Ruben Amorim claimed his Manchester United side “controlled the game” against Brentford despite a 4-3 defeat that looked closer than it was after two late goals from the visitors.
Amorim made eight changes to the side that won 3-0 at Athletic Bilbao in midweek as he made clear where his priorities lie over the coming weeks. Youngsters Tyler Fredricson and Harry Amass were included as was striker Chido Obi, who at just 17 years and 156 days became the youngest player to ever start a Premier League game for Manchester United.
Only Patrick Dorgu, Manuel Ugarte and Alejandro Garnacho retained their places and United’s makeshift XI struggled with Kevin Schade scoring twice as Brentford surged into a 4-1 lead with eight minutes to go.
Garnacho and Amad Diallo reduced the arrears but it did little to mask the shortfalls of another lacklustre display from United.
⏹️ A narrow defeat on the road.#MUFC || #BREMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 4, 2025
Upbeat Amorim encouraged by youngsters
Despite the defeat, Amorim was upbeat afterwards. He told BBC’s Match of the Day: “I liked [the performances of] the young kids. I liked how we controlled the game without many occasions to score.
“In the first 30 mins we struggled with set pieces but we already knew we didn’t have the height to fight that. In the second half we are near the draw and we suffered two goals like we did in the beginning when we suffer one and let it go.
“We fought but in the end we lost but good things for the future.”
United play the return game against Athletic on Thursday night and Amorim is confident of an improved performance.
He added to Sky Sports: “I have no doubt that we are playing better. So we have to take all the heat. At this moment we are losing games in the Premier League.
“We are fighting for the Europe League and Thursday is the most important game for us.”
Mason Mount scored United’s goal and the England international accepted it was another below-par display.
He said: “We need to do better. We need to win this game. We started well but that second half and end of the first half conceding goals where we knew what was coming. We knew they put crosses in the box and we need to defend that better. We can perform better in the game.”
Bees continue to buzz under Frank
It was a third win on the trot for Brentford, who remain in the hunt for a place in Europe next season.
Boss Thomas Frank said: “I think we definitely have momentum. The last 13 we’ve had a really good run of games, there’s a flow of playing well. We need to keep that up. The next one is the most important game and that’s Ipswich away.
“It’s already a good season, let’s see if it can be a good or incredible season.”
