Manchester United moved a step closer to a return to the Champions League with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Brentford at Old Trafford.
First-half goals from Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko proved decisive on the night, as Michael Carrick’s side continued their strong late-season push.
The result leaves United on the brink of securing a top-five finish, with just four games remaining.
Fast start sets the tone
Brentford, who arrived in good form, made things difficult, but were ultimately punished for their lack of cutting edge.
Mathias Jensen’s late strike set up a tense finish, though United held on to secure all three points.
Bruno Fernandes was again central to everything United did well going forward. His assist in the game took him to 19 for the Premier League season, leaving him just one short of the all-time record.
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Carrick praises spirit but demands more
Carrick was quick to praise his team but insisted that more could be done.
“It was quite an open game,” Michael Carrick said to Sky Sports. “I thought we started fantastically. We should’ve been at least another goal up, maybe more.
“Credit to them, they’re a good team and have a really good mix of threats.
“We tweaked things second half and for the most part had decent control. I thought the spirit and effort was fantastic. We could’ve scored more but at this time of the year, it’s a results business.”
The United boss has overseen a major turnaround since taking charge in January, lifting the club into the top three and restoring belief within the squad.
Performances like this, even if not always comfortable, continue to underline that progress.
Team news and final push
Brentford, meanwhile, were left to reflect on missed opportunities. Despite creating chances, they failed to capitalise when it mattered most, allowing United to take control early in the game.
There was also notable team news before kick-off, with Matheus Cunha absent from the squad.
Carrick explained the decision ahead of kick-off, saying to Sky Sports: “He just had a bit of a sore hip flexor after the Chelsea game. It looked promising in the week but he didn’t recover in time, as hoped.”
Ultimately, the win was another important step forward. United may not have been at their fluent best throughout, but they showed enough quality and resilience to get the job done.
With momentum building and Champions League football within touching distance, Carrick’s side are finishing the season strongly – and beginning to look like a team ready to compete at a higher level once again.
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SportJustSport writers 
Liberty Nicholson-Hulse