Analysis: Mbeumo, Wissa and Schade among Europe’s most prolific frontlines | OneFootball

Brentford's prolific trio of Bryan Mbeumo, Yoane Wissa and Kevin Schade inspired the Bees to a 4-3 win over Manchester United at Gtech Community Stadium on Sunday.

The west Londoners had slipped to narrow defeats in their past three trips to Old Trafford, despite taking the lead in two of them, and head coach Thomas Frank almost "lost faith in the football Gods" during a one-sided 1-1 draw with Erik ten Hag's United at the Gtech in March 2024.

However, this seven-goal thriller against Ruben Amorim's Class of 25 will now join a 4-0 success over the same opposition back in 2022 in Brentford's scrapbook of memorable Premier League moments.

Brentford have now amassed 17 points from losing positions in the top flight this term and the resilience they showed to bounce back after Mason Mount's 14th-minute opener for the visitors will no doubt have delighted Frank and his backroom team.

Luke Shaw's own goal, a headed brace from Schade and a predatory finish from Wissa earned the Bees victory even though the Red Devils clawed back two late goals through Alejandro Garnacho and Amad Diallo.

Brentford's attacking trident of Mbeumo, Wissa and Schade was again electric, and the trio have now bagged a combined total of 46 top-flight goals this term, which accounts for almost 75 per cent of what is now the club's highest-ever Premier League tally of 62 goals.

A potent blend of pace, power and poise, Mbeumo, Wissa and Schade are an absolute handful on current form and the latter’s two fantastic goals on Sunday highlighted how big a threat he, in particular, offers in the air.

Schade could have had a first-half hat-trick on another day, as he tormented United from the off, and his first goal of the afternoon showcased his enviable hang time - the Germany international climbing highest to plant a textbook header into the corner of the net from Christian Nørgaard's clipped cross.

The 23-year-old then repeated the trick after the break to claim his 10th Premier League strike of the season from Mbeumo's inviting centre.

Brentford have now scored 13 league goals from headers in 2024/25, more than any other team, and the London club also top the charts for overall aerial duels won (592).

In this context, it is worth noting how big a weapon loanee full-back Michael Kayode's long throw looks to be.

The source of the own goal that drew Brentford level, the Italy Under-21 international can seriously hurl them in and the home side were perhaps unlucky not to net from another early in the second half when Sepp van den Berg glanced a Kayode projectile across the six-yard box.

To return to the subject of Brentford's on-fire frontline, the Bees are the only team in the Premier League with three players on 10+ goals this season, and it is remarkable how well Mbeumo, Wissa and Schade’s respective qualities complement one another - and just how clinical they have been.

The Bees have the highest goals-per-shot ratio (0.14), along with the best xG-per-shot (0.15), in the Premier League this season and their collective contribution is a huge reason why.

During the current campaign, Brentford (401) may well have taken 77 shots fewer than the United team (478) they vanquished on Sunday, but they have still outscored the Red Devils by a whopping 20 goals.

This very much speaks to the quality of the chances Brentford create… and the calibre of the players finishing them.