Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty and Harry Maguire had a day to forget as Manchester United sank to a worrying 3-1 defeat at Brentford which leaves Ruben Amorim's reputation further in tatters. The Red Devils were hoping to make the most of a bad start by Brentford and record back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time under their coach but it all went horribly wrong and piled more pressure on their beleaguered manager.
Indeed, the Red Devils got off to a nightmare start which mirrored their 4-0 thrashing by the Bees in Erik ten Hag's first away game in 2022. Igor Thiago capitalised on bad positioning from Maguire to rifle the hosts in front in the ninth minute. The Brazilian struck again in the first half after more miserable defending from Amorim's side. Benjamin Sesko reduced the deficit with a scrappy goal and United looked in a good position to launch a comeback.
But the best opportunity they had to equalise came from the penalty spot, when Fernandes was denied by Caoimhin Kelleher. Brentford, who began the day one place above the relegation zone, secured the win with a sensational long-range goal from Mathias Jensen in added time.
GOAL rates Man United's players from the Gtech Community Stadium…
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Altay Bayindir (6/10):
Made good saves from Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins but was not at his best for the second goal, palming Schade's cross back into danger then failing to keep out Thiago's strike. Made a really impressive save from Ouattara.
Harry Maguire (4/10):
A flashback to his nightmarish display at Brentford in 2022. Did everything wrong for the opener, playing Thiago onside and then never getting close to him. Taken off in the 66th minute for Yoro.
Matthijs de Ligt (5/10):
Made the wrong decision for the second goal, acting too late before deciding to challenge the electric Schade. Had a hopeful swing at a shot which missed the target.
Luke Shaw (5/10):
Sloppy in possession, hitting the ball into the crowd when trying to find Fernandes.
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Diogo Dalot (5/10):
A disappointing return. Didn't communicate properly with De Ligt, giving Schade too much space down the left to set up the second.
Manuel Ugarte (5/10):
A shy performance, not showing enough aggression to stop Brentford's counters and as usual offering little in the way of ambitious passes.
Bruno Fernandes (4/10):
Scuffed his penalty, the second time he has erred from the spot in west London this season after a long wait. Booked for a high tackle on Dango Ouattara, which went to VAR to see if it should have been red.
Patrick Dorgu (6/10):
His looping cross caused problems for Kelleher. Narrowly failed to connect with an Mbeumo cross which would have been the equaliser.
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Matheus Cunha (5/10):
Put in more effort than most of his team-mates but didn't trouble Brentford much. Knocked off the ball leading to the first goal.
Benjamin Sesko (5/10):
Scored his first United goal albeit at the third time of asking in the same move. Despite that, he didn't look like striking again for the rest of the game.
Bryan Mbeumo (5/10):
A disappointing return to the club where he launched his career. The only notable thing he did was to force the penalty which Fernandes wasted.
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Kobbie Mainoo (7/10):
An instant improvement on Ugarte, giving the team the urgency they previously lacked on the ball.
Leny Yoro (6/10):
Gave the team a little more purpose after replacing Maguire.
Mason Mount (N/A):
Replaced Shaw in the 80th minute.
Joshua Zirkzee (N/A):
Headed over the bar after being thrown on in the 85th minute.
Ruben Amorim (4/10):
A bad result and a worse performance leaving him on dodgier ground than before. His defence let him down most of all but he should have started Yoro and Mainoo.