Man Utd fall short at Brentford as Ruben Amorim plan left in ruins - 5 talking points

Brentford condemned to more misery at the Gtech Community Stadium with a swashbuckling 4-3 victory to bring and Co back down to earth.

Amorim as United's big-name stars from midweek were afforded time to recuperate ahead of the second leg of their semi-final against Athletic Bilbao next week.

United's youthful team even hit the front after 14 minutes when finished a neat one-touch move from six yards after being teed up by . But they had to weather an early storm to do so and got the leveller their play merited just over 10 minutes later when a Mikkel Damsgaard effort was diverted into the back of United's net by . They then turned the game completely on its head through Kevin Schade just six minutes later to leave United shellshocked.

The visitors improved after the break as Amorim turned to his bench. But a second from Schade and another goal from Yoane Wissa helped Brentford over the line as goals from Garnacho and Amad helped set up a grandstand finish.

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1. Brilliant Brentford

United may have struck first but it was Brentford who were in the ascendancy from the word go. They were slick and purposeful going forward and it always felt like the pressure would eventually tell on a youthful Manchester United team, even if Mount's 14th minute opener wasn't in the script for the hosts.

This result keeps them in the mix for European qualification and on this evidence - plus the fixtures they have outstanding - you wouldn't bet against them. Thomas Frank has been given his flowers on more than one occasion during Brentford's top-flight tenure but he deserves so much more. Quite how one of the 'Big Six' have not come calling is beyond belief given the managerial turnover we've seen in some quarters. The only danger for Brentford is that more of the same - and a European tour - could change that.

2. More capital punishment

United had won just three of their previous 21 games played in London prior to their joust with the Bees. And while this loss may not be as bruising as some of the 15 they had suffered beforehand in the league given their personnel changes, their latest showing in the capital certainly won't live long in the memory.

Bar the odd moment - particularly their opening goal - United look second best all over the pitch against a Brentford side who were snapping at their heels. If anything, Amorim's men were fortunate to make it to the break just one goal behind as the hosts unloaded a barrage of attacks on them towards the end of the first-half, with Altay Bayindir putting a nervy start behind him to keep the Bees at bay.

But he couldn't keep Brentford at bay as the hosts gleefully set about laying down a market to their European rivals - even if they did have to survive a late scare.

3. Amorim's best laid plans go astray

United can still salvage what has been a sorry season with victory in the Europa League, which would land them a golden ticket to the next year. So Amorim absolutely made the right move in shuffling his pack and resting a host of his more established stars given United are going nowhere fast in the Premier League standings between now and the end of the month.

But United did not leave the capital unscathed with Matthijs de Ligt suffering an injury in the build-up to Brentford's second goal. The former man did not look at all comfortable as he left the pitch and it wouldn't be a surprise to see him miss the biggest match of United's season on Thursday when they try and book their spot in the Europa League final.

That will be a bitter pill to swallow for both him and Amorim, who would have been desperate to head back up the M1 with a clean bill of health.

4. Brentford's secret weapon

In an era where tactics are king and players are drilled to within an inch of their life, the havoc that Brentford's Michael Kayode caused with his long throws was almost refreshing.

Manchester United looked vulnerable from set-pieces all afternoon and it was no surprise that their leveller came from the second phase of a Kayode special. It was the Italian who beat Harry Amass in the air to keep the play alive and Brentford bagged the ultimate reward. The 20-year-old is no one-trick pony, though: he was just as impressive in open play and will only get better as he acclimatises to the Premier League.

United's recruitment is often scrutinised but Brentford more than often get it right in the transfer market. Kayode - signed on loan with an option in January - looks like another win.

5. Mbuemo makes his mark

Manchester United are in need of a big summer if they are to banish this sorry season to the history books. Bryan Mbeumo is just one of a host of players who have been linked with United in recent weeks, and Sunday's game was the perfect occasion for him to show why.

And even on a quiet afternoon, the Cameroon international conjured up some magic in the second half to put the game beyond United, awaking from his slumber to put the ball on a plate for Brentford's third goal.

Mbuemo, 25, is versatile, deadly in the final third and affordable when compared to some of United's previous transfer dealings. This may not have been the complete 'audition' of sorts if United are mulling over a move, but Mbuemo's quality is undeniable. His assist underlined that and how United could do with somebody capable of conjuring up moments like that to ease the burden on .

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