Danish Manchester United fans think again after Thomas Frank’s Brentford thump Red Devils

There is an old joke that the way to save the planet is to reduce the carbon footprint by playing Manchester United’s home games in London. To be fair, it’s mostly told by Londoners who support their local sides and the claim could be equally true of Liverpool.

Both Northwest clubs have massive worldwide supports and this is as true in Denmark as it is anywhere else. However recently, another club has come to the forte in EPL mad Denmark. That club is of course Brentford FC, whose Viking DNA has been on the increase since Dane Thomas Frank arrived as manager.

Not only has Frank taken the Middlesex club to its most successful era in recent history, he has imported several of his fellow countrymen to assist the cause. Danish internationals Mathias Jensen, Mikkel Damsgaard, Mads Bech Sørensen, Mathias Jørgensen and Christian Nørgaard play for the Bees, while Luka Racic and Mads Roerslev have played for Denmark at every age level except the senior team.

Naturally this has peaked the interest of Danish fans, who have no shortage of access to the top English division on their various cable and online outlets.

The Bees have turned into one of the most exciting sides that the Premier League has to offer, particularly after they thumped United 4-0 last weekend at the Gtech Community Stadium.

Danish journalist Kristian Porse spoke to Prost International on how Frank’s side have captivated the interest of football fans from the Scandinavian country.

“I think in the last couple of years, there has definitely been a lot of interest because of the Danish players and also Thomas Frank, the head coach.

“And especially when Christian Eriksen went there last season in the spring, the interest got higher, so it’s big.”

Frank has been at the helm at Brentford since 2018, having previously managed his country’s youth sides and Brondby in the Danish top flight. He initially started as an assistant head coach there in 2016 but when Dean Smith left, Frank took charge.

The 48-year-old soon guided Brentford back to the top tier of English football, and did well to maintain their status in the Premier League thanks to an impressive 2021/22 campaign.

Such success has allowed him to make a good impression on those back home in Denmark.

“It’s very good from the Danish side, and I think also from the English side. The feeling is very good.

“He didn’t have that much success when he was a coach in the Danish league, but he definitely showed himself in England and he is respected in Denmark now.”

There is plenty of interest in the Premier League from Danish fans and with Manchester United being one of the world’s biggest clubs, there are bound to be Danes who support the Red Devils.

A hefty defeat away at Brentford ensured the continuation of their poor start to the new season, having lost 2-1 at home to Brighton on the opening weekend of fixtures prior to the thrashing last Saturday. Former Bee Eriksen signed for United this summer, and it is fair to say his return to west London was far from what he had hoped for.

Kristian spoke on the reaction of their fans after the loss, with United currently sitting rock bottom of the Premier League table.

“I think right now Manchester United, which is a very supported team in Denmark, the fans are very devastated and the result last Saturday was, I think, the final thing for many of them.

“I think many of them are ‘enough is enough’, the season is new and the hope is already gone for many fans. It was a devastating result for many.”

There is a sense of optimism surrounding Brentford at the moment after their opening two results, a stark contrast to the situation at Old Trafford.

Frank’s side travel to Fulham on Saturday for a west London derby on matchday three of the Premier League, whilst Erik ten Hag’s United host arch rivals Liverpool, a clash that will see either one of the giants of English football go winless in their first three fixtures of the season come full-time.

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