Manchester United edge closer to UEFA Champions League return with win over Brentford

Manchester: Manchester United edged closer to sealing a return to the UEFA Champions League after a 2-1 victory over Brentford at Old Trafford.

United are now 11 points clear of sixth-placed Brighton and Hove Albion with four Premier League games remaining, and their Champions League qualification could be rubber-stamped this coming weekend when they host fourth-placed Liverpool at Old Trafford.

Brentford remain ninth, one point off the European places.

A frantic first half saw plenty of chances at both ends, and Michael Carrick’s side found the breakthrough thanks to Casemiro’s 11th-minute header.

Benjamin Sesko doubled the Red Devils’ lead in the 43rd minute, finishing well after being picked out by Bruno Fernandes, who registered his 19th Premier League assist of the season, Premier League reports.

After spurning several glorious chances, Brentford got themselves on the scoresheet late on when Mathias Jensen lashed a wonderful strike in off the post, with Mikkel Damsgaard then seeing a header saved by Senne Lammens.

Harry Maguire then went close from Fernandes’ corner, but that duo soon combined for United’s opener.

Fernandes’ delivery was met by Maguire, who headed to the back post, where Casemiro nodded in for his ninth Premier League goal of the season.

Brentford had their chances to equalise, with top scorer Igor Thiago squandering three great chances, and the Bees were made to pay when Fernandes – who is now just one shy of matching the single-season record for Premier League assists – picked out Sesko. The striker sat down Nathan Collins before rifling home to cap a brilliant counter-attack.

A tactical change from Carrick stalled Brentford after the break, but the visitors went close when Dango Ouattara headed against the woodwork from point-blank range.

Jensen did, however, provide a nervy finish when he spectacularly finished from 25 yards out in the 87th minute, but United were able to see out the victory despite a late wave of Brentford pressure. Agencies

EPL Points Table (top 10)

Team                     Pl            W            D            L             GD         Pts

Arsenal                  34           22           7             5             +38         73

Man City               33           21           7             5             +37         70

Man U                   34           17           10           7             +14         61

Liverpool               34           17           7             10           +13         58

Aston Villa            34           17           7             10           +5           58

Brighton & Hove34             13           11           10           +9           50

Bournemouth        34           11           16           7             0             49

Chelsea                  34           13           9             12           +8           48

Brentford              34           13           9             12           +3           48

Fulham                  34           14           6             14           -2            48

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