League Report: Brentford 3-1 Manchester Utd
Poor showing in the west end
It was yet another dismal showing on the road as the reds went down in the early kick-off. Lacklusture defending, and ponderous build-up, gave the home side a platform in the game. Not even a first goal for Benjamin Sesko could bring about a result and a missed penalty ended any hopes.
For the Bees, it was massive result in their aims of staying up this season. They scored twice in the opening 20 minutes as frailties showed themselves yet again. It is vendication of the confidence in Keith Andrews so far.
Ruben Amorim were missing Amad due to a family bereavement, Casemiro due to suspension, and Mazraoui due to injury. Matheus Cunha, Manuel Ugarte, and Diogo Dalot all started in their place. Dango Ouatarra and Aaron Hickey started for the home side as they tried to halt their worse start in the Premier League.
All the talk was of Utd putting together a run of form after their victory against Chelsea last weekend. This was thrown out the window after eight minutes. Harry Maguire was caught trying to play Thiago offside from a simple long ball by Jordan Henderson. The forward was allowed to run straight through to slot past Altay Bayinder.
Cunha had an effort go just wide from around 20 yards as the visitors tried to get back into it. Bayinder was forced to pull off saves from Nathan Collins and Sepp van den Berg to prevent Brentford going further in front though.
It got even worse after 20 minutes. Kevin Schade exploited room left by Patrick Dorgu and charged forward. Both Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt were caught out of position again and he was able to slot a simple ball into the area. It was pushed by Bayinder straight into the path of Thiago and the Brazilian gratefully landed his second.
The red devils did get back into it six minutes later and Sesko had his first strike for his new club. Caoimhin Kelleher kept out two efforts from a corner but it fell to the Slovenian who stabbed home at the back post. A VAR check for a challenge by Bryan Mbeumo on the keeper was cleared and the goal stood.
If the emphasis had been to launch an assault on the home goal in the second-half, it did not really transpire. Henderson and Mikkel Damsgaard afforded no time in midfield and the backline was under constant pressure from set pieces.
The turning moment appeared to have arrived after 70 minutes. Mbeumo had broken through on goal when he was taken down by Collins in the area. Even though the defender was the last man, he only received a yellow card for the offense. Andrews choose that time to make two substitutions further delaying the taking of the spot kick. Bruno Fernandes had been waiting during that period put his effort to the left. Kelleher was able to pick the right direction and palmed it around the post.
The game was put to bed in the fifth minute of injury time. Sub Mathias Jensen took advantage of a break away to run clear and slot it past Bayinder for the win.
The sizeable away crowd had noticeably thinned out by the final whistle. It is a damaging combination between a manager who refuses to change his system and players who seem incapable of adjusting to any set formation. Utd must get back on track against Sunderland next Saturday prior to the international break. Failure to do so could be fatal.
Brentford: Caoimhin Kelleher; Aaron Hickey (Rico Henry 75), Sepp van den Berg, Nathan Collins, Michael Kayode; Jordan Henderson (Frank Onyeka 81), Yahor Yarmoliuk, Dango Ouattara; Mikkel Damsgaard (Vitaly Janelt 81), Kevin Schade (Keane Lewis-Potter 75), Igor Thiago (Mikkel Jensen 81).
Subs not used: Hakon Vladimorsson, Ethan Pinnock, Antoni Milambo, Kristoffer Ajer,
Booked: Nathan Collins (72), Kevin Schade (80).
Sent off: None
Manchester United: Altay Bayinder; Diogo Dalot, Matthijs de Ligt, Harry Maguire (Kobbie Mainoo 66); Luke Shaw (Mason Mount 81), Patrick Dorgu (Joshua Zirkzee 85), Manuel Ugarte (Leny Yoro 66), Bruno Fernandes, Mattheus Cunha; Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko.
Subs not used: Senne Lammens, Tom Heaton, Ayden Heaven, Diego Leon.
Booked: Bruno Fernandes (55), Patrick Dorgu (84)
Sent off: None
Referee: Craig Pawson
Attendance: 17,193
Simplyred.net Player of the Match: Igor Thiago
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