By Bonface Mulyungi
Manchester United edged closer to sealing Champions League qualification by beating misfiring Brentford 2-1. Goals from Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko gave Michael Carrick his ninth win as United’s interim manager, a position he’s increasingly likely to remain in next season.
But Keith Andrews will be ruing his team’s poor finishing which let a rudderless home defence off the hook. Thiago missed a slew of chances in what proved to be emblematic of the Bees’ problems before an long-range strike from Mathias Jensen made it a nervy finish.
Brentford came into this game six unbeaten while United had returned to winning ways at Chelsea nine days ago. Carrick notably had Harry Maguire back from suspension, easing the Red Devils’ injury crisis.
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.
