MORE PENALTY MISERY FOR MANCHESTER UNITED AND BRUNO FERNANDES IN BRENTFORD LOSS

Bruno Fernandes failed from the penalty spot again as Manchester United were beaten 3-1 at Brentford.

Igor Thiago’s first-half double put Brentford in command before United were handed a lifeline by Benjamin Sesko’s first goal since his £73million move from RB Leipzig.

Substitute Mathias Jensen sealed matters in the fifth of eight minutes of stoppage time after Fernandes had wasted a golden chance to equalise with the contest having moved into the final quarter.

Bryan Mbeumo, back at Brentford after ending a six-year stay with the Bees in the summer, was dragged down by Nathan Collins in front of goal.

But Fernandes, who missed the target from 12 yards at Fulham last month, was wasteful as Caoimhin Kelleher went to his left and saved with a strong hand.

Brentford had won only once in the Premier League and started the day just outside the bottom three, but an excellent team performances was typified by the excellent Jordan Henderson and Mikkel Damsgaard in midfield and Thiago’s clinical finishing.

Diogo Dalot, Manuel Ugarte and Matheus Cunha returned after United’s win over Chelsea with boss Ruben Amorim’s hand forced by injury and suspension.

Noussair Mazraoui was injured, Casemiro ruled out by his Chelsea red card, and Amad Diallo unavailable due to a family bereavement.

It meant summer signings Cunha, Mbeumo – who received a warm reception on his Brentford return – and Sesko lined up in the United attack for the first time .

Brentford profited from the first main action after eight minutes as Cunha went to ground and Henderson spotted Thiago’s run.

Thiago advanced to crash a shot high off the post past Altay Bayindir, and the subsequent VAR check showed the Brazilian had been played onside by Harry Maguire’s back foot.

Cunha drove wide from 20 yards as United sought to recover from the early setback.

But Bayindir had to make two fine stops in the space of a minute, palming out Sepp van den Berg’s point-blank effort and acrobatically tipping over a Collins header after Henderson had found space.

Brentford were swarming all over United and doubled their lead after 20 minutes.

Maguire played Kevin Schade onside this time and Bayindir could only divert his cross into the path of Thiago, who squeezed the ball over the line despite the desperate effort of the United goalkeeper to salvage the situation.

Sesko fired straight at Kelleher, but the Slovenian striker did not have to wait long to open his United account.

Mbeumo competed with Kelleher under Patrick Dorgu’s cross and the ball fell kindly for Sesko.

Kelleher kept out two attempts – a header and a stabbed shot – but Sesko slammed home at the third attempt and the goal stood after VAR had checked Mbeumo’s challenge on the goalkeeper.

Cunha’s low drive was collected comfortably, but the second half was a more sedate affair until Schade got the better of Dalot and Dango Ouattara was denied by Bayindir.

United’s frustration grew after Collins was spared a red card, despite not appearing to try and play the ball when holding back Mbeumo, and Fernandes missed from the spot.

Jensen’s thunderous drive finally saw off United as jubilant Brentford fans directed cries of “you’re getting sacked in the morning” at Amorim.

- Phil Blanche, PA

PREMIER LEAGUE CONFIRM ANDY MADLEY AND MATT DONOHUE DECISION AFTER MAN UNITED VAR CONTROVERSY

Manchester United news as Premier League referee appointments for the mid-week fixtures are confirmed after weekend controversy

Andy Madley will referee in the Premier League this week(Image: Getty Images)

Premier League referee Andy Madley has been confirmed to officiate Nottingham Forest vs Arsenal on Wednesday night following the VAR controversy in Manchester United's draw with Everton.

The Red Devils came from 2-0 down to 2-2 on Saturday thanks to second-half goals from Bruno Fernandes and Manuel Ugarte. However, Everton were denied a late penalty with Ashley Young going down inside the box.

After Andre Onana parried a shot, the ex-United star fell to the floor after minimal contact from Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt. Madley initially awarded a penalty to the home side but VAR intervened to change the decision.

Matt Donohue, who was the VAR, suggested that Madley watched the incident on the on-field screen before the referee overturned the decision and no penalty was awarded. After the game, Everton boss David Moyes slammed the decision, claiming De Ligt pulled Young's shirt.

"I can’t understand. He (De Ligt) pulled his jersey," said Moyes. "I just thought the referee made the correct decision at the time and he should stick with it. I think everybody who watches football we're all looking forward to seeing a referee saying 'no, no I'm sticking with it'.

"If it's absolutely clear and obvious that’s what we’ve got VAR for, but I didn't think it needed to get involved. It’s frustrating. It looked to me like the shirt pull needed to be given. You shouldn't be getting away with pulling jerseys."

With Premier League action returning in mid-week, both Madley and Donohue have been handed games. Madley will referee the huge game at the City Ground between Forest and Arsenal on Wednesday while Donohue will oversee VAR on Tuesday for Brighton vs Bournemouth.

Derek Eaton, who was assistant VAR at Goodison Park, will join Paul Tierney in the VAR booth at Stockley Park for Wolves vs Fulham at Molineux. Darren England will referee United's clash with Ipswich Town on Wednesday.

- Josh Holland

'MY JOB IS SO HARD' - ADMITS MANCHESTER UNITED ISSUES MOUNTAIN AMID INJURIES

Ruben Amorim was forced to name a depleted squad against Tottenham (John Walton/PA)

Ruben Amorim bemoaned how hard his Manchester United job was after his injury-hit team lost 1-0 at Tottenham on a day where Amad Diallo was ruled out for the rest of the season.

Diallo sustained an innocuous ankle ligament injury in training this week but was not the only absentee in north London with Kobbie Mainoo, Manuel Ugarte and Toby Collyer unavailable with knocks, while Leny Yoro and Christian Eriksen were ill.

The aforementioned six joined the likes of Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw and Mason Mount on the treatment table, which left Amorim with limited options at Spurs as he largely named a bench full of teenagers and watched his team lose for a 12th time in the Premier League this term to drop to 15th.

Amad Diallo has been ruled out for the rest of the season (Martin Rickett/PA)

“I have a lot of problems. My job is so hard but I’m here to continue my job to the next week with my beliefs. I will try to do it, I will try to win again,” Amorim told Sky Sports, with a trip to in-form Everton up next.

“In this moment it is more than the idea or system. In this moment it is like survive and to think the small things, improve the small things for the next game, to not even look at the table or the schedule or nothing.

“Of course I have to because we have a lot of games and we have three competitions with a small squad at the moment.

“That part is my part but the players, everyone in Carrington, just focus on the next game, the next training and that is our goal.

United are down to 15th after defeat at Tottenham (John Walton/PA)

“Just focus on the next game and let’s do everything to win some games to finish the season and then think in the big picture.

“In this moment it is to try to keep the players healthy, recover some players and to focus on what we have to in the next game. That is our goal.”

However, former United defender Gary Neville was critical of Amorim’s tactics and in particular his deployment of midfielders Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, during Sky’s commentary on the game.

Neville said: “United may win today and may score goals, but I have to say that the structure of the team is awful.

“The gaps in that midfield between Fernandes and Casemiro. That’s a tactic, they’ve been asked to do that, Bruno’s been asked to come out to this side and it isn’t right.

“Bruno Fernandes is playing right-wing, the two of them in midfield are split, it’s embarrassing. You wouldn’t see this in under-9s or under-10s football.”

Amorim expressed hope that Yoro and Eriksen would return for Saturday’s clash at Goodison Park but does not expect Mainoo to be available.

He added: “It’s hard to know. Let’s wait a few more days. I think Leny and Chris were sick so they will recover.

“Of course Chris has the heart situation and we have to be really careful with that. It’s nothing about the heart. I am just saying the heart rate has to be controlled because he has a fever. I think he will recover.

“The rest we will see. Kobbie is out. Amad is out for sure until the end of the season.”

Quizzed on what the injuries are down to, Amorim insisted: “I think it is everything together.

“Amad was alone. He was doing a tackle. The feet were sticking in the grass and some players felt during training sickness so it is everything.

“Sometimes in moments, everything goes wrong but we have to face the challenge and to focus on the next game. That’s all.”

- George Sessions

MAN UNITED 'WANT TO SELL' TOP STAR 'TO COVER COST' OF ONE 'BLOCKBUSTER SIGNING' IN THE SUMMER

Alejandro Balde could replace Alejandro Garnacho in the summer transfer window.

Man Utd will look to sell Alejandro Garnacho in the summer transfer window in order to fund a move for Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde, according to reports.

The Red Devils are currently 13th in the Premier League table as they continue their terrible form this season with a crucial clash against 14th-placed Tottenham coming up on Sunday.

