Manchester United's Premier League woes deepened on Sunday as they fell 4–3 to Brentford in a chaotic, end-to-end showdown at the Gtech Community Stadium. With a top-four finish out of reach, new manager Rúben Amorim took a bold gamble—fielding the youngest starting XI in the club’s Premier League history. The move created headlines, but not the result he hoped for.
The youthful Red Devils—averaging just 22 years and 270 days—were full of energy but short on control, and Brentford capitalized on their naivety. Seventeen-year-old striker Chido Obi-Martin made history as the youngest ever Premier League starter for United, but it was Mason Mount who opened the scoring with his first goal of the campaign, giving United early hope.
However, that lead was short-lived. A Luke Shaw own goal gave Brentford a foothold before Kevin Schade punished United’s lack of structure with a composed double. Yoane Wissa then added a fourth, as the home side ran riot.
To United’s credit, the final minutes saw a spirited fightback. Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo struck late, igniting a frantic finale, but Brentford held on, sending United crashing to their 16th league defeat of the season—a staggering low for a club of their stature.
Amorim, who has prioritized United’s upcoming Europa League semi-final second leg against Athletic Bilbao, stood by his selection. “We have to manage the squad. We have one foot in a European final, and that’s our focus,” he told reporters after the game. United lead 3–0 heading into the return leg.
But the night wasn’t without further damage. Defender Matthijs de Ligt limped off with a suspected injury, adding to United’s growing list of concerns.
While Amorim eyes European redemption, Sunday’s defeat served as a sharp reminder of the rebuild he faces in the Premier League—a campaign now defined more by growing pains than glory.
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