Manchester United edged closer to securing a return to the UEFA Champions League with a 2-1 victory over Brentford at Old Trafford.
United are now 11 points clear of sixth-placed Brighton and Hove Albion with four Premier League games remaining, and their Champions League qualification could be rubber-stamped this coming weekend when they host fourth-placed Liverpool at Old Trafford. Brentford remain ninth, one point off the European places.
A frantic first half saw chances at both ends, with Michael Carrick’s side making the breakthrough through Casemiro’s 11th-minute header. Benjamin Sesko doubled the Red Devils’ lead in the 43rd minute, finishing clinically after being picked out by Bruno Fernandes, who registered his 19th Premier League assist of the season, according to Premier League reports.
After missing several glorious chances, Brentford pulled one back late on when Mathias Jensen lashed a brilliant strike in off the post, while Mikkel Damsgaard later saw a header saved by Senne Lammens.
Harry Maguire had earlier gone close from a Fernandes corner before the duo combined for United’s opener. Fernandes’ delivery was met by Maguire, who headed the ball to the back post, where Casemiro nodded in for his ninth Premier League goal of the season.
Brentford had opportunities to equalise, with top scorer Igor Thiago squandering three great chances, and the Bees were made to pay when Fernandes — now just one assist shy of matching the single-season Premier League record — picked out Sesko. The striker sent Nathan Collins the wrong way before rifling home to cap a brilliant counter-attack.
A tactical change from Carrick stalled Brentford after the break, though the visitors went close when Dango Ouattara headed against the woodwork from point-blank range.
Jensen, however, set up a nervy finish with a spectacular strike from 25 yards in the 87th minute, but United held on despite a late wave of Brentford pressure.
(IANS)
