The optimism ahead of Saturday's early kick off in West London was possibly the strongest of Ruben Amorim's reign thus far following the positive result against fellow West Londoners and some peoples dark horses for the Premier League title, Chelsea last time out. However, the same problems that have plagued Amorim's managerial tenure at Manchester United returned to haunt United once again, in another dreadful away day performance.
The latest defeat, this time 3-1 away at Brentford, heaps further criticism on the Portuguese manager whose record as United boss sees him statistically the worst since World War 2, and leaves Manchester United with just 7 points from their first 6 Premier League games of the season, and Amorim after 9 months in charge still unable to secure back to back wins for United in the league. Which will be of concern to all fans, but none more so than one United fan who has vowed not to cut his hair until the team wins 5 games on the bounce; a feat that seems to even to the most positive Red Devil an incomprehensible feat any time soon.
Todays Line Up Raised Eye Brows
With the suspension of Casemiro following his dismissal in last weekend's home game to Chelsea, a midfield position was left up for grabs. Many would have hoped that trust would be placed in academy graduate Mainoo. However, Amorim chose to start Manuel Ugarte in the vacant position, a strange decision considering his indifferent start to this campaign; although not the only player than can be tarred with such a brush.
Fans were also hoping to see the introduction of new summer signing Lammens, but instead the manager chose to persist with Bayindir between the sticks, who is another player that is still yet to convince fans of their No1 credentials following the loan departure of last season's first choice GK, Onana.
Amorim's persistence in playing Fernandes in a deeper midfield role is another talking point. A role where many would say he fails to add that attacking value and output which he has been synonymous with since his arrival from Sporting Lisbon.
Finally the backline came under scrutiny. Knowing that Brentford's main attacking strength displayed in the opening weeks of the season is their quick counters, and set piece play. Amorim opted to start the less mobile and perceived slower pairing of De Ligt and Maguire at the heart of his 5 man defence, overlooking Leny Yoro. The young Frenchman was a relatively shock omission considering that he has be one of a few bright sparks for United in recent times since his arrival from Ligue 1 last year, despite injury hampering large parts of his first campaign in England.
Another Disappointing 90 Minutes
Despite the results of the first weeks of the season for Manchester United, a positive has been United's fast starts in games which more often than not, they have been unable to capitalise from. However, today was very different. As Brentford raced out of the traps, United started the game with a lethargy, and found it difficult in the early exchanges to disposes their hosts who were on the front foot from kick off.
Unlike United in past games, Brentford were able to capitalise from their fast start and they saw themselves 2-0 up inside the first 20 minutes with both goals coming from new talisman and fan favourite Thiago. First, taking advantage of United's loss of possession and high linefrom their own attack which saw him outpace Harry Maguire to go one on one with the keeper and slot home. The second saw the ball ping pong around the six yard box before falling to the striker and their effort was able to squirm agonisingly under Bayindir to give the host a commanding and deserved lead.
The second of Igor Thiago's goals however did seem to wake United up from their malaise, and the brightest moment of the game from a United perspective saw Sesko score his first goal for the club. A looping speculative cross caused panic with Brentford's backline and the ball fell to the big Slovenian who on his third attempt managed to smash the ball into the roof of the net on the 26 minute mark.
After half-time the game turned into largely a non-event as Manchester United failed to really test Kelleher in the Brentford goal and the hosts seemed content to contain their North West visitors. That was until returning ex-Brentford man Bryan Mbeumo was pulled down in the box, and after a lengthy VAR check, a penalty was awarded. Brentford may have considered themselves fortunate to not also go down to 10- men considering the challenge was made with no attempt to play the ball, and it appeared to deny a clear goal scoring opportunity. But the on field decision of penalty and yellow card stood. What followed was a big moment in the game, and usually the man for big moments for United, Bruno Fernandes stepped up. However, on this occasion his shot was smartly saved by the new Brentford keeper who stayed on his line and was able to preserve his side's lead to which cut away images of crest fallen away fans inside the G-Tech Community Stadium followed.
With that it felt like another one of those days, those days that Manchester United fans are becoming all too familiar, and it was to be in the final few minutes of the match. Where Brentford were able to break away to secure all three points with a thunderous strike from substitute Mathias Jensen. A strike that upon further review appeared to go right through the United keeper. Further questioning the validity of Bayindir being United's long term starting keeper; albeit the Turkish international had made a few crucial saves earlier on in the contest. This strike secured the 3-1 win for the home side and all three points.
The Inquisition Will Continue
With another loss for Ruben Amorim, no midweek fixtures scheduled until the new year due to Manchester United's absence from Europe and being out of the League Cup. The questions and pressure will continue to be heaped on the current United boss. The same boss whose character, honesty and charm brought him time and grace with much of the United faithful despite the poor results last season. With memories of his rousing end of season speech at Old Trafford at the end of the last campaign a distant memory following yet another disappointing performance and defeat. Given the money spent in the summer and the managers persistence to play a system which has had very little success for United, it is beginning to feel like the writing is on the wall for the Portuguese unless things turn around quickly. With more asking when & not if INEOS and the United board will make a change in the dug out.
With high flying newly promoted Sunderland being hosted at Old Trafford next weekend before another International break the temperature is sure to be rising at M16 for the manager, and if form dictates the result in that fixture it is hard to see how this can be turned around under the current managerial regime.
