Report: Brentford 3 United 1

A ground that holds painful memories provided more agony after Bruno Fernandes saw his second-half penalty saved, as the Reds came close to salvaging something from the trip to west London.

United had slipped two goals behind inside the first 20 minutes, Igor Thiago scoring them both.

Benjamin Sesko's first for the club halved the deficit and looked like sparking a recovery, but Fernandes missed from the spot after Nathan Collins pulled back the returning Bryan Mbeumo, and Matthias Jensen produced the match-settling third in added time.

FIRST HALF - SESKO DELIVERS A LIFELINE

Brentford have scored first in five of their six matches so far this season, so it wasn’t the greatest surprise when they broke the deadlock.

However, the manner of the eighth-minute goal left many in west London scratching their heads. Jordan Henderson thundered a ball forward and, at first glance, Igor Thiago appeared some way offside.

With no flag he put his foot down, rampaging forwards towards goal before applying a ferocious finish. A VAR check was always going to be forthcoming, but Harry Maguire’s hanging leg played the Brazilian on.

Matheus Cunha set about repairing the early damage as he flashed his shot just wide, but before too long United’s task became a lot greater.

The warning siren couldn’t have been louder: Altay Bayindir was called into action twice inside a minute to impressively deny Brentford as we struggled to deal with the aerial bombardment.

Bayindir was powerless to prevent Thiago stabbing in from close range after parrying Kevin Schade’s shot into his path.

Like the Bees’ opener, it provoked a response from United - but this time it came with a reward.

Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu launched a high cross from the left, Caoimhin Kelleher wasn’t convincing under pressure and Mbeumo was a nuisance.

After his initial header was bundled away, and Kelleher saved another effort, Sesko slammed home the follow-up for the first of what his new fans hope will be many goals, picking an opportune moment to open his account.

Brentford have dropped eight points from winning positions already this season, and the teams went in to the interval knowing further twists were likely.

SECOND HALF - PENALTY AGONY FOR BRUNO

Cunha, collecting a quick pass from Mbeumo, was the first to try and find an equaliser, but his low drive didn’t unsettle Kelleher.

Our captain became the first player to enter referee Craig Pawson’s book for a high challenge after catching Dango Ouattara, but the yellow didn’t disrupt United’s flow.

Mbeumo’s deep cross nearly found Dorgu at the back post, before the captain’s low cross had the Bees in a panic, but Brentford always looked capable of adding a third.

Sepp van den Berg couldn’t quite connect from five yards, and Ouattara couldn’t profit after being left all alone, with Bayindir saving low and keeping his team in with a shout.

Amorim made his move after 65 minutes, as Kobbie Mainoo came on for Manuel Ugarte and Leny Yoro replaced Harry Maguire.

Within five minutes the visitors had the spark they craved. Mbeumo was tugged back in the box by Nathan Collins. Mr Pawson pointed to the spot but kept his red card in his pocket, although the VAR did review the incident.

The four-minute delay only helped the home team as Fernandes waited to take his penalty. Irishman Kelleher guessed right, and after his spot of bother five miles down the road at Fulham last month, it was agony again for the skipper.

But that wasn't the end of the pain. Joshua Zirkzee - introduced late on - headed over, while Matthijs de Ligt hooked wide.

With our players surging forward in search of a stoppage-time leveller, Brentford substitute Jensen thrashed his shot into the net to seal our third defeat of the Premier League season.

MATCH DETAILS

United: Bayindir; De Ligt, Maguire (Yoro 66), Shaw (Mount 80); Dalot, Ugarte (Mainoo 66), Fernandes(c), Dorgu (Zirkzee 84); Mbeumo, Cunha; Sesko.

Subs not used: Heaton, Lammens, Fredricson, Heaven, Leon.

Goal: Sesko 26

Booked: Fernandes, Dorgu.

Brentford: Kelleher; Kayode, van den Berg, Collins (c), Hickey (Henry 75); Yarmoliuk, Henderson (Janelt 81); Ouattara (Lewis-Potter 75), Damsgaard (Onyeka 81), Schade; Igor Thiago (Jensen 90).

Subs not used: Valdimarsson, Ajer, Pinnock, Milambo.

Goals: Igor Thiago 8, 20, Jensen 90+5.

Booked: Collins.