Amorim’s turbulent tenure at Manchester United took another damaging hit on Saturday as his side fell to a 3-1 defeat against Brentford in the Premier League. A brace from Igor Thiago and a late goal from Mathias Jensen condemned United to their third loss in just six league matches this season, leaving head coach Ruben Amorim under increasing pressure.
Despite a brief lifeline provided by Benjamin Sesko’s first goal for the club, United’s latest collapse in west London has intensified scrutiny around the Portuguese manager, who only arrived at Old Trafford in November following Erik ten Hag’s departure.
Coming into the clash, Amorim had hoped to finally secure back-to-back league victories after a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Chelsea. Instead, his side once again looked fragile, disjointed, and vulnerable in defence—qualities that have become a hallmark of his short spell in charge.
Brentford, led by relatively inexperienced boss Keith Andrews, capitalised on United’s poor organisation with two early goals from Igor Thiago in the first 20 minutes. The first came after just eight minutes when Jordan Henderson lofted a precise ball over the top, exposing United’s high defensive line. Harry Maguire’s failed offside trap allowed Thiago to slot home clinically past Altay Bayindir.
The second followed soon after. Thiago flicked a header into the path of Kevin Schade, who burst into the box and forced a save from Bayindir. Thiago was alert to the rebound and tapped in his second of the game, making it five goals for him this season—more than the entire United frontline combined.
Bruno Fernandes Misses Key Penalty as Amorim’s Woes Mount
Although Benjamin Sesko pulled one back in the 26th minute after Caoimhin Kelleher failed to handle Patrick Dorgu’s cross, United failed to build any meaningful momentum. Defensive frailties persisted, with Diogo Dalot being outmuscled in the box and United nearly conceding a third before half-time.
In the 75th minute, Amorim was handed a potential turning point when a VAR check confirmed a penalty for United after Nathan Collins tugged Bryan Mbeumo in the area. Up stepped captain Bruno Fernandes, but his weak and telegraphed attempt was easily saved by Kelleher, sparking frustration among fans and coaching staff alike.
As United pushed forward in desperation during stoppage time, Brentford struck the final blow. Mathias Jensen broke forward on a counterattack, cutting inside before unleashing a rocket into the top corner to seal Brentford’s victory and deepen Amorim’s crisis.
This defeat sees Manchester United stuck in 13th place, with only two wins from their first six Premier League games under Amorim. The Red Devils are already drifting away from the top-four picture, and the pressure is becoming unbearable for the 40-year-old coach.
Amorim’s appointment from Sporting Lisbon in November was met with cautious optimism, given his success in Portugal and his reputation for developing young players. However, since his arrival, United have suffered several embarrassing results, including a shocking League Cup exit to fourth-tier Grimsby Town and a 3-0 thrashing at the hands of Manchester City.
A brief reprieve came last weekend with a win over Chelsea, but Saturday’s result has undone much of that goodwill.
The mood around Old Trafford is turning sour. Reports suggest Amorim has considered resigning in recent weeks, even admitting publicly that he sometimes “hates” his players—a rare and alarming admission from a top-flight manager.
Despite backing from minority co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe in a recent meeting at Carrington, results like this will inevitably raise doubts about the coach’s future. Ratcliffe’s patience may wear thin if United fail to win next weekend at home to newly-promoted Sunderland, especially with a daunting trip to Anfield against reigning champions Liverpool looming.
United’s fixture list does Amorim no favours. The upcoming match against Sunderland has now become a must-win clash, not just for the club’s standing, but for Amorim’s job security. A failure to secure three points could force the board into making another managerial change, less than a year after Ten Hag’s dismissal.
In terms of personnel, Amorim’s selection choices have also been under the spotlight. While Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha showed flashes of promise, their inconsistency mirrors that of the team overall. Defensively, United continue to leak goals, with Harry Maguire and Diogo Dalot often at the centre of critical lapses in concentration.
With each passing game, Amorim is finding it harder to justify his position. What began as a promising new chapter for Manchester United is quickly turning into a familiar story of underachievement, tactical uncertainty, and lost identity.
Unless things change dramatically—and fast—Amorim’s time at Old Trafford may be over before it ever truly began.
Source- EWN
