By fielding a very young team, manager Ruben Amorim made club history. However, the United manager is unfortunately also setting records for the wrong reasons, with this 16th defeat marking the club`s worst-ever Premier League season.
Brentford`s goals came from a Luke Shaw own goal, two from Kevin Schade, and Yoane Wissa adding the fourth, after Mason Mount had initially put United ahead with his second goal for the club.
Despite late goals from Alejandro Garnacho and substitute Amad Diallo, United couldn`t avoid their record 16th Premier League defeat, a result that leaves Amorim with a remarkably low six top-flight wins this season.
In many other seasons, this form would see United battling relegation; they are fortunate the teams at the bottom are performing poorly.
United fans can at least anticipate a potential Europa League final, assuming they don`t falter in their semi-final second leg against Bilbao.
With the upcoming Europa League tie in mind, Amorim heavily rotated his squad, making eight changes from the team that won in Spain. The resulting lineup, with an average age of 22 years and 270 days, was the third youngest ever to start a Premier League match.
Forward Chido Obi, aged 17 years and 156 days, also set a club record as United`s youngest Premier League starter.
However, Brentford are a formidable, intelligent, and physically strong side, making them a particularly challenging opponent to face with an inexperienced team.
Following another strong season, it`s puzzling why manager Thomas Frank isn`t being pursued by clubs considered `bigger`. Perhaps United shouldn`t have been so dismissive and pursued the Danish coach when Erik ten Hag was sacked in October.
Beyond the financial benefits, it`s questionable whether this current United squad is ready for the Champions League, as they might face heavy defeats.
Adding to a difficult day for Amorim, Matthijs de Ligt also suffered an injury, leaving the field after Brentford`s second goal.
Luke Shaw, wearing the captain`s armband, narrowly avoided a hugely embarrassing moment with an attempted header that could have been a spectacular own goal, but it spun wide.
A relieved Shaw managed a small smile, though it was overshadowed by the much bigger grin on teammate Mason Mount`s face moments later.
Alejandro Garnacho initiated the move down the left, delivering a low cross perfectly finished by Mount into the corner. This was Mount`s first goal for United since scoring at the same stadium over a year prior.
This match was Mount`s first start since December`s Manchester derby, highlighting a stop-start beginning to his United career.
England manager Thomas Tuchel was present, although considering Mount hasn`t played for England since the 2022 World Cup quarter-final loss to France, a return to the national squad isn`t immediately expected.
While Shaw was fortunate earlier, his luck ran out when Brentford netted the goal they had been pressing for.
United failed to clear a long throw from Michael Kayode; the Brentford defender advanced, beat Harry Amass to a header, and Mikkel Damsgaard`s shot deflected heavily off Shaw, past a surprised Bayindir.
Brentford consistently threatened from aerial balls, and their second goal also resulted from poor United defending.
De Ligt remained down injured after a challenge with Wissa, but the referee allowed play to continue as it wasn`t a head injury.
United failed to defend Christian Norgaard`s cross, with Schade getting between Patrick Dorgu and Tyler Fredricson to head past Bayindir.
Leny Yoro and Amad Diallo replaced Shaw and Dorgu at halftime. Christian Eriksen, who played for Brentford in 2022, replaced Mount shortly before the hour mark, greeted with a mix of jeers and applause.
Although Obi didn`t see much of the ball, he had a great scoring opportunity on his debut, denied by an excellent block from Norgaard.
Amass had a difficult time in defense and missed a good chance offensively. Shortly after, Schade`s header at the far post from Bryan Mbeumo`s cross sealed the win for Brentford.
Schade received a standing ovation upon being substituted. However, the scoring continued as Mbeumo set up Wissa for an easy tap-in.