Man Utd have failed to improve under new boss Ruben Amorim after the Portuguese coach replaced Erik ten Hag in November with the Red Devils winning just four of their 14 Premier League matches during his tenure.

The Red Devils, who had Erik ten Hag in charge at the time, spent around £180m on new signings in the summer transfer window with Joshua Zirkzee, Noussair Mazraoui, Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro and Manuel Ugarte arriving.

However, that recruitment drive negatively impacted the January transfer window with new manager Amorim afforded one new player in Patrick Dorgu from Lens.

Man Utd are reportedly close to their Premier League profit and sustainability (PSR) limit with the Red Devils even considering sales of young players like Kobbie Mainoo and Garnacho to balance the books.

And now Spanish publication Fichajes claims that Man Utd ‘have a plan to sign a Barcelona star’ in the summer transfer window as they look to give Amorim more balance to his squad.

It is understood that Man Utd ‘want to sell’ Garnacho ‘to cover the cost of a blockbuster signing’ in the form of Barcelona left-back Balde.

The Red Devils are ‘planning an ambitious strategy to strengthen their squad in the upcoming summer transfer market’ with the Spain international becoming ‘a priority target’.

Man Utd are ‘willing to part’ with Argentina international Garnacho ‘whose sale could provide the necessary funds to complete the arrival of the left-back from FC Barcelona’.

Garnacho has proved effective in spells off the bench but is struggling to find a long-term place in Amorim’s starting XI as the Man Utd boss could look to better suited players for his system and style of play.

It is claimed that Amorim ‘highly values his impact on the team and his performance in key moments’ but that ‘United’s delicate financial situation and the need to strengthen the defence could mean the Argentine is the sacrificial piece in the summer’.

On Balde, Amorim ‘believes that his incorporation would strengthen the left wing, where the team is still looking for solutions despite the recent arrival of Patrick Dorgu’.

Barcelona ‘will not let him go easily’ with Balde valued at around €50m by the Catalan giants, while a Garnacho sale shouldn’t be a problem after January interest from both Napoli and Chelsea.

- Joe Williams

RÚBEN AMORIM: YOU GUYS FEEL LIKE KOBBIE MAINOO IS FINISHED PRODUCT - HE IS NOT

Manchester United's Kobbie Mainoo slides into a bank of snow during last weekend's Premier League match at Anfield.

Ruben Amorim has warned Kobbie Mainoo to not believe the hype that he is the “finished article” and to focus on improving amid negotiations over the teenager’s future at Manchester United.

The 19-year-old midfielder, whose contract runs until 2027 with the option of another year, has been a regular for United since progressing to the first team from the academy and is seeking an increase on his £20,000-per-week (€24,000) salary.

Mainoo’s partnership with Manuel Ugarte has given cause for optimism and the duo could start together again today as United travel to Arsenal, where Amorim suffered the first defeat of his reign, in the third round of the FA Cup.

“I think Kobbie Mainoo is improving a lot during the last matches, I think you guys [the media] feel like Kobbie Mainoo is the finished product — he is not, he has so much potential to grow up even more,” Amorim said.

“He is really, really good but he can be so much better. I think he is improving, all the players are improving, all the players are important for me, no matter what.”

United are not actively trying to sell Mainoo but would be open to a substantial offer that could help United comply with profitability and sustainability rules.

United are the FA Cup holders after beating Manchester City in last season’s final. It was enough for Erik ten Hag to keep his job in the short term but continuing poor league form into this season led to his demise.

Today will be Amorim’s first taste of the competition, and it will be a rude introduction against Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal at the Emirates.

The Portuguese head coach has been learning about United’s history by watching documentaries about the club, including one on how Alex Ferguson’s job was saved by winning a third-round match at Nottingham Forest and going on to lift the trophy in 1989-’90.

Asked how the FA Cup can provide a springboard for his tenure, Amorim replied: “Because of the feeling of winning, that feeling gives you so much confidence. If you win one thing you believe that you can win more, then that feeling is addictive. You feel it and then it’s really easy to follow that to try to win it again.”

United have won the FA Cup 13 times — twice since Ferguson left in 2013 — and Amorim, eager to progress in the competition, will not heavily rotate his side but will grant goalkeeper Altay Bayindir a rare start.

