Brentford fans' reaction to added time shows Manchester United have something most teams lack

If Manchester United could have chosen which red-and-white shirted side to have lost to this week it would have been Brentford.

Confirmation of a first bottom-half finish and highest tally of league defeats in 35 years was never going to be greeted by a caustic reaction from the United fans at full-time. They were much more forgiving than the invective aimed at the spineless players after their last four-goal humbling at the same stadium two seasons ago.

United's followers sang about a second trip to Bilbao in May seconds after kick-off. They should be reassured that Ruben Amorim will judge this United squad on their preposterous Premier League campaign, rather than the possibility of a new attraction in the club museum.

The numbers are stark: 15th in the league, -9 goal difference, 16 defeats and ten wins from 35 matches. United have still not hit the 40-point mark. All after investing £200million in the squad in the summer under a manager they did not want to keep.

After Kevin Schade put Brentford 3-1 up, the away end broke into a chorus of "'Cause United are going to Bilbao". They did so again after the fourth, outsinging the Brentford denizens. United's players have earned a reprieve through their Europa League form.

United are just like watching Seville in that competition. Not in the Premier League. That has been a write off since the start of the calendar year and they have the good fortune to be surrounded by West Ham United and Tottenham, two teams still below them in a loveless marriage with their manager.

Even the worst domestic United team in 51 years has an aura. Brentford fans were audibly apprehensive when seven added minutes were announced with the scoreline 4-2. Amad's first goal on his Premier League