Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Liveupdated

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

Harry Latham-Coyle
Sunday 04 May 2025 19:56 BST
Comments
Amorim praises Man United duo in emphatic Athletic Club victory

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

The club is tantalisingly close to the Europa League final
Harry Latham-Coyle4 May 2025 13:15

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."

Can Brentford finish the Premier League season strongly?
Can Brentford finish the Premier League season strongly? (Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle4 May 2025 13:05

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.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 May 2025 12:50

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.

Harry Latham-Coyle4 May 2025 12:48

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...

Harry Latham-Coyle4 May 2025 12:42

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."

Thomas Frank knows the threat that Manchester United will pose
Thomas Frank knows the threat that Manchester United will pose (PA Wire)
Harry Latham-Coyle4 May 2025 12:30

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

Nottingham Forest 0-2 Brentford: Goals from Kevin Schade and Yoane Wissa inflicted a damaging defeat that leaves Forest sixth
Harry Latham-Coyle4 May 2025 12:20

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

Ruben Amorim heaped praise on Casemiro after the Brazilian fought his way back into the first team
Harry Latham-Coyle4 May 2025 12:10

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

Manchester United take a 3-0 lead over Athletic Bilbao into the semi-final second leg.
Harry Latham-Coyle4 May 2025 12:00

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.

The three positions and surprise skill that completed Maguire’s transformation

The Manchester United defender made a surprise appearance on the right wing against Athletic Bilbao, as Ruben Amorim’s side took a giant step towards the Europa League final
Harry Latham-Coyle4 May 2025 11:50

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in