliminated at the last second after conceding goals of a familiar kind. At the last shrill, Antony looked on the verge of tears.
United played at a level that suggested there was a “process” Ten Hag mentioned during his pre-match press conference on Wednesday. They were magnificently supported by the deafening din from the away section of the Shed End.
This appeared to be another of United’s trademark 3-2 comeback victories after trailing 2-0. Even with Chelsea ahead 2-0, there were positive aspects of their performance, so they weren’t in vain. Full of steel and silk, United dealt with more defensive injuries and brought on 19-year-old Willy Kambwala for a close look.
Ten Hag has occasionally overreached himself by bemoaning United’s lack of luck, and Moises Caicedo gave them a severe cut. As more time passed, United was “Ole”ing. Palmer had to use hatchet man techniques to deal with Diogo Dalot. How Palmer must have been inspired by that. This was the most unbelievable of a season filled with unbelievable finales.
Ten Hag won’t be too comforted by the fact that United’s supporters saw the best of them all evening. Alejandro Garnacho narrowly avoided crowd surfing in the away end, and Casemiro held Ten Hag in a clinch. Harry Maguire politely declined the festivities in favor of a touchline conference call.
Garnacho called on the United fans to sing Antony’s praises. The Brazilian had his best game yet while wearing a United shirt, and his recall was crucial. It makes sense why he was devastated by the ending.
Though it would be premature to herald this as a change of leadership, Ten Hag must be privately relishing Antony’s impact in Marcus Rashford’s absence. Although Ten Hag stated Rashford’s demotion was due to rotation, he will undoubtedly be added to the roster for Sunday’s match against Liverpool.
