Manchester United beat Brentford to move closer to Champions League return

LONDON: Manchester United edged nearer to a return to the Champions League after a 2-1 victory over Brentford at Old Trafford on Monday, with goals from Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko strengthening their hold on third place in the Premier League.

United took control early in the match as Casemiro opened the scoring before Sesko added a second before the break. Brentford pulled one back late through Mathias Jensen, but the home side held on to secure all three points.

The result left United 11 points ahead of sixth-placed Brighton, with the top five in the league guaranteed qualification for next season’s Champions League. Michael Carrick’s team now require only two points from their remaining four matches to confirm their place back in Europe’s top club competition for the first time since 2023-24.

United will next host Liverpool on Sunday in a meeting between the rivals that could have a major bearing on the race for third place. Liverpool are fourth, three points behind United.

Carrick, who took charge on an interim basis after Ruben Amorim was dismissed in January, is still awaiting a decision on whether he will be appointed permanently. The former United midfielder has improved the team’s position after a difficult spell under Amorim, and guiding the club into the Champions League would further strengthen his case as co-owner Jim Ratcliffe weighs his options.

United came into the match after a 1-0 win at Chelsea, a result that revived their push for a top-five finish following a home loss to Leeds and a draw at Bournemouth.

Brentford, whose last win at Old Trafford came in 1937, were immediately under pressure. In the second minute, Kobbie Mainoo surged through the defence, but Amad Diallo’s close-range effort was cleared off the line by Sepp van den Berg.

Harry Maguire, back from suspension, nearly marked his return with a goal when his header was kept out by Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher.

Casemiro and Sesko put United in command

United’s early pressure paid off in the 11th minute from a corner routine. Bruno Fernandes delivered the set-piece to Maguire, whose looping header reached Casemiro at the far post, and the Brazilian headed in from a tight angle.

It was Casemiro’s fourth goal in his last six matches under Carrick. The midfielder, whose contract is due to expire at the end of the season, celebrated by kissing the badge on his shirt as United supporters chanted “one more year”.

Brentford threatened in response, with Michael Kayode forcing a full-stretch save from United goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Igor Thiago also caused problems, but he failed to convert two opportunities, first miscuing under pressure from Diogo Dalot and then seeing a close-range attempt saved by Kelleher.

Ayden Heaven’s effort to stop Thiago almost resulted in an own goal, but Lammens prevented further trouble with another save.

United doubled their lead in the 43rd minute after Diallo won a tackle deep in his own half to begin the move. Fernandes carried the ball forward and slipped a pass to Sesko, who finished from 10 yards.

Fernandes now has 19 assists this season and is closing in on the Premier League single-season record of 20, jointly held by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

Late Brentford goal sets up tense finish

United were less convincing after the interval, and Brentford reduced the deficit in the 87th minute when Jensen curled a shot past Lammens from 20 yards.

The closing moments were uneasy for the home side, but they survived as Lammens gathered Mikkel Damsgaard’s header in stoppage time to preserve the win.

The victory kept United firmly on course for a Champions League return, while Brentford’s long wait for another win at Old Trafford continued.