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 0-0 Manchester United, 9 minutes
Kobbie Mainoo, at 20, is a comparative veteran to some of his teammates today - though it can be easy to forget just how young the midfielder is. How will Ruben Amorim view his best role looking ahead to next season? This is a good chance for him to produce a strong performance.
Brentford 0-0 Manchester United, 7 minutes
A soft foul from Yoanne Wissa on the halfway line gives Manchester United a chance to settle a bit.
Brentford 0-0 Manchester United, 6 minutes
It’s all Brentford in these opening skirmishes. Thomas Frank’s side are zipping the ball about with purpose and precision with this young Manchester United side struggling to deal with them. Altay Bayindir helps them out by claiming a poor cross from Yehor Yarmolyuk.
Brentford 0-0 Manchester United, 4 minutes
So nearly an own goal! Luke Shaw gets himself in a tangle and almost heads into his own net with Altay Bayindir totally stranded!
Another Brentford corner, played short initially and then headed away by the visitors. But back come Brentford, and that’s a glorious chance for Kevin Schade, just unable to get enough purchase on the ball to turn it into the net.
Brentford 0-0 Manchester United, 2 minutes
Not the best start from Altay Bayindir, lumping his first kick long and right the way through to Mark Flekken in the Brentford goal. Bryan Mbeumo appears to have begun as the forward-most of the front three for the hosts, though he, Kevin Schade and Yoanne Wissa may swap about.
You can't win anything with kids...
This line-up today is the youngest ever named by Manchester United in the Premier League, with an average age of 22 years and 270 days, according to Opta. Chido Obi is the youngest player to start for the club in the Premier League.
Manchester United name their youngest line-up in Premier League history
Manchester United's remaining fixtures
Things look, perhaps, a touch tougher for Manchester United, even if the Premier League is far from their focus:
Today: Brentford (a)
11 May: West Ham (h)
16 May: Chelsea (a)
25 May: Aston Villa (h)
Games to come for Brentford...
It’s a fun finish for Brentford, with relegated Ipswich, a London derby against Fulham and a revived Wolves their business for the rest of the season after today. That Fulham clash could be pivotal with a congested group of clubs just out of the chase for Champions League places:
Brentford remaining fixtures
Today: Manchester United (h)
10 May: Ipswich (a)
18 May: Fulham (h)
25 May: Wolves (a)
Brentford vs Manchester United
So it will be a bench role today for the man insufferably dubbed ‘Harrydinho’ after his pivotal role in Manchester United’s Europa League win over Athletic Bilbao.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments