Dalot reveals Reds players stayed United

UNITED'S players were determined to show the world that they are a 'proper team' ahead of their thrilling comeback win against Brentford, with a sense of unity on show at Carrington after a disastrous start to the season.

- TYRONE MARSHALL

Successive Old Trafford defeats by Crystal Palace and Galatasaray had cranked up the pressure on a Reds side who had lost six of their first 10 games this season and, for most of Saturday afternoon, it looked like the Bees would make it three home defeats in a row in all competitions for United for the first time since 1962.

But trailing 1-0 in injury time, Scott McTominay scored twice to lift the roof off Old Trafford and buy Erik ten Hag and his players some breathing space during the international break. When McTominay's second goal hit the back of the net in the 97th minute, 10 Reds players celebrated together in front of the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand, while Diogo Dalot sank to his knees on the edge of the penalty area and punched the turf in a mixture of delight and relief.

After another difficult week, Dalot revealed the mood had remained upbeat at Carrington since Tuesday and that there was a desire to show they remain a team on Saturday, something epitomised by McTominay, who only came onto the pitch in the 87th minute.