Thomas Frank felt his Brentford side improved as the game wore on but admitted Manchester United deserved to take all three points on Monday night.
The Bees had won three and drawn one of their last four Premier League games prior to their Old Trafford outing. But they returned south on the wrong end of a 3-0 scoreline. Bruno Fernandes put the Red Devils ahead in just the ninth minute.
There were no further goals during the first 45 minutes but Cristiano Ronaldo converted from the spot just after the hour mark. Raphael Varane bagged his first United goal on 72 minutes to make sure of the points.
The victory keeps United’s slim hopes of a top-four berth alive. But, five points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal and having played two more games than the Gunners, it is unlikely to happen.
Brentford sit 14th in the table and have 40 points to their name. A superb run of results in March and April pushed them away from the relegation zone.
Frank would have loved to have kept the unbeaten run going but acknowledged that his men encountered United on a good day.
“We played a Manchester United team who played well today, so congratulations to them,” he told Sky Sports. “I think we started well for the first five minutes but then Manchester United were on top.”
And the Dane felt his charges showed their true colours as the game developed.
“Second half I saw much more my team I want to see play,” he added. “We were back in the game but made a stupid penalty. It took a little bit out of everything and then we conceded on a set piece. Better second half.”
Frank wants star man back next season
Brentford have defied expectations in 2021-2022. They were tipped for relegation before a ball had been kicked.
But they have never been in the bottom three this term, even during an eight-game winless run. The arrival of Christian Eriksen on loan in January added some class to the side.
Frank was full of praise for the midfielder and hopes to keep his compatriot in…