Analysis: Thiago at the top of his game as Brentford beat Manchester United | OneFootball

Brentford striker Igor Thiago was "feeling the love" from Bees fans after his double against Manchester United on Saturday - and it's no wonder given his all-round contribution and ruthless finishing.

The imposing Brazilian bagged two early goals as Keith Andrews' side raced into the lead against the Red Devils at Gtech Community Stadium. Benjamin Šeško cut the deficit for the visitors before the interval, but - after Caoimhín Kelleher's penalty save from Bruno Fernandes - Brentford sub Mathias Jensen completed a 3-1 win with a swerving shot.

Opposing manager Ruben Amorim afterwards stated that his side had "played the game of Brentford" and it was impossible to argue with him, as the Bees ruined United's bid to record back-to-back league wins for the first time under their Portuguese coach.

Brentford head coach Andrews praised his side's "excellent" attitude post-match and perhaps the biggest plus - on an afternoon packed with positives - was the way Thiago spearheaded the hosts' attack.

Thiago's injury-plagued first season is firmly behind him after five goals in seven games in all competitions this term, and he tormented the visitors' central defensive trio of Matthijs De Ligt, Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw all afternoon.

There were shades of Dango Ouattara's matchwinner against Aston Villa, in August, about Thiago's opener on eight minutes.

No team has scored more goals on the counter than Brentford (3) this term, and England international Jordan Henderson recorded his second assist of the campaign with a fantastic ping forward, which Thiago dispatched into the top corner.

The quality of Thiago's finish left United defender Maguire rueing his decision to step up, and the Brazilian's deft headed touch and explosive strike exemplified a forward at the top of his game.

All four of Thiago's shots on target this season have now nestled in the back of the net and, collectively, Brentford have a 45 per cent shot-on-target percentage in the Premier League - the best in the division.

Playmaker highlighted the potential importance of quality long balls ahead of the encounter and Brentford again executed fantastically well in the build-up to their second goal.

Yehor Yarmoliuk pinged a searching ball into the inside-left channel for Thiago, who nodded it down for Schade. The German’s cross was palmed out by Altay Bayındır, but Thiago continued his run and reacted quickest to poke home the rebound.

No forward has won more Premier League aerials than Thiago (21) this season, and his strengths as a target man complement the pace of Ouattara and Schade either side of him.

Thiago was, in many ways, Brentford's matchwinner, but Kelleher's penalty stop on 76 minutes helped the home side navigate what their manager described as "tricky waters".

The Irish keeper has a reputation as a penalty specialist and he got a great read on Fernandes' spot-kick to become only the third keeper (after Sunderland's Robin Roefs and Everton's Jordan Pickford) to pull off a penalty save in the top flight in 2025/26.

A couple of honourable mentions to finish. Aaron Hickey was outstanding in his match-up against his former team-mate Bryan Mbeumo, who did not manage a single successful dribble all afternoon, while Ukrainian dynamo Yarmoliuk (48) played more accurate passes than any other Bees player and recorded his first goal involvement in Brentford colours in the build-up to Jensen's third goal.

Only Liverpool (9) have picked up more Premier League points at home this season than Brentford (7), and the Bees will hope to add to that tally - and claim another scalp - when they entertain Manchester City at the Gtech next Sunday.