Another weekend, and yet another defeat for Manchester United, this time a 1-3 loss to Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium on Saturday.
Prior to the game, most of the pre-match discourse was surrounding Ruben Amorim’s chance to pick up back-to-back wins in the Premier League for the first time under his tenure.
A damning indictment of his coaching, but given the Bees’ form, it was a very real possibility. But as has been the case under the Portuguese, the team stuttered and eventually faltered yet again.
The home side scored twice within the first 20 minutes off long balls forward, with the defenders lacking basic sense while Altay Bayindir did not cover himself in glory for the second.
Stupid defending, refereeing controversy
And while Benjamin Sesko did pull one back, Brentford made matters sure in added time with the goalkeeper at fault yet again.
Ruben Amorim will complain about why a clear red card was not awarded, and obviously, the penalty miss by Bruno Fernandes did change the game, but the truth was that the hosts dominated and deserved to win.
Brentford were poor prior to the game, and were 19th in terms of possession stats, but they had more of the ball in the first half.
At the end, they had more shots on target, and hardly looked like were troubled by the visitors, who looked very casual and devoid of any energy and drive.
Amorim has now won only nine times in 32 Premier League games, and it is clear that his system is not working, irrespective of what xG stats he produces.
Time up for Amorim?
He keeps picking underperforming players like Bayindir, while Senne Lammens, Kobbie Mainoo and Leny Yoro, three of the club’s brightest young stars remain on the bench.
Playing the skipper in midfield instead of further forward makes very little sense, but the ex-Sporting CP boss insists on repeating the same madness every week.
He spoke of starting strong, but once again, the players did not respond and by the end of the game, it seemed like they were giving up.
INEOS seem hellbent on avoiding another huge payday to a coach, and Amorim knows that and he will not change his flawed approach. The fans should prepare for more suffering!
Feature image Richard Pelham via Getty Images
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Ayantan Chowdhury
Ayantan has worked for 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites but his heart was always set on writing about his favourite club. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
