Published: 17:30 EDT, 20 October 2024 | Updated: 17:55 EDT, 20 October 2024
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When Rasmus Hojlund limped off after scoring against Arsenal in Los Angeles this summer, we didn't expect it would be another two months before the Manchester United striker was back in action.
Leny Yoro's broken metatarsal on his debut became the bigger story that day, with Hojlund's hamstring injury at the SoFi Stadium given second billing.
As United have rather stumbled into the new season, short on goals and lacking in guts, the Dane's absence has been keenly felt though.
Erik ten Hag's side came into this game with just five goals between them in seven Premier League outings - one less than Brentford's Bryan Mbuemo - so it was obvious where the main problem lay.
Having scored on his comeback against FC Porto in Europe earlier this month, Hojlund claimed his first league goal of the season as United came from behind to win.
Rasmus Hojlund scored his first Premier League goal of the season as Manchester United came from behind to beat Brentford on Saturday
Ten Hag will also have been encouraged by the way he linked up play with Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford, who combined for the equaliser after Ethan Pinnock had headed Brentford in front before half-time.
Garnacho, whose side-footed finish was equally special, has been United's most potent attacking threat in Hojlund's absence this season while Rashford is looking more like his old self.
'It was an annoying time to get the injury, but I feel great now and feel ready to move on,' said Hojlund.
'I tried to focus on (the fact) that I'm very privileged to be a professional footballer. Obviously, there's downsides and upsides, and we get criticised, but also sometimes we are superstars.
'All in all, I'm living the dream every day. I'm playing for Manchester United, and having the No.9 on my back. It's a good life. I think I'm in a great spot right now.'
Hojlund inherited the shirt made famous by the likes of Sir Bobby Charlton and Andy Cole from Anthony Martial in the summer.
MATCH FACTS AND RATINGS MAN UTD (4-2-3-1): Onana 6.5; Dalot 6, De Ligt 7, Evans 6.5 (Lindelof 89), Martinez 7; Eriksen 6.5, Casemiro 6 (Ugarte 88); Rashford 7, Fernandes 6.5, Garnacho 8 (Mazraoui 90+1); Hojlund 7 (Zirkzee 74, 5). Subs not used: Bayindir, J Fletcher, Diallo, Wheatley, Antony
Scorers: Garnacho 47, Hojlund 62
Booked: Evans, Dalot
Manager: Erik ten Hag 7
BRENTFORD (4-2-3-1): Flekken 6; Van den Berg 5 (Roerslev 87), Collins 6.5, Pinnock 7, Ajer 5.5; Norgaard, Janelt 6 (Yarmoliuk 75, 6); Mbeumo 5, Damsgaard 6, Lewis-Potter 5 (Wissa 66, 6); Schade 6.5 (Carvalho 74, 6). Subs not used: Konak, Mee, Meghoma, Trevitt, Valdimarsson
Scorer: Pinnock 45+5
Booked: Ajer, Norgaard
Manager: Thomas Frank 6
Referee: Sam Barrott 6.5
Alejandro Garnacho (left) led United's comeback with a stunning volley at the back-post
Victory has taken some of the heat off Ten Hag as he heads to Istanbul this week for a meeting with Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce in the Europa League.
The United manager was furious that Matthijs de Ligt was sent to the touchline to have a head cut treated for the third time when Pinnock scored from a corner, although it's hard to see what other choice referee Sam Barrott had.
Ten Hag and his assistant Ruud van Nistelrooy were booked for protesting and the FA may take a closer look at first-team coach Darren Fletcher's half-time rant at the officials in the tunnel.