Frank ‘destroyers’ denied

THOMAS FRANK was left frustrated as Brentford were beaten 3-1 last night after “destroying” Manchester United in the first half.

For all their fine work, Frank’s side lacked a composed and clinical touch in the final third, the sort that Christian Eriksen would certainly bring.

Brentford have offered Eriksen a chance to return to the Premier League, following his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020 last summer, and how Frank must have wished he could have counted on his fellow Dane’s quality last night.

The Bees dominated the opening 45 minutes but Mathias Jensen spurned two golden chances before United showed a ruthless touch in front of goal to score three goals in 22 second-half minutes. Ivan Toney pulled one back late on but the damage had already been done.

Frank said: “Of United’s three goals, the second is most disappointing and

difficult to come back from. The way we smashed them in the first half was fantastic, so proud of my team.”

Jensen blew two one-on-one openings, volleying wide after two minutes and then firing straight at David De Gea. The 26-year-old could well have had three goals before United opened the scoring through Anthony Elanga in the 55th minute. Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford put the visitors further ahead.

With 10 goals now conceded in his side’s past three games, Frank may hope a player like Eriksen, with a touch of class in the final third, can lift the pressure on a leaky back line.