Arne Slot (Liverpool)
October 2025
Slot lamented basics, duels and second balls as Liverpool slipped to sixth after a fourth straight league defeat. He questioned two decisions: a denied Gakpo penalty and a VAR-awarded foul on Van Dijk for Brentford’s spot kick. Goals from Ouattara, Schade, Kerkez, Thiago and Salah framed a chaotic night that could leave Liverpool seven points behind leaders Arsenal.
Michail Antonio (former West Ham United)
October 2025
Antonio has resumed training with Brentford less than a year after a car crash shattered his femur in four places. The 35-year-old’s comeback follows months of recovery after emergency surgery and rehabilitation supported by West Ham.
Brentford opened their facilities for Antonio’s non-contract training while he rebuilds fitness. Though a new deal isn’t imminent, he’s aiming to return to professional play and represent Jamaica at the 2026 World Cup after proving his full recovery.
Jordan Henderson (Brentford)
October 2025
Ajax players are reportedly unhappy with sporting director Alex Kroes over Henderson’s free transfer exit, which they viewed as a cost-cutting move that weakened leadership. Henderson has since revived his career at Brentford, where his composure and experience have been crucial in midfield.
Henderson himself suggested he was pushed out at Ajax. His quick adaptation in England has silenced critics, while Ajax’s dressing room harmony has suffered. What looked like simple wage trimming now appears to have cost the Dutch club both stability and authority.
Ruben Amorim (Manchester United)
September 2025
Jamie Carragher slammed Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United stint as a “disaster” following a 3-1 defeat to Brentford. He claimed Amorim remains in charge only because the board fears admitting another mistake, warning his sacking is inevitable after United’s inconsistent start to the season. United have managed just two league wins this season, with defeats to Arsenal, City, and Brentford plus a Carabao Cup exit to Grimsby. Carragher argued any competent manager could improve results, calling for United to end Amorim’s tenure sooner rather than later.
Matthijs de Ligt (Manchester United)
September 2025
Matthijs de Ligt defended under-fire boss Ruben Amorim after United’s 3-1 loss to Brentford, insisting the players—not the system—must take responsibility. The Dutch defender stressed lapses in focus and poor decisions, not tactics, were to blame for costly goals conceded. De Ligt urged unity despite mounting frustration, admitting inconsistency has defined their season. He said United must analyse mistakes and stick together to recover momentum, warning the squad cannot hide behind tactical excuses while results continue to stall in the bottom half.
Ruben Amorim (Manchester United)
September 2025
Micah Richards tore into Ruben Amorim’s chaotic tactical decisions in United’s 3-1 loss to Brentford. He criticised the constant reshuffling, with players switching roles mid-game, leaving some out of position and confused, undermining the Red Devils’ chances of a comeback. Richards blamed Amorim’s rigidity in sticking to his 3-4-2-1 system despite mounting failures. Bryan Mbeumo, shoehorned as wing-back late on, was caught out for Brentford’s decisive goal. United remain unable to win consecutive league matches, fuelling growing calls for Amorim’s replacement.
Usain Bolt
September 2025
Olympic legend Usain Bolt blasted Manchester United’s 3-1 defeat at Brentford, describing their display as a “joke.” The lifelong Red Devils fan vented online, struggling to identify “one good thing” as Amorim’s side slipped to yet another damaging Premier League loss. United fell 2-0 down early to Igor Thiago’s brace, briefly rallied through Benjamin Sesko’s first club goal, but Mathias Jensen’s late strike sealed their misery. Bolt’s anger reflected fan discontent at United’s inconsistency and ongoing struggles under Amorim’s stubborn 3-4-3 system.
Mark Halsey
September 2025
Former referee Mark Halsey branded “absolute nonsense” the decision not to send off Brentford’s Nathan Collins for hauling down Bryan Mbeumo in the box. VAR backed Craig Pawson’s yellow card call, ruling Mbeumo lacked control, before Bruno Fernandes missed the penalty. Halsey argued the laws require assessing the likelihood of maintaining control, not existing control, insisting it was a clear denial of a goalscoring chance. He said Manchester United were rightly furious and claimed a red card “should absolutely have been shown.”
Ruben Amorim (Manchester United)
September 2025
Manchester United’s misery deepened with a 3-1 defeat at Brentford, leaving Amorim with just nine wins in 33 league games. Igor Thiago struck twice early, Benjamin Sesko grabbed his first United goal, but Bruno Fernandes missed a penalty before Mathias Jensen sealed it. Amorim insisted he feels no pressure despite fan frustration at his rigid 3-4-3 system and ongoing inconsistency. He admitted United must “play better” and urged his side to build momentum, though defensive lapses and poor finishing again cost them crucial points.