DIOGO DALOT suffered the most as Manchester United were well beaten by Brentford.
The defender was making his return from injury in West London but was unable to inspire a positive result.
Byran Mbeumo was a bright spark on his return to the Bees and was a constant threat in the attack.
Igor Thiago’s brace put Brentford ahead before Benjamin Sesko‘s first in United’s colours.
But Bruno Fernandes’ penalty miss left Ruben Amorim‘s side chasing the game and the defeat was confirmed when Mathias Jensen fired home in the dying moments.
Here’s how SunSport’s Katherine Walsh rated each United player’s performance…
BRENTFORD 3 MAN UTD 1
Fernandes misses late penalty as Amorim’s flops back to square one
Altay Bayindir – 5
Never mind corners and crosses, the Turkey international couldn’t cope with Michael Kayode’s long throws in the six-yard box.
But the 27-year-old came up with some vital saves as Brentford threatened to unleash another 4-0 defeat on United.
He pulled off two excellent saves in quick succession to keep the Bees at bay before parrying the ball out for Thiago’s second in 20 minutes.
Saved Dango Ouattara’s low shot in acres of space to deny 3-1 after being left vulnerable by his backline. Before another handy error saw him easily beaten by sub Mathias Jensen’s goal.
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Diogo Dalot – 3
The Portugal international was forced back too early with Noussair Mazraoui sidelined again.
Looked way off the pace on his first return from injury, caught in no man’s land for Brentford’s second as Thiago ran in behind with the freedom of Manchester in front.
Was fortunate that De Ligt got back with some key interceptions because it would’ve been a bigger deficit at half-time otherwise. Poor pass in behind ruined another United move.
Too easily beaten by Kevin Schade who almost set up a third goal. But his best bit of play came when he sent Cunha in behind for a cross to cause the scuffed penalty.
Matthijs De Ligt – 5
Appeared to continue his strong form with an important tackle on Kevin Schade in the early minutes before Maguire’s mess-up put the visitors behind.
Lost his duel with Thiago for Brentford’s second but was on hand with some timely headed clearances and a big tackle before the break.
But a poorly skimmed header almost put Brentford through before he got back to block Thiago. Slipped in an awful area, yards from his goal line.
Harry Maguire – 3
The England defender was disastrously caught sleeping to keep Igor Thiago onside at the half-way for his rocket inside eight minutes.
Weak effort in trying to get back too, almost praying for the linesman’s flag. Second to every contested ball thereafter in the first-half.
Patrick Dorgu – 5
Dorgu and Shaw were easily picked off by Dango Ouattara and Kayode as the home side wreaked havoc in the opening 30 minutes.
But the Dane did well to keep Manuel Ugarte’s pass to send a loopy cross in for 2-1. Didn’t have much influence after that.
Luke Shaw – 5
Shaw’s inconsistent form perfectly sums up the club. He followed up his poor City showing with a brilliant performance against Chelsea, but was off it again here today.
The traditional full-back, now part of the back three, was fortunate to have not been punished by his dangerously short passes into Dorgu when the game was in the balance.
Some weak tackles and aimless clearing down the flanks added pressure to his team. But a big intervention before coming off boosts his score.
Manuel Ugarte – 5
Inevitable change after Casemiro’s red card against Chelsea last Saturday and struggled in a wide-open midfield.
Characteristically gave away senseless fouls when United were under the cosh. But a fast run forward into Dorgu led to United’s first goal.
Keith Andrew’s side knew Ugarte couldn’t keep hold of the ball on the turn once under pressure. Hauled off for Mainoo on the hour mark.
Bruno Fernandes – 4
Missed his second spot-kick of the season with a powerless effort straight at Kelleher after waiting around for four minutes for a red card check.
But absolutely nothing came through the centre of the pitch for United.
Fernandes cut a frustrated figure as he desperately tried to push forward while also committing to his new deeper midfield role.
United couldn’t get their captain on the ball enough in attacking areas and he was spread too thin. His temper boiled over when he was booked for a high foot 10 minutes into the second-half.
Fernandes is not known for his defensive capabilities and was out-jumped by Nathan Collins inside the box for another home side chance.
Matheus Cunha – 5
Found Sesko on a number of occasions but it was often too compact. Was dispossessed before Jordan Henderson’s long ball over the top for Brentford’s opener.
First start since going off against Burnley and his decision-making was off at times, deciding to shoot instead of laying off Fernandes inside 35 minutes.
A limp shot at Kelleher killed another attack when United were chasing a goal. But the Brazilian’s clever run and square for Mbeumo’s penalty.
Bryan Mbeumo – 6
Clapped before kick-off, but booed when on the ball on his first return to the G-tech since his £71m switch to Old Trafford.
The winger did well to put former Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher off for United’s pulled back goal and raced down his side to set up chances in the second-half.
The main creative outlet, winning a penalty against his former side after being pulled back by Collins in the 70th minute.
Benjamin Sesko – 5
Sesko’s off the mark but his first United goal was a scrappy one. The Slovenian finally smashed the ball past Kelleher on his third go at it in the six-yard box.
He couldn’t even celebrate it given how bad his team-mates started the game. Was hardly utilised by his team-mates.
Couldn’t match Cunha and Mbeumo’s thinking at times, sending rushed misplaced passes straight into Brentford’s back two.
SUBS
Kobbie Mainoo (for Ugarte, 66) – 4
Will be disappointed to be left on the bench again. United started to attack better when Mainoo came on.
BUT a casual cross into the box was cleared by Brentford who raced away for 3-1. Amorim was animated at him on the sidelines.
Leny Yoro (for Maguire, 66) – 6
Changing your centre-back after the hour mark is never sensible but Maguire was shaky.
The French youngster came up with an important block to deny Brentford a shot at Bayindir after Fernandes fluffed his lines.
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Mason Mount (for Shaw, 78) – N/A
Perhaps came on too late when United were chasing a goal.
Joshua Zirkzee (for Dorgu, 84) – N/A
United forwards of the past would have scored from his looped header over the bar in added time.