United have enjoyed a free midweek since Sunday’s draw at Liverpool and Amorim is eager to find his best XI and build momentum after a difficult run of five defeats in seven Premier League matches.

“The best team depends on them [the players],” Amorim said. “But you can see that the rotation is different now. For example, Manu [Ugarte] is playing more than Casemiro. You can see that some of the guys are winning more the position but for me, the position is always open. It depends on the way they play and the way they train. So I think we are closer [to finding the best XI].

“We have more time [together], we have the games, the evaluation of the games. And now with the small training that we have you can understand better the players and the way you want to play.”

“Sometimes it’s not to choose the best player in the team, it’s the best player that can do the position the way I see it, so we are closer.”

- Will Unwin

MAN UNITED'S DAN ASHWORTH LEAVES AS SPORTING DIRECTOR - SOURCES

Dan Ashworth has left his position as sporting director at Manchester United after just five months, sources have told ESPN.

Ashworth officially arrived in July after a settlement -- running into millions of pounds -- was reached with former club Newcastle United.

The 53-year-old was seen as a key part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's revamp at Old Trafford along with technical director Jason Wilcox and CEO Omar Berrada. But he has departed after overseeing just one transfer window and less than a month after the arrival of new head coach Ruben Amorim.

Sources have told ESPN that Ashworth's move to Old Trafford has not worked out and a decision has been taken to part company. He was at Old Trafford for the 3-2 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Saturday.

Ashworth played a central role -- along with Wilcox and Berrada -- in choosing Amorim as Erik ten Hag's successor. Ten Hag was sacked in October after a miserable start to the new season.

Ashworth oversaw the arrival of five major signings in the summer, with Matthijs de Ligt, Noussair Mazraoui, Manuel Ugarte, Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee arriving for combined fees of more than £180 million ($229.3m).

Defeat to Forest left United 13th in the Premier League table with 19 points -- their lowest tally after 15 games since 1986. They face FC Viktoria Plzen in the Europa League on Thursday and Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday.

- Rob Dawson, Correspondent

MANUEL UGARTE AS MANCHESTER UNITED PLAYER | INTERVIEW

 

MANUEL UGARTE WILL WEAR NO. 25 | MANCHESTER UNITED

 

CHELSEA SET TO RIVAL JUVENTUS FOR JADON SANCHO DEAL - SOURCE

Jadon Sancho has not featured for Manchester United in the Premier League this season. Adam Davy/PA Images via Getty Images

Chelsea are considering rivalling Juventus for the signing of Jadon Sancho, a source has told ESPN.

Manchester United are willing to let the forward leave before Friday's transfer deadline. Juventus have held talks with United, but so far an agreement has not been reached.

Sancho, according to a source, is one of a number of options being considered by Chelsea in the last week of the window.

The 24-year-old is yet to feature for United so far this season after being omitted from the squad for games against Fulham and Brighton.

He has been reintegrated at Old Trafford this summer after spending the second half of last season on loan at Borussia Dortmund.

Sancho came on as a late substitute in the Community Shield defeat to Manchester City, but he hasn't played a competitive game for United for a year following his public fall-out with manager Erik ten Hag in August 2023.

United would prefer to secure a permanent move for Sancho but, so far, clubs have been unwilling to match their valuation of around £40 million ($52.8m).

Sancho's wages of more than £300k per week are also a stumbling block.

He has two years left on the contract he signed when he arrived from Dortmund in a £73 million deal in 2021.

United have not ruled out agreeing to an initial loan deal for Sancho, as long as there's an option or obligation to make the move permanent at the end of the campaign.

Meanwhile, Scott McTominay is in talks with Napoli after United agreed a £25m fee with the Italian side on Sunday.

Should the midfielder decide to join Antonio Conte's team, sources have told ESPN it will give United greater flexibility in their negotiations to bring in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte.

PSG have been holding out for a fee of around £50m for the Uruguay international to recoup the money spent to sign him from Sporting last summer.

- Rob Dawson, Correspondent

MAN UNITED, PSG CONFIDENT OF MANUEL UGARTE DEAL - SOURCES

Manuel Ugarte has not featured for Paris Saint-Germain this season amid ongoing transfer speculation. Franco Arland/Getty Images

Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain are growing more optimistic that a deal for midfielder Manuel Ugarte can be agreed before the transfer deadline, sources have told ESPN.

United, according to a source, are hopeful an agreement can be reached, whether it's an immediate transfer or an initial loan with an obligation or option to make the move permanent next summer.

