While Manchester United were celebrating Europa glory in Bilbao on Thursday, Brentford’s defeat of Nottingham Forest in midweek had already confirmed the 20-times champions would finish the season in the bottom half for the first time since 1989-1990. Defeat at the G-Tech made it 16 league losses for United, matching the loss count from 1989-1990. Not even a late – far too late – comeback in west London protected their modesty.
Brentford beat a yet more underpowered United selection than is normal, even for this season of historic mediocrity. A deserved home victory was secured via a fine headed double from Kevin Schade and Yoane Wissa’s tap-in following a first goal gifted by the comically lax defending that has been a regular feature of United’s season.
For Ruben Amorim, focus was understandably on midweek and the Europa League. Despite that 3-0 first-leg lead, eight changes were made. Senior players selected were for reasons of match fitness, Luke Shaw and Matthijs de Ligt forming a three-man defence with Tyler Fredricson, just 20. With an average age of 22 years and 270 days, Manchester United’s starting XI became the third-youngest Premier League selection.
Small wonder they began disjointedly. Shaw, captain for the day, making a second successive start for the first time since February 2024, nodded back a hopeful Brentford punt to Altay Bayindir, standing in for André Onana, only to find the Turk had lost the flight of the ball. Then came chances for Schade with Bryan Mbeumo, linked on Sunday with a summer move to Old Trafford, giving United’s left flank a torrid time.
Brentford also had Europe in mind. Though kicking off in 11th, a path to the continent next season remains open. They ended the day in ninth. United had been embarrassed at the G-Tech before, a pre-match video reminding of the August 2022 4-0 crushing that no longer seems like a freak result. “Every game in the Premier League is difficult, but we can beat anyone,” said Schade.
“We were in complete control from minute one,” said Thomas Frank. “We respect everybody but fear no-one.”
Still, it was United, with practically their first attack, who took the lead. Kobbie Mainoo sent away Alejandro Garnacho, and Mason Mount made the type of decisive run into the box trademarked at Chelsea but unseen since joining United in 2023. The £60m man, one of many lost souls in the Marie Celeste that is the club’s recruitment policy, scored only his second United goal. Thomas Tuchel, with whom Mount collected the 2021 Champions League, was watching on; Mount’s last England appearance was the 2022 World Cup quarter-final. “He’s getting there,” said his club manager.
Brentford, as ever, responded positively. The outstanding Michael Kayode’s aggressive winning of a second ball, beating Harry Amass, set up Mikkel Damsgaard’s shot, which smashed off Shaw and beyond the rooted Bayindir. “Like some other times, we disconnected,” said Amorim.
Hopes of avoiding injury were dashed in the moments preceding Brentford’s second. De Ligt damaged himself tackling Yoane Wissa and as he called for attention, Christian Nørgaard was played in by Kayode, the cross stood up for the back post for Schade. “He’s grown a lot this season,” said Frank; all three of his forwards have scored 10 goals or more this season.
De Ligt left the field immediately, painfully, calling Harry Maguire into action. On his injured Dutchman’s prognosis, Amorim said: “I have no idea, he could be training in three days, I don’t know.” The jinking wing wizard of San Mamés was soon put through his defensive paces. Chido Obi, meanwhile, leading United’s attack, cut a lonesome figure, completing just four first-half passes.
Amorim made two half-time changes. Shaw was withdrawn as a precaution for Thursday while Amad Diallo, talismanic during his manager’s early weeks in charge, continued his return to action. The ball remained mostly in United’s half, beyond a couple of Mount efforts finding him unable to repeat his previous proficiency.
Home fans entertained themselves with Bayindir’s discomfort as a ball-playing keeper, and either booing or applauding Christian Eriksen, depending on preference, when the former Bee became United’s latest arrival.
Brentford’s third, Schade’s second, came when Damsgaard played in Mbeumo to supply his partner. Schade, who clearly fancied a hat-trick, was already due to be subbed off, a smiling Frank was apologetic. It was Wissa, supplied by the still rampaging Kayode who made it four. “He was very strong,” said Frank of the Fiorentina loanee.
Up in the away corner, United’s fans did what their team have been doing for months, and concentrated on Europe, singing of going back to Bilbao. Their team’s Premier League season has become far too gruesome to consider. Garnacho’s long-range strike barely broke their choruses though Diallo’s injury-time strike, through Mark Flekken’s legs, raised hopes of a comeback Amorim’s confounding team remain capable of, despite so much else being a mess.
