Manchester United‘s season lurched further into crisis with a dismal 3-1 defeat away to Brentford in the Premier League. The result was not just a loss, but a tactical and mental collapse that exposed several deep-rooted issues within Ruben Amorim’s squad, piling immense pressure on the Portuguese manager.
Here are three key takeaways from the performance in West London.
1. Ruben Amorim’s back-three system is a critical, exploitable flaw
The most glaring issue for Manchester United was brutally clear: the manager’s preferred 3-4-2-1 formation is a fundamental weakness that is too easily exploited. Brentford did not need a complex tactical masterplan to cause chaos; they simply needed to play direct, long balls over the top. Both of Igor Thiago’s first-half goals came from this simple tactic, which completely dissected United’s defensive line. The back three looked disjointed, disorganized, and unsure of their roles and responsibilities. For a Premier League team to be so consistently undone by such a basic approach is alarming and points directly to a tactical stubbornness from the manager that is costing the team dearly.
2. The penalty miss exposed a deeper crisis of confidence
When United were awarded a penalty in the 75th minute, it was a golden chance to level the game at 2-2 and salvage a result. For the captain and typically most reliable player, Bruno Fernandes, to have his spot-kick saved was more than just a single mistake; it was a symptom of a much wider problem. It speaks to a deep-seated lack of confidence and mental fortitude that is currently crippling the squad. The pressure of the situation is clearly affecting even the team’s strongest leaders. That missed penalty was the moment the belief visibly drained from the side, proving that the team’s issues are not just tactical, but psychological.
3. Benjamin Šeško’s first goal is the only silver lining
On an afternoon filled with negatives, the one glimmer of hope for Manchester United fans was the first goal for new signing Benjamin Šeško. While the goal itself was a scrappy effort, born from a goalkeeping error, it showcased the desire and persistence of the young striker. To be rated as United’s best player on the day in a heavy defeat is a sign that he, at least, was trying to make a difference. While the team failed collectively, their big summer signing opening his account provides the only positive to take away from a miserable performance and offers something to build on for the future.