Manchester United’s turbulent Premier League campaign took another damaging blow on Saturday as Rubén Amorim’s side slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Brentford, a result that not only extended their miserable away run but also cast fresh doubt on the Portuguese coach’s future at Old Trafford.
Brentford struck twice in the opening twenty minutes through Igor Thiago, capitalizing on United’s defensive frailties and leaving Amorim’s men scrambling to recover. Benjamin Sesko pulled one back before halftime to give the visitors a lifeline, but the momentum fizzled after Bruno Fernandes spurned a golden chance from the penalty spot in the 76th minute. Brentford duly punished United’s collapse, sealing the win and deepening the sense of crisis around Amorim’s project.
Speaking after the game, Amorim admitted that his side had “played exactly how Brentford wanted them to,” a stinging self-indictment of United’s inability to impose control. Instead of dictating tempo, they were dragged into a physical battle of long balls, second balls, and transitions—areas Brentford thrive in. “We trained for these situations, but we didn’t show enough composure. We didn’t calm the game, and that cost us,” Amorim reflected.
The manager’s frustration extended to what he called a lack of “character” in key moments. Despite United creating chances, the absence of resilience after early setbacks proved decisive. “When you win, you gain momentum. When you lose, you start again from zero. That’s our reality right now,” he added.
Yet Amorim remained defiant in the face of mounting pressure. Asked about his job security, he insisted: “I’m never concerned about my position. That’s not who I am. My focus is always on improving this team.” He defended his tactical system, suggesting execution, not formation, is the root issue.
For supporters, however, patience is wearing thin. United’s Premier League record under Amorim now stands at just nine wins from 33 games, with Saturday marking their eighth consecutive away league match without victory. Pundits and former players have begun to question whether the Portuguese coach can reverse the slide.
The Brentford defeat underscored familiar weaknesses—fragile defending, wasted chances, and psychological lapses—that United can no longer afford to ignore. For Amorim, the coming weeks will determine whether his insistence on patience and perseverance can bear fruit, or whether the Old Trafford hierarchy will decide the experiment has run
its course.
