Bruno Fernandes has become Manchester United’s nearly man from the spot and his latest failure summed up another miserable afternoon for Ruben Amorim’s side.
The Portuguese midfielder saw his penalty saved by Caoimhin Kelleher after Nathan Collins wrestled Bryan Mbeumo to the ground. United screamed for a red card but referee Craig Pawson only pointed to the spot and the Premier League backed him by insisting Mbeumo never had full control. Fernandes struck firmly enough but Kelleher guessed right and Brentford cleared their lines with ease.
It was the second time this season Fernandes has fluffed from twelve yards. At Fulham he sent his effort into the stands. This time he hit the target but the outcome was the same. No goal no lift and no points.
United’s problems though run much deeper than one man’s wayward penalties. Their defending once again looked shambolic and Harry Maguire was at the heart of it. The centre half tried to step up and catch Igor Thiago offside as Jordan Henderson slid the ball through. He mistimed it completely leaving Thiago clear. The Brentford striker sprinted to the edge of the box and smashed home without a challenge in sight.
From there United were on the ropes. Brentford sensed weakness and went straight for the flanks. Kevin Schade carved them open down the wing and supplied the second. United’s wing backs had gone wandering. Luke Shaw was caught trying to plug gaps on the left while Matthijs de Ligt was stranded on the right. Both were overworked both exposed and neither had the legs to stop the danger.
The lack of defensive cover is a direct result of Amorim’s stubborn system. Week after week he refuses to abandon his set up even as United’s away form continues to nosedive. This latest defeat stretches their winless league run on the road to eight matches. Not since 2019 have the club endured such a barren spell.
For supporters the frustration is mounting. The same mistakes keep repeating. A soft underbelly at the back. A midfield that cannot control games. Forwards who look increasingly desperate. Fernandes was supposed to be the captain who set standards but he looks weighed down by the armband. His missed penalties are now symbols of a wider malaise.
Amorim insists his methods will pay off. The evidence suggests otherwise. United’s season is already drifting towards disaster. Their rivals are pulling away and the fear is that once again there will be no Champions League football at Old Trafford.
This was not just a defeat. It was another reminder that the club remains miles off the pace. Unless something changes quickly there really is no way back from this terrible start.