The 23-year-old is keen to move to Old Trafford and was left out of the squad for PSG's opening Ligue 1 game of the season against Le Havre on Friday.

United have so far refused to agree to meet PSG's £50 million ($60m) valuation of the Uruguay international. There's hope that PSG will have to lower their demands the closer it gets to the transfer deadline on Aug. 30.

Lines of communication between the two clubs have remained open throughout the summer and there is a willingness on both sides to get the deal done.

Sources have told ESPN that United are looking at securing departures for more squad players to give them greater flexibility in negotiations for Ugarte.

The club have already raised around £60 million with the exits of Mason Greenwood, Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Donny van de Beek and Willy Kambwala. Facundo Pellistri and Hannibal Mejbri are also expected to leave.

United will also listen to offers for Victor Lindelöf and Jadon Sancho among others. Sancho has been linked with a move to PSG and although the French club are looking for another forward, a source has told ESPN that the England winger is lower down their list of priorities.

Meanwhile, Napoli remain interested in Scott McTominay. The Scotland midfielder is considering the Italian side as a viable option this summer in the event that the two clubs can reach an agreement on the fee.

United, according to a source, are not trying to force McTominay out but will listen to realistic offers. McTominay, who was named on the bench for the first game of the season against Fulham, is tempted by the prospect of regular football but is yet to make a firm decision on his future.

- Rob Dawson, Correspondent

ERIK TEN HAG WARNS MANCHESTER UNITED NEED DEPTH FOR 'SURVIVAL OF THE FITTEST '

Getty Images 

 Erik ten Hag is concerned that Manchester United need to “catch up on squad depth” with the manager worried that the 60-plus injuries his side suffered last season could happen again due to the load on players.

United have already signed the defender Leny Yoro and forward Joshua Zirkzee this summer. The manager is also pursuing a full-back – Bayern Munich’s Noussair Mazraoui is a target – plus a defensive midfielder, with Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte of interest.

United finished eighth last season, a Premier League-era low mark for the club, and Ten Hag stated that while his first XI is competitive, more quality is required to mitigate against injury.

“We already had very good two buys,” the Dutchman said. “So when everyone is fit we have a team who can beat everyone, but the squad depth we have to catch up because we had injuries.

“We are vulnerable and we have to avoid this by getting less injuries and second, our squad has to be that good,” Ten Hag added. “The quality we have in depth, we have to catch up, but even more because this season will be the survival of the fittest.”

Ten Hag also warned that the events of last season, where a high number of players were struck down by injury, could be repeated. “It can happen again,” he said. “I just mentioned it, it’s survival of the fittest. One of the important things is for you to cover medical [excellence] and performance . The players have to work in the right way because the standards are so high and you have to fulfil them, the highest standards, not only on game day but every day.

“[There are] so many reasons [for the high number],” he added. “The amount of games. The fixture list. The load on the players, the pressure on the players is so high and we are not the only team with so many injuries, we were not even the worst [last term]. Also, bad luck, we had them at the end of the season in the back four and it cost us a lot of points. The load and pressure on players is immense, with the new model in Europe [competitions] next season.”

Ten Hag stated that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos-led assessment of his candidacy to remain as manager, which involved consulting numerous potential replacements, is now forgotten.

“We are now in a new season, we left everything behind, we are looking forward,” the 54-year-old said. “It’s a great project, the process is nice, we go with ups and downs … now we are very energised, good dynamic, good spirit, looking forward, we want to work and we want to win.

“I never think if I’m in a strong position or weak position [now],” added Ten Hag, who has extended his contract at Old Trafford to June 2026. “I want to collaborate, I can’t do this on my own. Players, staff, leadership, everyone [has to help], and I’m sure we will have even more success.”

Marcus Rashford suffered a disappointing campaign last term, scoring only eight goals in all competitions. Ten Hag has backed his striker to return to form after missing out on England’s squad for Euro 2024.

“Rashford can only improve himself, he is capable, he scores so many goals and at a relatively young age he has already scored so many goals, so he is capable of it,” the manager said. “I am confident and have 100% belief he can do the same as two years ago.”

United have appointed Andreas Georgson as a first-team coach, with the Swede having departed Norway’s Lillestrøm, where he had been head coach since January. The club’s next pre-season fixture is against Arsenal at LA’s SoFi Stadium on Saturday evening.