Manchester United would be happy to completely write-off the remaining Premier League games with full focus on Thursday and Europa League action. A trip to Brentford who are hitting a run of form and pushing for European qualification wouldn’t have been the ideal choice for Amorim’s side, which is what led to various rotation selection decisions, and almost a half-hearted fightback towards the closing stages.

The game was another chaotic outing for United that we’re coming to expect. Letting their hosts go 4-1 up and then having to chase the game late on, relying on youth and individual moments of brilliance really summed up everything we’ve seen of United in recent years. While fans won’t look too much on this result with Thursday being the key focus, the result marks a significant point as United lose their 16th league game of the season and guarantee a bottom-half finish.

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Teams

Amorim broke yet more records with his starting XI, opting for United’s youngest every starting XI and the 3rd youngest of any Premier League team. With Amass, Obi-Martin, Fredricson and even Mainoo and Garnacho who are still very much youngsters in the side, and back-up keeper Bayindir taking the starting spot, it was pretty clear the plan was to protect the senior names in the squad ahead of Thursday. While De Ligt came away with an injury that could cause him to miss the last few weeks of the season, the rest of the squad look fairly unscathed, and more minutes for Amad gives United a big threat in an attacking sense as the season concludes.

For Brentford, their big hitters were good to go from the start as they push for the European places. With a dangerous front-line filled with huge underrated talents, it was a strong performance from the entire forward-line that caused United problems all game.

Brentford: Flekken, Lewis-Potter (Ajer 81′), Van Den Berg, Collins, Kayode (Gomes 81′), Yarmolyuk (Jensen 68′), Norgaard, Schade (Henry 72′), Damsgaard (Thiago 81′), Mbeumo, Wissa

Subs: Valdimarsson, Mee, Pinnock, Konak

Manchester United: Bayindir, Shaw (Yoro 46′), De Ligt (Maguire 35′), Fredricson (Lindelof 76′), Amass, Mainoo, Ugarte, Dorgu (Amad 46′), Garnacho, Mount (Eriksen 57′), Obi-Martin

Subs: Heaton, Fernandes, Casemiro, Hojlund

Brentford 4-3 Manchester United

Brentford edged a pulsating seven-goal thriller against Manchester United on Sunday, prevailing 4–3 at the Gtech Community Stadium to keep their European ambitions alive. Kevin Schade was the standout performer, netting two headers as the Bees capitalised on United’s defensive frailties. The visitors, prioritising their upcoming Europa League semi-final, fielded their youngest-ever Premier League starting XI, and despite a spirited late rally, they succumbed to a club-record 16th league defeat of the season.

United struck first through Mason Mount, who ended a 400-day goal drought with a composed finish in the 14th minute. However, Brentford responded emphatically, with Schade’s aerial prowess turning the tide. Yoane Wissa added another for the hosts, exploiting United’s vulnerability to set-pieces, a weakness manager Ruben Amorim later attributed to his side’s lack of height. An injury to De Ligt further hampered United’s efforts, leaving them exposed at the back ahead of the final run-in of the season.

Late goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo gave United hope, but Brentford held firm to secure their third consecutive victory. The result lifts Thomas Frank’s side to ninth place, bolstering their hopes of European qualification. In contrast, United’s domestic struggles continue, with the club enduring its worst-ever Premier League season. Amorim now faces the challenge of rallying his young squad ahead of the crucial Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Bilbao.

Talking Points

Manchester United’s 4–3 defeat to Brentford on Sunday was notable not only for the score line but also for the youthfulness of the team fielded. Manager Rúben Amorim, with an eye on the upcoming Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Bilbao, opted for a heavily rotated side. This line-up featured 17-year-old Chido Obi-Martin, who became the youngest player ever to start a Premier League match for United at 17 years and 156 days. The average age of the starting XI was just under 23, marking it as the youngest in the club’s Premier League history.

The loss to Brentford marked United’s 16th league defeat of the season, setting a new club record for most losses in a Premier League campaign. This surpasses the previous record of 15 defeats set earlier in the same season. The defeat also confirmed United’s first bottom-half finish since the 1989–90 season. Defensive frailties, exacerbated by injuries to key players like Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw, have plagued the team throughout the season, while a lack of attacking prowess and off-field chaos have just added to the mess.

Despite the defeat, there were positive signs in attack. Mason Mount opened the scoring in the 14th minute, ending a lengthy goal drought. Late goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo added respectability to the score line and showcased the potential within United’s young squad. These performances offer a glimmer of hope as United prepare for the crucial Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Bilbao.