Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes had a penalty saved as his side slumped to a 3-1 Premier League defeat at Brentford on Saturday, with Igor Thiago scoring twice for the hosts.
Fernandes, awarded a spot kick for a foul on former Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo, was forced to wait several minutes due to VAR checks before taking it. His weak effort was comfortably stopped by goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher, denying United the chance to draw level.
Brentford sealed victory in stoppage time when Mathias Jensen finished a quick counter-attack with a powerful strike, handing the Bees their second league win of the season. The result lifted them above United on goal difference, with the visitors slipping to 13th on seven points.
United’s problems began early as Thiago struck twice within the opening 20 minutes. The Brazilian pounced on Harry Maguire’s poor positioning for his first, before reacting quickest to a rebound for his second. He now has four goals in his first six league matches.
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Benjamin Sesko briefly restored hope for United, scoring his first goal for the club in the 26th minute after a scramble in the box, but Ruben Amorim’s men failed to build momentum after the break.
“It is always the same to lose at this club, it hurts a lot,” Amorim told TNT Sports. “We need to play our own game, not the opponent’s, but they were stronger.”
The defeat extended United’s winless run away from home in the league to eight matches and increased pressure on Amorim, who was subjected to chants of “sacked in the morning” from Brentford fans.
Fernandes, who looked dejected as he applauded the travelling supporters, was left to rue his costly miss as United’s early-season struggles deepened.
