Manchester United’s struggles under Ruben Amorim intensified on Saturday with a 3-1 loss to Brentford, marking the Portuguese manager’s 17th Premier League defeat in 33 games and raising fresh questions about his tenure at Old Trafford.
The setback at the Gtech Community Stadium overshadowed a weekend of high-stakes action in England’s top flight, where Liverpool fell victim to a late twist against Crystal Palace, Chelsea collapsed against Brighton despite a numerical disadvantage, and Manchester City extended their dominance over Burnley.
Manchester United Stumble at Brentford
United, seeking back-to-back victories for the first time under Amorim, endured a nightmare start against a spirited Brentford side. Striker Igor Thiago struck twice within the opening 20 minutes, exposing defensive vulnerabilities that left the visitors reeling. Benjamin Sesko pulled one back for United shortly afterward, offering a glimmer of hope, but the team failed to capitalize. Their momentum stalled further in the 76th minute when captain Bruno Fernandes saw his penalty saved by goalkeeper Caoimhín Kelleher following a prolonged VAR review over a potential red card for Nathan Collins. Mathias Jensen sealed Brentford’s triumph with a stunning late strike, condemning United to another damaging result.
Post-match, Amorim remained defiant amid speculation about his future. “I am always comfortable with the job,” he told the BBC. “I am not concerned. It is not my decision. I will do the best I can every minute I am here.” He emphasized that his players had been thoroughly prepared with a clear strategy, but attributed the poor performance to the “pressure” of representing United. “Sometimes in the games when things are really hard, they are not the same,” Amorim explained. “Today we played the game of Brentford, not our game. When you play the opponent’s game, it’s harder to win in the end.” Despite his resolve to focus on the next fixture and rebuild momentum, the defeat highlighted ongoing inconsistencies, with United’s early collapse mirroring issues seen in training preparations gone awry.
Liverpool Stunned by Late Palace Winner
Elsewhere, Liverpool experienced a role reversal in their 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Having mastered late comebacks this season, Arne Slot’s men were outplayed in the first half, conceding an early goal to Ismalia Sarr. Federico Chiesa’s 87th-minute equalizer appeared to salvage a point, but substitute Eddie Nketiah delivered a dramatic winner in stoppage time. The result propelled Palace to second place, extending their unbeaten streak to 18 matches across all competitions, and underscored the value of retaining captain Marc Guéhi amid summer transfer interest from Liverpool.
Chelsea Crumble Against Brighton After Red Card
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea’s vulnerabilities were laid bare in a 3-1 loss to Brighton, compounded by Trevoh Chalobah’s 53rd-minute red card—the second such dismissal in consecutive league games for Enzo Maresca’s side. Brighton capitalized in added time, with Maxim De Cuyper heading home unmarked and Danny Welbeck netting his second of the match to complete the turnaround, leaving the hosts stunned after a labored performance.
Manchester City Rout Burnley with Haaland Brace
In contrast, Manchester City cruised to a 5-1 victory over Burnley at the Etihad, marking their 14th consecutive win against the Clarets. Despite pre-match focus on Kyle Walker’s return, it was Matheus Nunes who restored City’s lead with a 61st-minute volley after Jaidon Anthony had equalized an early own goal by Maxime Estève. Estève’s second own goal soon followed, before Erling Haaland’s quickfire brace added polish to the scoreline, easing any nerves in what had briefly become a tense affair.
United Face Growing Pressure
As the dust settles on this round of fixtures, Manchester United’s predicament stands out, with Amorim’s side now under mounting scrutiny. The results across the board reflect the Premier League’s unrelenting intensity, where early lapses and late drama can define campaigns. United’s next challenge will be pivotal in determining whether they can arrest their slide and regain stability under their beleaguered manager.
