Brentford 1-1 Manchester United: Thomas Frank says he ‘almost lost faith in the football god’ before late equaliser

Brentford manager Thomas Frank said he “almost lost faith in the football god” before his side snatched a late, dramatic draw with Manchester United.

But there was a late twist as defender Kristoffer Ajer equalised following Ivan Toney’s pass three minutes later.

“How we didn’t win this game is incredible. It was the most one-sided 1-1 game,” said Frank.

“There should have been only one winner in the game, that could only be us.

“Then you go 1-0 down in the 96th minute and you think football is brutal. I almost lost faith in the football god but he gave a bit back.”

Brentford are 15th in the Premier League table and this point takes them five clear of 18th-placed Luton Town in the relegation zone.

“We did everything we could but unfortunately this is football and only one point. We just need to keep going,” added Frank.

“It was not dropping for us but to have the mentality and character to come back into the game, these players are fantastic, I’m very proud of them.”

The result leaves United sixth but facing a battle to secure a Champions League return, 11 points behind fourth-placed Aston Villa and eight adrift of Tottenham in fifth.

United manager Erik ten Hag, whose side have an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley against Championship team Coventry City on 21 April to look forward to, admitted his side had been outplayed.

“Brentford were better than us,” said the Dutchman. “They showed more passion, desire and determination than we did.

“The quality of this team is they fight for it, but we have to show more. We scored the goal but then threw it off the line.

“We were winning in the end, maybe it wasn’t deserved but then you have to take the three points so it is very disappointing to draw the game.”

United had beaten Liverpool 4-3 after extra time in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup in their last match, but Ten Hag was unhappy with his team’s effort at the Gtech Community Stadium.

“Is it ever acceptable for other teams to show more passion and desire? No, never,” added Ten Hag.

“We showed it against Liverpool and in many games. We have to bring it on the pitch.

“We fought but in the small things, second balls etc, Brentford were more focused and more aggressive and it should be the other way round.”