Having made their worst-ever start to a Premier League campaign with just four points from the opening five rounds, Brentford knew a positive response was needed against the Red Devils.
Keith Andrews’ side came flying out the blocks, and their early intent was rewarded inside eight minutes, as Jordan Henderson’s raking long ball released Thiago, who timed his run to perfection to finish emphatically beyond Altay Bayındır.
Buoyed by the breakthrough, the Bees went in pursuit of a quickfire second, but Bayındır stood firm in the visitors’ goal, thwarting close-range headers from Sepp van den Berg and Nathan Collins in quick succession.
Not to be denied, Brentford deservedly doubled their lead in the 20th minute, with Thiago finding himself in the right place at the right time to convert from six yards after Bayındır could only parry Kevin Schade’s initial effort.
Having won just three of their last 24 PL away games against London sides (D6, L15), United looked to regain some semblance of composure as the first half progressed. Ruben Amorim’s men pulled a goal back soon after, as Benjamin Šeško fired beyond Caoimhín Kelleher from close range at the third time of asking to open his account for the Red Devils.
Undeterred by United’s response, Brentford dominated the early stages of the second period, with Dango Ouattara seeing a sharp low strike smartly saved by Bayındır.
That proved to be crucial, as with time ticking into the final 20 minutes, the visitors were awarded a penalty when former Bees hero Bryan Mbeumo was pulled back by Collins with the goal at his mercy. Bruno Fernandes assumed the responsibility from the spot, but Kelleher guessed correctly to thwart the United captain, who missed his second PL penalty of the season.
Amorim’s side continued to chase an equaliser in the closing stages, with Joshua Zirkzee and Mason Mount being called upon from the bench. However, it was the hosts who added gloss to the scoreline deep into stoppage time, as Mathias Jensen swept a sublime strike beyond the reach of Bayındır, extending the Bees’ impressive league form on home soil to just one defeat in seven matches (W4, D2).
Flashscore Man of the Match: Igor Thiago (Brentford)