Manchester United Faces Growing Dismay After Brentford Defeat

Manchester United’s troubled start to the season continued with a disappointing 3-1 defeat against Brentford on October 7, 2023. The loss has intensified scrutiny on head coach Ruben Amorim, who has yet to secure consecutive victories since taking charge. Despite a recent win against Chelsea, the Reds left West London empty-handed, unable to build on that momentum.

In the match, United’s hopes were briefly lifted when Benjamin Sesko scored his first goal for the club. However, a first-half double from Igor Thiago and a late effort from Mathias Jensen sealed the victory for Brentford. This defeat marks another setback for United, who finished in a disappointing 15th place last season—its lowest position in the Premier League era.

Former Arsenal defender Martin Keown voiced his concerns about Amorim’s future during a discussion on BBC Sport. He questioned the club’s decision to maintain confidence in the head coach, drawing parallels with the recent sacking of Graham Potter at West Ham. Keown remarked, “It seemed obvious that Potter was going to lose his job, so with Amorim, why is it not the same for him? This stubbornness to play the same way— they look very ordinary.”

Keown’s comments reflect a growing sentiment among fans and analysts alike. The performance against Brentford saw United struggle to control the game, failing to adapt to the physicality and tactics employed by their opponents. Keown added, “Mbeumo playing against his old team must be wondering ‘what on earth have I signed for?’ because the team he plays against was way better than them today. This is Manchester United in dire trouble right now. Decisions need to be made.”

In a post-match statement, Amorim expressed his disappointment, stating, “It’s always the same to lose at this club; it hurts a lot. We need to think about the next one.” He acknowledged that the team did not execute their game plan effectively, allowing Brentford to dominate crucial moments in the match. “The first goal was a long ball. We worked on that in the week, and on set pieces. We knew the long balls were coming,” he noted, emphasizing the need for improvement.

As Manchester United navigates this challenging phase, fans are left wondering what the future holds for the club and its management. The pressure to perform will only increase as the season progresses, with every match becoming a critical test for Amorim and his squad.

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