LONDON: Eric ten Hag has made modern football history. Not since 1921 has a new United manager begun a season with two successive defeats. But that is the sum total of statistics after a dismal 4-0 Premier defeat at Brentford
The Dutchman now ranks with John Chapman after Brentford scored all four goals in the first 35 minutes.
to condemn Manchester United to a humiliating defeat at Gtech Community Stadium.
Josh Dasilva put the hosts ahead when his strike from distance somehow eluded United goalkeeper David de Gea.
Mathias Jensen doubled the lead after dispossessing former Brentford player Christian Eriksen, with Ben Mee and Bryan Mbeumo goals putting Thomas Frank’s side four up during an incredible first half in which they dismantled United in stunning fashion.
The defeat was United’s seventh in a row on the road – their worst run since 1936 – while it is the seventh time they have conceded at least four goals in a league game since the start of last season.
Ten Hag faces the unenviable task of lifting his players in time for the visit of Liverpool to Old Trafford on Monday, 22 August.
Arsenal made it consecutive victories to open the Premier League season as they beat Leicester 4-2 in North London.
Gabriel Jesus scored his first league goal for the Gunners with under 20 minutes played. The striker – surrounded by Leicester defenders – somehow found space in the box to curl his shot into the far corner.
His second fired them into a commanding position at the break.
Leicester hit back early in the second-half as Jamie Vardy’s pressure forced William Saliba to head the ball into his own net, but the joy was short-lived as Granit Xhaka restored Arsenal’s two-goal lead just minutes later.
It was an afternoon of frustration for the Foxes who again cut the deficit, this time through James Maddison in the 74th minute, only to concede moments later.
Aston Villa bounced back from opening weekend disappointment with a 2-1 victory over Everton in Saturday’s early kick-off.
Danny Ings’s well-taken goal fired Villa into the lead with just over half an hour played. Ollie Watkins had space out wide thanks to John McGinn’s long ball forward, and the cross hit Ings who turned and fired low into the Everton net.
Diego Carlos’ close-range header in the opening minutes went over the crossbar – that accounted for 71.4% of the hosts’ total first-half xG tally.
Emi Buendia fired in a second in the final ten minutes of play before a Lucas Digne own goal gave the away side some hope shortly after.
Brighton were unfortunate to be held to a 0-0 draw by Newcastle based on the chances created by both teams.
The home side enjoyed the better of the opportunities in a goalless first-half but could not convert the openings they were creating in attack.
Manchester City enjoyed a comfortable afternoon as they secured a 4-0 victory over promoted Bournemouth.
Having made an impact with two goals last weekend, Erling Haaland turned provider to play in Ilkay Gundogan to open the scoring with 19 minutes on the clock.
De Bruyne doubled the advantage with an outside of the boot effort into the far corner, before Phil Foden made it three as half-time approached.
Jefferson Lerma’s own goal was the only scoring action of the second-half.
Southampton came from 2-0 down to rescue a point in their home opener against Leeds.
Both sides had chances but Leeds will be worried after Patrick Bamford went off injured with under 30 minutes played – he made up 35.7% of their first-half xG.
Less than 60 seconds in the second-half, Rodrigo – who had been moved further forward at the break – converted Jack Harrison’s cross to give the visitors the lead.
He netted a second on the hour mark – contributing 62.1% of Leeds’ total xG at that stage. Joe Aribo pulled a goal back as Southampton pushed in the final 20 minutes.
Kyle Walker-Peters then levelled things up as he struck from close range (0.32 xG), in a result that scored highly on the fairness ratings. However, it was only a 6.9% chance the game would end 2-2.
Fulham failed to capitalise on a second-half penalty as they drew 0-0 with Wolves.
Aleksandar Mitrović missed the game’s biggest opportunity in the 81st minute when his penalty was saved by Wolves keeper Jose Sa.
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