Three stars impressed as Rúben Amorim’s Manchester United fell to a 4-3 Premier League defeat away from home against Brentford on Sunday afternoon.
Rúben Amorim chose to hand Chido Obi his first-ever start as Manchester United lined up to face Brentford away from home in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
The tie started with Brentford looking to put goalkeeper Altay Bayındır under pressure. Still, it was Mason Mount who opened the scoring following fantastic play between Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo to put United ahead.
However, the home side were able to equalise as Mikkel Damsgaard’s effort deflected off Luke Shaw and in, with Kevin Schade handing his side the lead after just over 30 minutes with a header at the back post.
In the second half, Amad and Leny Yoro replaced Shaw and Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu, but it was Brentford who then notched again, with Schade finishing off a delivery from Bryan Mbeumo. Yoane Wissa then added a fourth just minutes later.
With less than ten minutes remaining, Garnacho scored a beautiful goal from outside the area to breathe some life back into the game, with Amad then rocketing in another in added time. Still, Thomas Frank’s side did just enough to hold off the visiting side and claim all three points.
#1 – Garnacho achieves personal landmark
Despite the final result, praise must be given to United for their opening goal, which was scored through fantastic play from Mainoo, Garnacho, and Mount.
Garnacho’s first-time pinpoint cross was his 10th assist of the season, making it the first time in his career that the player has hit double digits for both assists and goals in a single campaign.
Although his inconsistencies remain evident, with the player needing to work on his final ball, flashes of talent remain, and it must be applauded that he has still managed to produce 11 goals and 10 assists during one of the most turbulent seasons in the club’s history.
#2 – Amass and Fredricson impress once again
Last month, Harry Amass and Tyler Fredricson were fantastic against Wolverhampton Wanderers, with the United Academy duo by far the side’s best players on the day.
With the pair starting once again against Brentford, the duo looked composed beyond their years. Fredricson was on the right of the back three this time and continued excelling on the ball.
Amass was once again at left wing-back and was confident with the ball at his feet, and was bursting forward when he could, while also doing well to manage Brentford starman Mbeumo.
#3 – Managing the minutes Amorim’s first priority
It was no surprise that United made many early changes against Brentford. Dorgu and Shaw were off after 45 minutes, and Mount joined them on the bench after just under an hour.
All three players are expected to be involved in some capacity against Athletic Club in midweek. Mount is likely to come off the bench, while Shaw and Dorgu may well line up from the start.
Amad and Yoro also got 45 minutes, while Casemiro and Rasmus Højlund did not feature at all. This suggests mass changes when United line up at Old Trafford for the second leg of their Europa League semi-final.
#4 – An ultimately meaningless affair
On any other day, losing 4-2 away from home against a side like Brentford would have been a tragic result, but considering the context, it will be forgotten.
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It’s a fantastic day for Brentford and a damning indictment of United’s season that such a loss is not even considered a shock.
United’s fightback was encouraging, and the late goals from Garnacho and Amad only added momentum as the club heads into the Europa League semi-final.
#5 – Up to two major games left this season
The feeling surrounding the fixture is due to United’s pursuit of European glory, with all remaining Premier League ties ultimately meaningless.
Scoring three goals away from home for the second time this week will be encouraging for Amorim, and although the club conceded four, only one of the first-choice back five and goalkeeper started the tie, meaning not too much worry should be taken from the result.
United’s only remaining major games this season are the semi-final second leg and potential subsequent final, and Amorim is very much treating the rest of his season as such.
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