After a chaotic clash with Chelsea last weekend, United were looking to create a winning run of form to ease the pressure on the manager and club as a whole, with a trip to Brentford, marking a run of games which United would have viewed as winnable after their tough start.

However, things didn’t go according to play for the visitors, as they went behind early and by half-time they trailed 2-1 and needing to push on for a comeback. This didn’t arrive however as chances were squandered and they were made to pay in the closing stages, making it a 3-1 defeat, meaning Amorim still hasn’t won back-to-back league games, and questions increase once again about the direction of the club.

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Teams

Brentford: Kelleher, Hickey (Lewis-Potter 75′), Van Den Berg, Collins, Kayode, Yarmoliuk, Henderson (Onyeka 81′), Schade, Damsgaard (Janelt 81′), Ouattara (Henry 75′), Thiago (Jensen 90′)

Subs: Valdimarsson, Pinnock, Ajer, Milambo

Manchester United: Bayindir, Shaw (Mount 81′), Maguire (Yoro 66′), De Ligt, Dorgu (Zirkzee 85′), Ugarte (Mainoo 66′), Fernandes, Dalot, Cunha, Mbeumo, Sesko

Subs: Lammens, Heaton, Heaven, Leon, Fredricson

Brentford 3-1 Manchester United

Brentford came out firing at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday, putting on a confident display to claim a 3-1 victory over Manchester United. From the early minutes the hosts looked sharp and dangerous, and it was no surprise when Igor Thiago opened the scoring in the 8th minute after a probing ball from Jordan Henderson caught United’s defence off guard. United, still trying to settle, were rocked again just before the 20th minute when Thiago struck his second, this time exploiting a defensive lapse to double Brentford’s lead.

United did muster a response, though, and Benjamin Šeško reduced the deficit in the 26th minute with his first goal for the club. That brief glimmer of hope injected some pressure on Brentford, but despite a spell of possession and territory, United couldn’t find a consistent breakthrough before half-time.

In the second half, United pushed hard to level, but the momentum shifted decisively when Bruno Fernandes had a penalty saved by Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher in the 76th minute. The spot-kick was awarded after Nathan Collins fouled Bryan Mbeumo in the area, and a lengthy VAR check considered whether Collins should be sent off, but ultimately he was booked only. That miss effectively stalled United’s comeback bid, and Brentford held firm while managing United’s pressure.

As the match ticked into stoppage time, Brentford sealed it. In the 95th minute, Mathias Jensen unleashed a swerving finish from outside the box that left Manchester United helpless and sent the home fans into celebration. That strike made it 3-1 and ensured United left London empty-handed.

For Brentford, it was a statement win with two early goals, a dogged defensive effort, and a late killer blow. Igor Thiago will surely get the plaudits for his brace, but Kelleher’s penalty save and the collective resilience of the side underlined a mature team performance. For Manchester United, it was a frustrating afternoon with a defence that looked shaky at times, a key penalty wasted, and yet again no away victory this season. Ruben Amorim’s side will need to regroup quickly if they are to turn their season around.

Talking Points

This defeat puts Ruben Amorim further under the microscope. Under his tenure at Manchester United, he has lost 17 of his first 33 Premier League matches, a run that already gives critics ammunition to question his methods and results. After being unable to secure consecutive league wins, something his side have still not achieved under his leadership, the loss to Brentford only amplifies the feeling that time is running out for him. Every setback feeds the narrative that he is failing to impose his vision, particularly in away fixtures, and the manner of this defeat raised more concerns about discipline, defensive errors and wasted opportunities.

One of the more stubborn features of Amorim’s approach this season has been his commitment to a fixed tactical setup, even as he rotates players around it. Injuries and form have forced him into frequent changes of personnel, but the 3-4-2-1 framework has remained the same. That rigidity has come under increasing criticism: when the system is exposed, as it was in the early stages at Brentford, the lack of adaptability becomes costly. Brentford repeatedly exploited the spaces and vulnerabilities within United’s shape, and the new faces Amorim brought in could do little to patch over the structural flaws.

If there was a silver lining for United, it came in the form of Benjamin Šeško’s first goal for the club. The young striker struck in the 26th minute to make it 2-1, a confident finish that briefly lifted his teammates and suggested a potential route back into the game. For a forward still settling into life at Old Trafford, opening his account is an important milestone and should provide a boost of confidence. Yet while Šeško’s goal gave United hope, they were unable to build on it, leaving his personal achievement overshadowed by the wider failings of the team.