Brentford vs Manchester United LIVE: Hosts bring visitors back down to earth in seven-goal thriller
Brentford 4-3 Manchester United: Goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo threatened a late comeback
Brentford defeated Manchester United 4-3 to bring the visitors back down to earth after they named their youngest-ever Premier League starting line-up.
Just three days after United’s brilliant 3-0 win at Athletic Bilbao in the first leg of the Europa League semi-finals, Ruben Amorim stuck to his word by naming a much-changed team but his side took an early lead through Mason Mount.
It was one-way traffic from there, however, with Brentford levelling via a deflection from Luke Shaw and Kevin Schade’s header putting Thomas Frank’s side in front before half time. Schade added his second following the restart, with Yonna Wiisa continuing his excellent season by notching a fourth.
Alejandro Garnacho got one back late on with a spectacular finish, with Amad Diallo pulling another back in stoppage time, but it was not enough to prevent a 16th defeat of the Premier League season. Brentford, meanwhile, kept their slim hopes of qualifying for Europe alive, while United turn their attention back to Thursday’s second leg against Athletic and attempting to reach the Europa League final.
Follow all of the latest from the Gtech Community Stadium with our live blog below:
Brentford 2-1 Manchester United, 53 minutes
A booking for Alejandro Garnacho, whistled slightly harshly for a free-kick but then throwing his toys out of the pram to ire Anthony Taylor. The referee reaches into his pocket.
Brentford 2-1 Manchester United, 51 minutes
Two chances in quick succession for Mason Mount, lashing a left-footed shot right into Nathan Collins and then finding the welcoming embrace of Mark Flekken in the Brentford goal.
Brentford 2-1 Manchester United, 50 minutes
A missed connection between Yoanne Wissa and Bryan Mbeumo, the train pulling out of the station just as the latter tries to board as the pair work together moving forward.
Brentford 2-1 Manchester United, 48 minutes
Yehor Yarmolyuk and Christian Norgaard have done a fine job in the Brentford midfield today, breaking up play really effectively.
Brentford 2-1 Manchester United, 46 minutes
So that’s three changes already for Ruben Amorim, all in his back five. Amad Diallo should add a bit of extra threat down the flanks.
Second half...
Right, back into it. Leny Yoro and Amad Diallo are coming on for Manchester United - it appears Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu are off.
HT: Brentford 2-1 Manchester United
It’s also half time in the two other 2pm kick offs in the Premier League. Yankubah Minteh has scored for Brighton against Newcastle - his former employers - to give the hosts a lead at the Amex Stadium, while Jarrod Bowen has levelled for West Ham against Tottenham.
HT: Brentford 2-1 Manchester United
So Brentford ahead, then, and justly so - though the Mason Mount opener and that late Alejandro Garnacho chance show the threats that Manchester United can pose when they break quickly. It’s been a tough half at times for some of their younger players, and Matthijs de Ligt’s injury was not what Ruben Amorim would have wanted with Harry Maguire forced on early. Can they fight back in the second half?
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