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Keith Andrews ‘bitterly disappointed’ as defeat to Man Utd sees Brentford’s European hopes fade

Keith Andrews was left ‘bitterly disappointed’ as a 2-1 defeat to Man Utd sees Brentford’s European hopes fade.

Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko put the hosts into a 2-0 lead following a number of wasteful chances from Brentford in the first half.

Mathias Jensen got one back for the Bees as full time was approaching, Mikkel Damsgaard also seeing a late header straight at United keeper Senne Lammens.

The result sees Man Utd 3rd in the Premier League, with 61 points from 34 games played, 3 points ahead of 4th place Liverpool and 5th place Aston Villa.

Brentford are 9th with 48 points from 34 games played and miss the chance to climb into 6th, now a point below 7th place Bournemouth, as is 8th place Chelsea and 10th place Fulham.

Brentford boss Keith Andrews, said to Match of the Day, as per BBC Sport’s live blog: “Bitterly disappointed. Overall our performance was very good. As a collective we went toe-to-toe with a good side and controlled large parts of the game. They were more clinical than us.”

On going 2-0 down after impressive spells: “The second goal was disappointing. After the first goal we got a grip of the game. The second goal was a bitter one to swallow. I have to say the attitude of the group was really impressive.”

On Man Utd’s half-time change to nullify Brentford’s threat: “We controlled nearly all of the second half. The belief and the courage we played with created opportunities but unfortunately we could only take one of those. It came a tad too late but we kept going in every aspect of the game. The boys gave everything.”

On fighting for European football: “There is absolute belief in everything we do. We are not playing safe, I don’t want us to be that team. We set up in a brave fashion against a top team tonight and unfortunately we couldn’t quite get there'”

Keith Andrews, said to Sky Sports: “Pleased with the performance. They started better than we did and we were on the back foot. But after that a top reaction. I thought we were outstanding for large parts of the game but we couldn’t take our opportunities.

“I enjoyed watching us play in every aspect after that first 10 minutes. The bravery and courage we showed, to come somewhere like this and play in that manner shows a good step in the right direction. The next step is being clinical and ruthless.

“Anyone that watches us will see we are a team with a lot of spirit. We have a nice click around the group. We fight hard but you have to earn results in this division. We have been on a really food journey this year that allows us to come to a ground like this and play in that manner.”

On the race for Europe and going six games without a win: “I saw a lot of confidence tonight. I saw personality, a team that is doing everything it can to get results.”

Nathan Collins to Sky Sports: “We started the game a bit slow. They gained momentum. They scored the first but from then on, I thought we were the better team. Thought we controlled possession.

“We felt like there was a lot of positives to take [after the first half]. And second half, we didn’t have much to lose. We were already losing 2-0 so we thought we could just have a right go for it. I thought we dominated create a lot of chances throughout the game, so it’s a frustrating result to take.

“There was that belief all the way to the end, getting the goal back. And it was there still with all the players, then to think we’ve got to get something, got to get that equaliser right at the end in a team that wants to attack, wants to go to the end. It was a tough one to take, because we felt like we did create a lot of good chances.”

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick, speaking to Match of the Day: “It was open at times. We started fantastically well. We managed the game and had to see it out. We were pushed tonight but it’s the time of year where results are even more important.”

On the fast start with Casemiro’s goal: “He’s scored some big goals for us. Bruno, Harry and Casemiro have a good relationship. We wanted to come out and start quick and look dangerous and creative and we did that.”

On scoring the second at a good time: “Just before half-time put us in a good position. The game was never dead. We controlled it with the change at half-time and looked more control and solid. We could have gone for more but I thought there were certain spaces we needed to control better. The boys showed a lot of experience to see the game out. It was a big three points for us and off the back of the Leeds game two wins is great.”

On almost securing a Champions League return: “It wasn’t a given, at certain stages we weren’t favourites. Now we are in a good position and want to finish as high in the league as we want to keep pushing for that.”

Carrick, speaking to Sky Sports: “It was quite an open game at times. We started fantastically well. Credit to them, they are a good team and we knew they were a good team. They came into the game a little bit and were in a good place at half-time so we tweaked things second half. Towards the end they had a few opportunities but I thought the spirit, effort and togetherness of the players was fantastic. It’s the time of year when it’s a result business and we needed to take points.”

On the half-time change: “We were going to make it anyway. There were certain spaces we needed to cover a bit better and it had a good effect. It was purely tactical.”

On another assist for Bruno Fernandes: “We have scored nearly every game and Bruno is a big part of that. He could have maybe had one more [assist] and scored himself.”

On seeing the game out after Brentford pulled a goal back: “It’s a tough finish in a tough league. To get the amount of wins we have, we are delighted with that. Today was all about the three points for us. It’s another win. We have an important game coming up and we can look forward to that.”

Here’s the social media reaction with Keith Andrews ‘bitterly disappointed’ as defeat to Man Utd sees Brentford’s European hopes fade…

@BrentfordHive:
Thoughts from today’s game:
1: We’ve only made 2 unforced subs in the last 4 games.
2: Thiago should’ve scored today, had 3 great chances.
3: Wingers nonexistent again. Dango had his moments but nothing from #7.
4: Ajer and Donovan – what more can they do?
5: Europe bottled

@AntBallard1: Only thing we missed today was the finish. Could has scored 3 first half and at least 1 or 2 the second half. Night to forget for Thiago and Dango had a dreadful game. Really really poor for our most expensive signing .. Europe dream I think is over for this season

@TheEalingRoad: Decent after we went behind but absolutely toothless in front of goal and we got punished for it. Of all the losses this season, that is right up there with the most frustrating. Defending abysmal at times. What Ajer needs to do to start is beyond me – Collins in desperate need of a rest. Midfield put a shift in but were let down by teammates at either end of the pitch. Europe looking like it’ll be too much for these players at the moment… ✍️ MJ

@JVBFC07: I think the last three or so games you can’t really fault Keith’s system or how we played. Can you fault his game management ofc although he’s had limited resources and it would be nice to see the youth play. Think ajer has to come into team next week

@fifferh: Thiago with 3 uncharacteristic messes right in front of goal. Summarises the last couple weeks. We build up so well and create the chances but we just always find a way to cock it up. we’ve made an absolute farce of this. all over them and waste every chance, and then we give away even bigger chances from half as many opportunities. shocking. Actually thought we were competitive that game. Problem is at the moment we need to create 20 clear cut chances to make a goal happen but only need to give way 2 to concede 1. Need to start encouraging Jensen, and Dams tbf, to start taking those pot shots from 25 yards more often. If they score 1 every 5 games it could be making a difference and it wouldn’t hurt to mix it up a bit and be a bit less predictable. Btw, when put your feelings about his availability aside, Nelson coming on and actually looking like he wanted the ball is what we should expect from all our wingers. But none of them do it. A shoulder barge could snap him in half but he’s still more willing to get on the ball.

@joshh_bfc: Do our players intentionally aim to not clear the first man from corners? For all the harsh criticisms of Andrews, his agenda against Ajer with these morons starting every week is pathetic. Best centre back sat on the bench, despite Collins and Sepp not doing a single thing to actually justify even being ahead of Pinnock right now If we responded to games like this by throwing everything at it and getting youngsters on, I’d have respect for Keith even if results didn’t change. But instead we’ve made absolutely certain that this is the most depressing and half hearted end to a European battle imaginable. With Europe within touching distance, we’ve gone on a winless run only bettered by Burnley. And yet we aren’t allowed to make criticisms because the shit cunts the manager happily chooses to start every single game shockingly underperform every game.

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