Football's famously a funny old game – and Brentford's thriller of a draw with Manchester United on Saturday certainly was!

The Bees swarmed all over their illustrious opponents during a seriously impressive display that saw Thomas Frank's side fire in a whopping 31 shots and take more touches in the opposition's box (85) than any team in the Premier League this season.

Frank was quite right when he described the performance after the game as "one or two levels higher than the 4-0 win against them", referring to last season's home fixture, and yet the Bees were just minutes away from defeat deep into stoppage-time.

Brentford played largely on the counter in the first period, soaking up pressure from Erik ten Hag's side before causing considerable problems of their own going forward – Ivan Toney hitting the post with a low strike and Zanka thumping a header against the bar as the Bees attacked the east stand.

After the break, Frank's side leapt on to the front foot and played the game even more on their own terms, their intelligent pressing and probing yielding further chances, which included a Yoane Wissa strike that clipped a post and a full-blooded volley from Bryan Mbeumo that cannoned back off the crossbar.

In total, the Bees hit the woodwork an incredible four times against the Red Devils meaning they have now been denied by the frame of the goal on 10 occasions this season – only Fulham (11) and Liverpool (15) thwarted on more occasions.

As Brentford's head afterwards noted, the “football gods” appeared to be conspiring against the Bees and the home side were left staring down the barrel of an undeserved defeat when United substitute Mason Mount gave the visitors the lead with a clinical left-footed finish in the 96th minute.

To their immense credit, the Bees plugged away and a lovely bit of play from Toney saw the England international pull a cross back into the path of defender Kristoffer Ajer, who gleefully converted from close range in the 99th minute to earn the west Londoners a breathless point.

102 minutes of football. Four strikes against the woodwork. Two goals. A whole lot of drama!

There were outstanding performances all over the park from a Brentford side looking to ease themselves away from the relegation zone: the rapier-like bursts of Wissa causing havoc, Keane Lewis-Potter combining attacking menace with defensive nous on the left and goalscorer Ajer confining United striker Rasmus Højlund to the role of frustrated bystander.

At the heart of the action was Brentford's outstanding midfield duo of Vitaly Janelt and Mathias Jensen. The Bees' midfield were facing off against Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay and young prodigy Kobbie Mainoo for much of the game and still controlled the middle of the park with the later introduction of former Real Madrid man Casemiro.

Janelt, in particular, had some impressive numbers. Only Zanka made more passes (58) than the German, while Janelt's five successful tackles put him ahead of everyone else on the pitch.

Alongside Janelt, Mathias Jansen made six key passes for his side and ended the game with an impressive 84 per cent pass completion – top for his side alongside goalscoring hero Ajer.

The fact that Brentford didn't end up winning is another example of the recurring bad luck that seems to have been present all season.

Considering that, as Frank said, Brentford “destroyed Man United in many ways”, you have to wonder whether someone at the club has been walking under ladders, smashing mirrors and letting black cats cross their path all at the same time.

But if Brentford continue to play like this then eventually, they'll get the wins they deserve.