Man Utd 2 – 1 Brentford

Manchester United are within touching distance of returning to the Champions League after beating Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford.

Michael Carrick benefitted from clinical finishing in the first half and wastefulness from the visitors to secure three points despite a nervy ending courtesy of a Mathias Jensen stunner.

The result means United are just two points away from guaranteeing their return to Europe’s elite competition next season as their interim boss nears his target when brought into the club in January.

A fast start to proceedings had United fans scratching their heads as to how they weren’t in front inside the opening two minutes. Kobbie Mainoo’s incredible solo run teed up Amad Diallo from close range, but the Ivorian’s effort was cleared off the line by Sepp van den Berg.

The hosts didn’t have to wait long to take the lead though. Some uncharacteristically poor set-piece defending from Brentford saw Casemiro head home yet again at the back post to continue his fairy tale ending at Old Trafford.

The Bees responded in positive fashion and could have easily scored a handful of goals if not for a combination of Ayden Heaven, Senne Lammens and Igor Thiago’s finishing costing them.

United reminded them how to be clinical in front of goal just before the break as Fernandes set up Benjamin Sesko to double the lead. It was Fernandes’ 19th Premier League assist of the campaign – one away from the record set by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

Carrick switched to a back three at the break to bring a stop to the end-to-end nature of the first half. While it gave United less of an attacking impetus, it stemmed the flow of Brentford’s threat for the most part.

The Bees should’ve found the net as Dango Ouattara somehow hit the post from a couple yards out with a weak header.

By the time they did breach the United defence, it was too little too late as Jensen smashed home a brilliant effort from distance in the 87th minute to restore some late hope for the visitors.

In the end, the Red Devils held on to move 11 points clear of sixth-placed Brighton to edge closer to a Champions League return. Brentford, meanwhile, remain in ninth, two points behind the Seagulls and a spot in next season’s Europa League.

Maguire: I thought I was good in the air until I met Casemiro

Man Utd defender Harry Maguire speaking to Sky Sports:

“I thought I was good at heading and attacking the box until I met Casemiro.

“His timing, his aggression, his leap – it’s the best I’ve seen and worked with. He’s so clinical. Without his goal we wouldn’t have been nowhere near where we are in the table.”

On turnaround under Michael Carrick:

“The results help. We had two tough fixtures when Carrick came in against Arsenal and Man City but we managed to get six points.

“From then everyone started to believe and we got confidence. We can get a lot better in this formation. We’ll get better the longer we work as a unit. The results speak for themselves since the manager has come in and the formation has changed.

“The games under Ruben Amorim which were 50-50, we’d always end up with a defeat. Now it’s the other way around. We’re a lot better in both boxes.”

Back three switch was planned, says Carrick

Man Utd boss Michael Carrick speaking to Sky Sports:

“It was quite an open game. I thought we started fantastically. We should’ve been at least another goal up, maybe more. Credit to them, they’re a good team and have a really good mix of threats.

“We tweaked things second half and for the most part had decent control. I thought the spirit and effort was fantastic. We could’ve scored more but at this time of the year, it’s a results business.”

On switching to a back three:

“We were going to make it anyway and then we scored the second goal. There were just certain spaces that we needed to cover better. It was purely a tactical decision. In the position we were in at half-time, we wanted to see the game through.

“The way the boys managed it – it’s a tough league to get results in. To get the amount of wins we have, we are delighted with that.”

Andrews: Brentford doing everything to get results

Brentford boss Keith Andrews to Sky Sports:

“Pleased with the performance. They started better than we did and we were on the back foot. But after that a top reaction. I thought we were outstanding for large parts of the game but we couldn’t take our opportunities.

“I enjoyed watching us play in every aspect after that first 10 minutes. The bravery and courage we showed, to come somewhere like this and play in that manner shows a good step in the right direction. The next step is being clinical and ruthless.

“Anyone that watches us will see we are a team with a lot of spirit. We have a nice click around the group. We fight hard but you have to earn results in this division. We have been on a really good journey this year that allows us to come to a ground like this and play in that manner.”

On the race for Europe and going six games without a win: “I saw a lot of confidence tonight. I saw personality, a team that is striving and doing everything it can to get results.”

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