Manchester United fell to yet another defeat, losing 3-1 away to Premier League strugglers Brentford. The Red Devils were losing 2-1 at the break, and conceded their third late in the second half, 15 minutes or so after Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty to draw things level.
It was the perfect start for the Bees, with Igor Thiago continuing his fantastic start to the season. Eight minutes into the game, the Brentford number nine managed to get in behind United’s defence, on the end of a long ball from former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson, before rifling a shot into the roof of the net via the post.
The 24-year-old found the back of the net once again 12 minutes later. This was much more of a poacher’s effort, with the striker getting on the end of Altay Bayindir’s save, before tapping home from the edge of the six-yard box.
Benjamin Sesko did pull a goal back for United to score his first as a Red Devils player. Their new number 30 showed great resilience in the penalty area to fight for a loose ball, which he ended up firing home.
After Fernandes missed from the spot with 15 minutes left of normal time, another excellent strike from midfielder Mathias Jensen secured the win. He finished off a counterattack from range to seal another forgettable day for United. Their captain, Fernandes, certainly struggled.
Fernandes’ performance vs. Brentford
It was certainly not a day when Fernandes covered himself in glory. The Red Devils skipper, who once again operated as one of the deepest midfielders, struggled to impact the game in the final third.
Of course, he also missed a golden chance from the spot to equalise. It was not the best penalty by someone so often very reliable from 12 yards, with Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher diving low to his left and pushing the ball away.
As for Fernandes’ numbers from the game, the experienced Portuguese midfielder only created one chance, which is certainly not like him. He lost possession of the ball 18 times and only won 50% of his duels.
Goal journalist Richard Martin was critical of the United captain after his efforts in West London. He gave the Red Devils number eight a 4/10 rating, who did not have any positives to give after Fernandes’ efforts at the Gtech Community Stadium.
As bad as Fernandes was against the Bees, one man arguably put in an even worse performance.
The United player worse than Fernandes
It was another hugely disappointing result for Ruben Amorim, who will surely come under pressure, given he has yet to win back-to-back games in the Premier League. However, all the blame cannot go to him. Fernandes was unlucky to miss the penalty, but one man was at fault for Brentford’s opener.
That man was one of United’s most experienced players, Harry Maguire. The England international kept his place in the side after last weekend’s win at Old Trafford, but was a large reason why Thiago scored the opener in the way he did, and should never start again in the league under Amorim.
The Brazilian was able to get in behind United’s defence, but it was their number five, Maguire, who didn’t step up with the other two centre-backs. That kept the striker onside, and from there, he was always going to struggle to catch up with him bearing down on goal, which is a theme for him as the last man in the backline.
Football content creator Terry Flewers said the defender was “shocking” for the second goal, too. That could be said about his overall performance, as the stats suggest. Maguire lost his only ground duel and gave possession away seven times, as well as the blunder for Brentford’s opener.
Touches
39
Pass accuracy
81%
Passes completed
25/31
Number of times ball lost
7
Long balls completed
1/5
Ground duels won
0/1
Martin also gave the former Red Devils captain a 4/10 for his performance against the Bees. The Goal journalist said he “did everything wrong” for the home side’s opening goal, before noting he was substituted in the 66th minute.
With Leny Yoro, who replaced Maguire, knocking on the door to start, it is hard to see how he can keep his place in the lineup for United’s next game at home to Sunderland. He certainly did not leave a good impression today, with a huge blunder that allowed the Bees to score.
Amorim might well decide to drop Maguire from the starting lineup next Saturday. Fernandes’ miss from the penalty spot was unlucky, but Maguire’s two errors were certainly worse and meant United had an uphill battle, being 2-0 down at one point.
That is why the £80m signing from Leicester City should never start again under Amorim in the Premier League, because his lack of mobility at the back makes him too easy to get chances against for opposition players.