Thomas Frank insists Brentford’s huge 4-0 win over Manchester United should not come as a surprise.
Last season, the Brentford Community Stadium proved a difficult place to go for the biggest names in the Premier League. Arsenal, Liverpool and Tottenham all dropped points in west London, while Chelsea and United were lucky to come away with a win.
Now renamed the Gtech Community Stadium, little else has changed heading into the difficult second season in the top flight.
As bad as United were on Saturday, Frank’s side executed their game plan to perfection, with the fourth goal displaying the kind of fierce attacking quality Brentford have become famous for, as well as their ability to make the most of set-pieces.
When United escaped there with a 3-2 victory back in January, Frank insisted Ralf Rangnick’s side were “unbelievably lucky” after Brentford had “destroyed” them.
On Saturday, that luck that ran out and, perhaps unsurprisingly, Brentford’s performance came as no shock to their manager.
“I understand people looking from the outside and not knowing us that well, but people in the club and who follow us closely should not find it a surprise,” the Brentford boss told talkSPORT.
“I know 4-0 is a surprise, but it should not be a surprise that we are capable of winning over Manchester United.
“I’m not saying we will do that every day as United have top players and I think we saw that last year.
“I’d refer back to the two games last year where we lost 3-1 and 3-0, especially at Old Trafford Man United were better than us.
“Both games there were examples of why we managed to get a remarkable win on Saturday night.
“The first game I think we were completely on top of the game against Man United at home last year, until the first goal around the 60th minute.
“We pressed high in that first half, created chances, and should have scored. Okay, Man United showed their quality at 1-0 up, changed the momentum and won it from there.
“Away, not much to speak about there. Well done to Manchester United.
“In the 83rd minute, this is the first clip I showed the players, away to Man United, we have a set-piece, United win it and we sprint back… all the players.
“A few seconds later we have all 11 players behind the ball. That is culture. You don’t create that overnight.
“That culture made us have an opportunity to beat Man United on Saturday night and we did.
“Of course, we are extremely proud. It was not a 4-0 win, but we are proud.”
