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