Manchester United endured another miserable away day as a much-changed team was torn apart by rampant Brentford.
Ruben Amorim made clear his priority for the remainder of the season by making eight changes and keeping just three members of the starting XI that played so well in Thursday night’s 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao – Patrick Dorgu, Manuel Ugarte and Alejandro Garnacho.
The likes of Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro and Harry Maguire were all named on the bench ahead of Thursday night’s return against the Basque club in the Europa League semi-finals as Amorim gave his fringe players and youngsters the chance to impress.
Unfortunately for the Portuguese, it was an audition they failed with Brentford showing just how thin the United squad is with a ruthless display that maintains their outside chance of claiming a place in Europe.
⏹️ A narrow defeat on the road.#MUFC || #BREMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 4, 2025
Mount scores but United fall away
Mason Mount’s opener was a lovely moment for a player who has struggled horribly with injuries but it was all downhill from there.
Captain-for-the-day Luke Shaw put through his own goal for the equaliser with a brace from Kevin Schade and another goal for Yoane Wissa putting Brentford firmly in control.
Garnacho and Amad Diallo scored late consolations but it was an afternoon to forget for United, who have now won just three of their last 16 away games in the Premier League.
The travelling support would have hoped United could feed on the positivity gained from the midweek win in Bilbao but their optimism wouldn’t have lasted long as Brentford came close twice in the opening four minutes.
Shaw almost put through his own goal in attempting to intercept a pass to Schade before Brentford’s German striker then blazed over from close range as United’s patched-up side struggled to get anything going.
That changed after 14 minutes as the visitors took the lead from their first attack of note. Garnacho drove down the left and his low cross was perfect for Mount to meet first time with a crisp finish past Mark Flekken.
Shaw levels things up
The goal rocked Brentford but they were handed a route back into the game after 27 minutes through the hapless Shaw.
Determined work from Michael Kayode enabled Mikkel Damsgaard to get in a shot on goal and his effort took a heavy touch off England full-back Shaw before flying past Altay Bayindir in the United goal.
Brentford had the lead six minutes later as Schade made-up for his earlier miss by nodding Christian Norgaard’s inch-perfect pass past the exposed Bayindir for his ninth league goal of the season.
Bayindir, standing in for Andre Onana, excelled twice before half-time as United struggled to keep Brentford at bay.
First he got down well to parry a shot from Schade before keeping out Norgaard’s header with his chest, although it didn’t look as though he knew much about it.
Shaw’s miserable afternoon ended at half-time, as did Patrick Dorgu’s, with Leny Yoro and Diallo introduced.
The changes had a positive effect with United improving and they nearly found an equaliser when Chido Obi – at 17 years and 156 days, the youngest player to ever start a Premier League game for Manchester United – denied by some excellent Brentford defending.
Schade scores again before late United rally
Harry Amass also came close before Schade netted his second to effectively kill the contest.
Bryan Mbeumo was the architect with a brilliant ball in from the right and Schade made no mistake.
United had capitulated and it was no surprise when Brentford added a fourth with 16 minutes to go.
Substitute Mathias Jensen played in the impressive Kayode and his pass across goal was perfect for Wissa to tap home.
Garnacho reduced the arrears with a brilliant strike after good work from former Brentford midfielder Christian Eriksen and Diallo made it 4-3 deep into stoppage time with a shot that squeezed through Flekken’s legs but that arguably gave the scoreline a flattering look for a United side that was well beaten.
