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:
Edwin Van der Sar hoping lightning strikes twice for Manchester United
Edwin Van der Sar experienced Europa League heartbreak as chief executive of Ajax in 2017 when Manchester United triumphed in the final.
Now, he hopes his former club can find similar success in the competition eight years later.
Jose Mourinho’s first campaign at Old Trafford ended by winning Europe’s second-tier competition, which took precedence over the Premier League towards the end of the campaign that the Red Devils stumbled home in sixth.
The Portuguese’s decision paid off as United lifted the Europa League and sealed Champions League qualification by winning the Stockholm showpiece 2-0 against Ajax.
The ex-United goalkeeper sees similarities to the current situation under Ruben Amorim, whose side entered the weekend 14th.
Edwin Van der Sar hoping lightning strikes twice for Manchester United
Thomas Frank insists room for improvement despite Nottingham Forest win
A 2-0 away win over a Champions League-chasing side? You’d have thought Thomas Frank would have been delighted with Brentford’s performance at Nottingham Forest, but the manager only rated his side’s showing as a seven out of ten as he urged them to finish strongly this season.
"It was a good away performance,” Frank told the BBC. “Very solid. I think it is a big strength that we go to a difficult place against a team who have been fantastic all season.
"It was only seven out of 10 in my opinion. We were very strong defensively and gave little away. We should have kept the ball better in the second half. Credit to the boys.
"We had more possession and we went 1-0 up, then 2-0. Naturally they pressed us more. We knew the counters, we had to be very good and close down those situations. We needed to be good enough to play behind them.
"I think everything is possible. There are four games left. We'll try our best to win them."
Manchester United team news
And by complete contrast, Ruben Amorim rings the changes, with chances for youngsters Chido Obi, Harry Amass and Tyler Fredricson.
Manchester United XI: Bayindir; De Ligt, Fredricson; Amass, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dorgu; Garnacho, Mount; Obi.
Brentford team news
Perhaps unsurprisingly after such a good result at Nottingham Forest, Brentford are unchanged.
Brentford XI: Flekken; Kayode, Van den Berg, Collins, Lewis- Potter; Norgaard, Yarmoliuk; Mbeumo, Damsgaard, Schade; Wissa.
Team news on the way...
Right, just how heavily rotated with Manchester United be? Has Thomas Frank got something different up his sleeve? We should know in the next five minutes or so...
Thomas Frank wary of visitors' threat
Thomas Frank insists Brentford will not be deceived by Manchester United's lowly position in the Premier League when they clash in west London today.
Ruben Amorim's men are 10 points below the Bees in 14th place, with their Portuguese boss even stating in December that they face a battle against relegation, although they are now safe from the drop.
However, they are thriving in the Europa League, winning 3-0 at Athletic Bilbao on Thursday in the first leg of the semi-finals, and it is that form which concerns Frank.
"The performances in Europe show that there is potential, and actually in the Premier League they have not got what they have played to," the Brentford manager said.
"There are a lot of games with high expected goals and chances and they have deserved more.
"It's Man United - they are one of the biggest clubs in the world. They will put a very competitive team out on Sunday.
"It's a team that is very structured. They know what they want to do offensively and defensively."
Brentford stun Nottingham Forest
Also in action on Thursday night were Brentford, producing an accomplished showing to dent Nottingham Forest’s Champions League chances.
Forest shocked at home by Brentford as Champions League hopes dented
Casemiro’s revival is a ‘lesson’ for all Manchester United players, Ruben Amorim says
Casemiro is another veteran to have been written off at times during his tenure at Manchester United, but the vastly-experienced Brazilian is a proven winner, of course - and seen as key by Ruben Amorim.
Casemiro’s revival is a ‘lesson’ for all Manchester United players, Ruben Amorim says
Harry Maguire determined to create more ‘memories’ with Europa League glory
It’s nice to see Maguire having finding a way back to his best after a rollercoaster time at Manchester United. He’s got his sights set on European glory.
Harry Maguire determined to create more ‘memories’ with Europa League glory
Harry Maguire’s three positions and surprise skill that completed remarkable Man United transformation
An unexpected star of the semi-final success was Harry Maguire, rolling back the years to his Hull days with a cavalier charge and cross.
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