Ruben Amorim made club history by fielding United`s youngest-ever Premier League lineup. However, this season continues to set unwanted records for the manager, as this 4-3 loss to Brentford marked their 16th defeat, the worst in the club`s Premier League era.
In a thrilling seven-goal encounter, Mason Mount scored just his second goal for United, but his effort was soon followed by a Luke Shaw own goal. Kevin Schade then netted twice for Brentford, and Yoane Wissa added a fourth goal to secure the win for the Bees. Late strikes from Alejandro Garnacho and substitute Amad Diallo were not enough to prevent United from succumbing to their record 16th league loss. Amazingly, Amorim has secured only six top-flight victories so far this campaign.
In most other seasons, a record like this would leave United battling relegation, highlighting their good fortune that the teams occupying the bottom spots are significantly weaker this year. United fans can, at least, hold onto hope for a potential Europa League final, assuming they can successfully navigate their upcoming semi-final second leg against Bilbao.
Prioritizing the Europa League tie, Amorim made eight changes from the squad that won in Spain. The resulting starting eleven had an average age of 22 years and 270 days, making it the third youngest team United has ever started in the Premier League. Striker Chido Obi, at just 17 years and 156 days old, also became the club`s youngest Premier League starter.
However, facing Brentford – an exceptionally well-organized, intelligent, and physically formidable team – proved to be a major challenge for such a youthful side. It remains perplexing why manager Thomas Frank isn`t attracting interest from larger clubs after another impressive season with the Bees.
While a Europa League triumph would offer a route back to the Champions League and significant financial gain, it`s questionable whether the current United squad is truly ready for Europe`s elite competition, given the potential for heavy defeats.
Adding to Amorim`s woes, Matthijs de Ligt was forced off with an injury shortly after Brentford`s second goal. Luke Shaw, wearing the captain`s armband, narrowly avoided a hugely embarrassing own goal earlier in the match when his header from a swirling ball went just wide.
Shaw`s relief was evident, though perhaps less pronounced than Mason Mount`s smile a few minutes later after he opened the scoring. Alejandro Garnacho was key to the goal, driving down the left and delivering a low cross that Mount expertly finished into the corner. This was Mount`s first start since the Manchester derby in December, marking a fragmented start to his United career.
England manager Thomas Tuchel was present in the stands. However, given Mount hasn`t played for his country since the 2022 World Cup quarter-final, a return to the England setup doesn`t appear imminent.
While Shaw had some luck earlier, he wasn`t so fortunate when Brentford finally converted one of their many threats. United failed to adequately clear a long throw from Michael Kayode. The Brentford defender surged into the area, won a header against Harry Amass, and Mikkel Damsgaard`s subsequent shot took a significant deflection off Shaw, wrong-footing goalkeeper Bayindir.
Brentford consistently posed a threat from aerial deliveries, and their second goal exposed further defensive frailties. Although De Ligt was on the ground injured after a challenge with Wissa, the referee allowed play to continue as it wasn`t a head injury. United`s defense failed to cope with Christian Norgaard`s cross, allowing Schade to get between Patrick Dorgu and Tyler Fredricson and head the ball past Bayindir.
At halftime, Leny Yoro and Amad Diallo replaced Shaw and Dorgu. Christian Eriksen, who had played for Brentford in 2022, received a mixed reception of jeers and applause when he came on for Mount just before the hour mark.
Despite limited service, Chido Obi had a golden opportunity to score on his debut but was thwarted by a crucial block from Norgaard. Amass, who struggled throughout the match defensively, also missed a good chance. Soon after, Schade effectively sealed the result for Brentford with a header at the far post from Bryan Mbeumo`s cross.
Schade received a standing ovation when substituted, but the scoring wasn`t quite finished. Mbeumo squared the ball to Yoane Wissa, who had a simple tap-in to complete Brentford`s scoring for the day.
