Former Chelsea midfielder, Joe Cole, has suggested that Manchester United part ways with manager Ruben Amorim following their 3-1 defeat to Brentford in the Premier League.

Amorim’s side endured another frustrating evening at the GTech Community Stadium, where Keith Andrews’ Brentford ran riot.

Igor Thiago struck twice in the first half, exposing United’s defensive frailties, before Benjamin Sesko briefly lifted the visitors with his first goal in the English topflight.

United’s chance to draw level slipped away when captain Bruno Fernandes failed to convert a second-half penalty.

Brentford later wrapped up the points in stoppage time through Mathias Jensen.

The result leaves Amorim with just 34 points from 33 league matches in charge, with the Portuguese coach still unable to record consecutive wins in the competition.

Cole admitted he has lost faith in Amorim’s ability to turn things around at Old Trafford, hinting that a managerial change may be the best solution for both parties.

He even floated the idea of Gareth Southgate stepping in as a potential replacement.

Asked on TNT Sports (via Metro) if he believed Amorim could revive United, Cole replied, “No, I don’t think so. He’s had a long enough time to implement what he wants.

“It’s not just a Ruben Amorim problem, there’s huge issues around the club. But he looks anxious on the bench, he looks worried, and I think that will filter through to the players.

“The fact he hasn’t won back-to-back league games is a huge concern. They need a different direction in my opinion.”

When pressed to clarify, Cole admitted he meant a new manager, “You know I don’t like saying that but for him [Ruben Amorim] as well, he was the bright spark, people were talking about him like the messiah.

“I thought Gareth Southgate was the perfect man for the job in terms of building a culture and understanding the players. They went with Amorim and it doesn’t look like it’s working.”