Ruben Amorim's wait for successive Premier League wins as Manchester United boss was extended on Saturday after the Red Devils fell to a 3-1 defeat at Brentford
Ruben Amorim manager of Manchester United looks dejected
Manchester United have "contacted" a potential Ruben Amorim replacement, it's claimed
View 4 Images
Pressure continues to build on Ruben Amorim after Manchester United's crushing 3-1 loss to Brentford on Saturday.
One week prior, the Red Devils had lifted spirits with a morale-boosting victory over Chelsea, but that momentum evaporated in a bruising match at the Gtech Community Stadium. A small silver lining was Benjamin Sesko finally netting his debut goal for United. But that breakthrough was overshadowed by another collective collapse and underwhelming display.
United were chasing the game from the get-go, conceding twice in the opening 20 minutes. Sesko reduced the deficit midway through the first half, but hopes of a turnaround were snuffed out deep into stoppage time when Brentford grabbed a third.
The defeat was not without controversy. Bruno Fernandes squandered the chance to equalise from the penalty spot, shortly after fans were left furious that Nathan Collins was only shown a yellow card for hauling down Bryan Mbeumo in what many felt was a blatant last-man foul.
The result leaves Amorim's side once again teetering just above the relegation zone. With rumours swirling that the club's hierarchy are eyeing up replacements, the Portuguese manager has little margin for error. As another damaging setback sinks in, here's the latest developments from Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe 'in contact with Southgate'
Southgate
Gareth Southgate has reportedly been contacted by Sir Jim Ratcliffe
View 4 Images
Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly reached out to Gareth Southgate amidst growing uncertainty over Amorim's future. The former England manager is believed to be on a shortlist of three potential successors.
According to talkSPORT, Crystal Palace's Oliver Glasner and Bournemouth's Andoni Iraola are also on the list. However, Southgate might have an edge due to Ratcliffe's long-standing admiration for him and his current status as a free agent.
Southgate was first linked with the United job when Ratcliffe became co-owner in February 2024, and his name resurfaced following Erik ten Hag's dismissal later that year. The 55-year-old has been unemployed since stepping down as England manager after Euro 2024, but his chances at Old Trafford could depend on timing.
Reports suggest United are hesitant to part ways with Amorim before November 1, when the compensation owed to the Portuguese coach would be significantly reduced. And BBC Sport, meanwhile, have shut down suggestions of the existence of such a shortlist, with Amorim's future arguably being less clear than ever before.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Manchester United
Sir Jim Ratcliffe may have a decision to make soon
View 4 Images
Brentford red card verdict given
Plenty felt United were unlucky on Saturday after Brentford escaped a red card - including former Premier League referee Mark Halsey. Collins conceded a second-half penalty after fouling ex-Bees attacker Mbeumo in the area while appearing to be the last defender.
The defender was only cautioned, though some argued he should have seen red for denying a clear chance. VAR upheld Craig Pawson's on-field call after reviewing the incident.
The Premier League Match Centre later issued a clarification: "The referee's call of penalty was checked and confirmed by VAR - with Collins deemed to have pulled Mbeumo back. VAR also checked the referee's call of yellow card to Collins - and deemed that Mbeumo wasn’t in control of the ball."
Halsey, who officiated at the top level for over a decade, dismissed both the ruling and the explanation, insisting the decision was obvious.
Nathan Collins and Bryan Mbeumo clash during Manchester United's defeat to Brentford
Nathan Collins escaped a red card after bringing down Bryan Mbeumo in the box
View 4 Images
"The statement from the Match Centre said that Mbeumo did not have control of the ball," he told the Sun. "It doesn't say in law about having the ball under control. It's about the likelihood of keeping control of the ball.
"In my opinion, the Match Centre statement was absolute nonsense and it was a clear, clear denial of a goalscoring opportunity. Manchester United will be very disappointed with that decision. A red card should have been shown to the Brentford player."
Here at the Manchester Evening News, we’re dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.
And finally, if you’d rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.