Manchester United yet again suffered defeat in the Premier League as they lost 3-1 to Brentford on Saturday, and one of the club’s more high-profile fans has described the performance as a joke
Manchester United and Ruben Amorim’s 3-1 defeat to Brentford was dubbed “a joke” by Usain Bolt. Exiled defender Tyrell Malacia also sent the Red Devils’ head coach a telling message.
Amorim’s men suffered their third loss of the new Premier League season on Saturday when they travelled to the Gtech Community Stadium. Bees striker Igor Thiago fired in a first-half double before Benjamin Sesko pulled one back, and although United were given a penalty on 76 minutes, Bruno Fernandes failed to convert.
Brentford bagged a third goal to seal United’s fate deep in added time, and during a calamitous first half, one of the club’s more high-profile fans, 100m and 200m world record holder Bolt, branded the performance a “joke.”
Elsewhere, shunned left-back Malacia has sent his manager a message with some training efforts, and Rio Ferdinand has warned the head coach that one player must be reintegrated into the starting XI, as Mirror Football brings you the latest news from Old Trafford.
Usain Bolt calls performance a “joke”
Brentford’s first goal on Saturday saw Harry Maguire play striker Thiago onside before he slotted home past Altay Bayindir after just nine minutes. Less than 10 minutes later, and it was 2-0, the Brazilian bagging his second, with United’s goalkeeper parrying a cross into his path.
READ MORE: Premier League issue VAR explanation after Man Utd red card controversy vs BrentfordREAD MORE: Bruno Fernandes penalty saved as dismal Man Utd beaten at Brentford – 5 talking points
This disastrous opening 20 minutes had some fans up in arms, and even Bolt couldn’t help but voice his frustrations. He took to social media and posted to X: “This must be a joke.”
Fans in the comments of this post were equally as frustrated, with one writing: “United are a joke. Have been for a decade.” Another added: “Even Bolt cannot believe how useless this club is.”
Although Sesko pulled one back for the visitors, his first goal for the club, Amorim’s side were yet again defeated. The Portuguese head coach is yet to win two consecutive Premier League matches in charge of the Red Devils.
Tyrell Malacia sends a message
Away from the Brentford clash, outcast Malacia has proven to potential suitors and Amorim that he is ready to play. Failing to secure a move away this summer was another blow for the Dutchman, who has endured a torrid spell in Manchester after being brought to the club under Erik ten Hag.
Though he arrived as a potential starting full-back, Malacia has found minutes tough to come by. He was sidelined for over 500 days after suffering a knee injury in 2023, which hasn’t helped his cause.
Moves to Elche in Spain and Turkey didn’t materialise over the summer, after he spent the second half of last season on loan at PSV. Now, Malacia finds himself in exile, not suited to Amorim’s wing-backed formation.
However, the 26-year-old has indicated that he is ready to lace up his boots again, posting to Instagram videos of himself training at non-league side Trafford FC. He has shown both Amorim and any coaches of clubs who could look to take him on in January that he is keeping match-fit.
Rio Ferdinand makes Kobbie Mainoo demand
Kobbie Mainoo was introduced after 66 minutes against Brentford, and while he failed to make too much of an impact, he has shown glimpses of promise in recent weeks. Amorim continues to play Manuel Ugarte at the base of his midfield, however.
Red Devils icon Ferdinand thinks the head coach must do all he can to get Mainoo more minutes, and he told the MEN: “If he was agitating to get a loan now, if he is not playing in January, he will be agitating and knocking the door down even more to go and get game time.
“You have to have two hats in these situations. If you think about it, being a player again, you have got to be thinking about yourself in these situations. You are lucky to go to multiple tournaments in your career, you are lucky to go to just one tournament, so I understand that with my selfish, football player hat on, thinking about England and yourself.
“But, at the same time, if you are thinking long-term for Manchester United, I think Manchester United have to find a way of getting this kid in the team, he is a huge talent.”
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