Manchester United appeared to have performed a smash-and-grab against Brentford after Mason Mount's goal, but Erik ten Hag's side failed to hold on just seconds later as the two teams shared the spoils.
The Red Devils appeared to turn a corner before the international break with a couraegous win over Liverpool in the FA Cup.
That day saw a United side that worked together as a cohesive unit to frustrate Liverpool as well as showcase their true attacking prowess.
It was exactly the kind of performance Ten Hag will want to expect on a regular basis.
Rasmus Hojlund had a quiet evening against Brentford
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But they failed to turn up at the Gtech Community Stadium against a Brentford side still trying to fend off relegation.
On another day, Brentford could have embarrassed United as they tallied up a dozens of shots that failed to hit the mark.
Ivan Toney had a rare off day in front of goal otherwise he would have ended the game with at least a hat-trick.
For United, three familiar problems cropped back up for Ten Hag and he'll want them rectified soon.
The Old Trafford outfit spent the majority of the first half struggling to find a way to get Rasmus Hojlund into games before it all began to click around the festive period.
The 21-year-old was kept extremely quiet with United failing to get things going in attack.
United's defensive unit was also left extremely exposed throughout the match with Bryan Mbeumo and Yoane Wissa finding plenty of space in the middle of the pitch.
Ten Hag still doesn't appear entirely confident with his midfield unit despite the emergence of Kobbie Mainoo.
At just 18 years of age, Mainoo can't be expected to do it all for United if their backs are against the wall.
A plan B is needed, but Ten Hag clearly feels he doesn't have the right options available to do so.
The most worrying problem against Brentford was United's lack of desire to win the ball back.
Ivan Toney let Manchester United off with a rare poor show in front of goal
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Former United star Dion Dublin went off at his old club for not working together as a unit.
"As an ex-Manchester United player, what’s hurting me most is the reaction to when they lose the ball," he said at half-time.
"When they do it’s very much ‘oh, one of my team-mates will get it back’.
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Mason Mount's strike counted for nothing in the end
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"It’s not good enough. I don’t care who you’re playing for, whether it’s Manchester United or Brentford, if you lose the ball you get it back.
"And I’ve not seen it from Manchester United, it’s disappointing to see."
Jamie Redknapp was even more brutal in his analysis, adding: "They have been so bad tonight. I cannot believe the lack of effort, spark, desire to win individual battles, to make things happen in that team."
It was very nearly the perfect result from the worst display when substitute Mount scored with just a few minutes remaining.
But Brentford were back level just seconds later as United failed to hold on for the lead, leaving Ten Hag with bigger problems to solve this coming week.
