A youthful Manchester United suffered a thrilling Premier League defeat on Sunday afternoon, falling short in a 4-3 loss against European-chasing Brentford.
Ruben Amorim rang the changes in his starting XI, making eight modifications for the trip to the Gtech Community Stadium.
Interestingly, 17-year-old Chido Obi led the line for his first start for the club, with fellow academy talents Tyler Fredricson and Harry Amass joining the Dane from the opening whistle.
Despite taking the lead early in the first half through Mason Mount, inexperience and a lack of cohesion within a heavily rotated group were evident, with the focus immediately shifting to Thursday’s crucial Europa League tie.
A learning experience for a youthful Manchester United against Brentford
Brentford began the stronger of the two, controlling much of the ball during the opening quarter while offering glimpses of their threat from multiple set-piece opportunities.
However, an Alejandro Garnacho counterattack resulted in a pinpoint cross for the onrushing Mason Mount to slot past Mark Flekken for the opener after 15 minutes, emphasising the group cohesion in transition.
But the home side was undeterred and levelled proceedings before the half-hour mark through a Luke Shaw deflection following a passage of defensive complacency from a Michael Kayode long-throw.
Thomas Frank’s men took the lead moments later with an imposing Kevin Schade header at the back post while the injured figure of Matthijs de Ligt lay helplessly waving at the touchline for assistance.
Harry Maguire replaced his Dutch teammate after an unfortunate coming together with Yoane Wissa, as his Europa League availability is now in significant jeopardy.
The story of the opening half was one of an abundance of Brentford set-pieces against a juvenile United side, with a lack of Bruno Fernandes’ creativity supplying a notable void.
Desperate to preserve his starters for continental selection, Amorim apprehensively unleashed Leny Yoro and Amad for Shaw and Patrick Dorgu at the break, hoping to inject a hint of ball-playing interplay.
The Portuguese tactician then doubled down on his ideal in presenting Christian Eriksen the opportunity to grace his old stomping ground in place of the impressive Mount.
Truthfully, it was a tactic that returned increased command for his side, with Manchester United dictating much of the proceedings and looking the better of the sides for 20 minutes.
But with the visitors probing for an equaliser, Schade doubled his tally after 70 minutes against the run of play, amplifying another frustrating outing for the travelling Manchester faithful.
Wissa added a fourth moments later with a straightforward tap-in following an intricate passage of free-flowing attacking football, although VAR delayed proceedings to confirm he was marginally onside.
Despite the tie seemingly over as a contest, with Victor Lindelof entering the field for Fredricson, Garnacho notched United’s second with a sublime individual effort from distance, with a fraction under 10 minutes remaining.
Given the Reds’ exploits against Lyon at Old Trafford, a hint of nervous energy began to surface from the home support, particularly with confirmation of seven minutes of injury time.
Amad hammered a third with two minutes remaining in London, with a raucous Red Army drowning out the groans inside the ground. But it was too little, too late from United, with the wait for a Premier League win extending to six games ahead of Thursday’s arrival of Athletic Club.
Amorim’s men sit 15th on 39 points from 35 games, with an astonishing 16 defeats to their name during the most forgettable of domestic campaigns.
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