Analysis: No way back from Man Utd's terrible start

For the second time this season, Bruno Fernandes failed to convert a penalty that might have given Manchester United additional reward.

He ballooned his effort over the crossbar at Fulham, but this time his aim was true. However, Caoimhin Kelleher read it and Brentford cleared.

There are complaints over whether Nathan Collins should have been sent off for his grab at Bryan Mbeumo - the Premier League backed up referee Craig Pawson as it felt Mbeumo did not have control of the ball - and the huge delay between the award of the penalty and it being taken hardly helped Fernandes.

However, United need to look at themselves.

Harry Maguire is always likely to try and play safe than engage in a one-on-one foot race, which is why he stepped up to play Igor Thiago offside as Jordan Henderson released his pass.

But the defender did not get his positioning right and he had no chance of making up ground as Thiago raced to the edge of the area before smashing his shot in.

Kevin Schade creating their second from a wide position was not a surprise. Brentford repeatedly tried to exploit the space left by United's wing-backs as they pushed forward.

Luke Shaw was fully extended, trying to cover the gaps on the left, and De Ligt tried to do the same on the right.

United did not have enough manpower though and again the focus for a damaging defeat will be on Ruben Amorim's refusal to change systems, as their winless away run was extended to eight league games - their longest since 2019.