Benjamin Sesko celebrating scoring Manchester United’s second against Brentford. (Image: Getty)
Manchester United all but secured Champions League football for next season following a stunning 2-1 win over European-chasing Brentford. Michael Carrick’s side now sit 11 points clear of sixth-placed Brentford, with only four games remaining in the Premier League season.
United opened the scoring in the 11th minute following a fast-paced start. Casemiro nodded home at the back post after early chances for Amad and Harry Maguire. Benjamin Sesko doubled their lead after Bruno Fernandes broke through the midfield and teed up his striker to finish well. Mathias Jensen set up a nervy finish with a ferocious strike from outside the box, but United kept their resolve to hold onto three points.
Here, Express Sport rates the United team…
Man Utd player ratings vs Brentford (4-2-3-1)
Made a huge save to deny Michael Kayode in the first half to preserve United’s 1-0 lead at the time, but perhaps could have done slightly better and moved his feet a bit quicker to deny Jensen’s effort from range.
Troubled by Keane Lewis-Potter, who had a lot of joy down his flank, and was given some support when Noussair Mazraoui was introduced at half-time.
Made a very clever header to tee up Casemiro at the back post to score, rather than attempting to shoot himself. Strong at the back, and his presence was a welcome return.
Kept in the starting lineup following his superb maiden start under Michael Carrick against Chelsea and performed well, but perhaps a bit fortunate to avoid giving a penalty away when his arm blocked a cross heading towards Igor Thiago. Saved his centre-back partner when Maguire was robbed of the ball inside his own penalty area, but Ayden Heaven blocked well.
Had more joy as a wing-back in the second half, rather than in a back four. A largely quiet evening but did his job and kept Brentford from threatening down his wing. Suffered an injury in the second half and had to be replaced by Leny Yoro.
His incredible goalscoring season continued, and United may regret letting him go, having leapt the highest at the back post to break the deadlock. No player has scored more Premier League goals for United this season than the Brazilian and he appears to still be getting better every week. He dominated a feisty midfield and did his part to see out the win with some vital late interventions.
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Casemiro rose highest to open the scoring. (Image: Getty)
Caught the eye immediately with a mazy run and set Amad up with a chance that should have been buried. Some very smart touches throughout and is thriving alongside Casemiro and Fernandes.
His excellence was on show inside the opening few minutes with a stunning long through ball, to set Bryan Mbeumo away, before an inch-perfect corner almost led to an opening goal.
But it was another assist for Fernandes, his 19th of the league campaign, to set up Sesko. That single-season record is well within his sights now.
A tamer performance as his former side made the trip to Old Trafford, but did little wrong.
Held his run superbly and showed real striker’s instincts to find the space and bag United’s second. Sesko is growing in confidence in a United shirt
A very lively cameo on the left flank, stepping in for the injured Matheus Cunha, and should have had a couple of goals but for some wayward finishing and the offside flag. Taken off at half-time for Noussair Mazraoui.
Noussair Mazraoui (45′) – 6
Brought on as Carrick switched to a five-at-the-back shape, with Lewis Keane-Potter giving Diogo Dalot some trouble on that right flank, and then the versatile defender moved to the left when Luke Shaw was forced off. Competed well in both roles.
Consolidated the three points but will be disappointed he didn’t help to see out the clean sheet.
A few clever touches as he works his way back to full fitness.
Joshua Zirkzee (88′) – N/A
Booked for kicking the ball away in stoppage time as he sought to delay proceedings.
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