Man United defeats Brentford and moves closer to returning to the UCL

Manchester United moved closer to Champions League qualification as captain Bruno Fernandes closed in on the Premier League assist record in Monday’s 2-1 win against Brentford, RTE reports.

Michael Carrick’s Red Devils increased their hold on third place with a hard-fought win at Old Trafford against Keith Andrews’ Bees, giving them an 11-point lead over sixth-placed Brighton with just four games left.

Fernandes has been an integral part of United’s rise and prevented a return to Europe, with the captain scoring his 19th goal of the campaign when Benjamin Sesko scored after Casemiro continued his memorable farewell tour with a headed goal.

The Portuguese playmaker is now just one shy of the record of 20 assists in a single season shared by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.

Fernandes’ late contribution helped calm nerves after the unusually wasteful Igor Thiago threatened to equalize in an entertaining first half in which United were able to boast the clinical edge the visitors lacked.

Brentford pushed when Dango Ouattara hit a post before Mathias Jensen’s long-range shot sparked a nervy conclusion, but Carrick’s side held on to claim a victory to keep them on course for the Champions League.

United dug deep on a night that began with the kind of sharpness they lacked in the home defeat to Leeds a fortnight ago.

Kobbie Mainoo showed incredible balance, footwork and awareness in the opening minutes to break free and pass to Amad Diallo, whose shot Sepp van den Berg blocked on the line.

Brentford goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher deflected a Harry Maguire header from a Fernandes cross, and the United pair soon played a vital role in the opener.

The captain’s deep corner in the 11th minute was headed by defender Maguire to the far post, where Casemiro showed strength and no small amount of effort to head in.

The popular Brazil international leaves at the end of his contract this summer and kissed the team crest as fans implored him to stay for another year.

But the mood changed as Brentford upped the ante after falling behind for the first time since February, with Senne Lammens denying Michael Kayode with a strong hand before Thiago threatened.

The Brazilian striker failed on his lines as Lammens and Ayden Heaven came close to stopping a calamitous draw, before the latter excellently prevented him from shooting from distance.

Good reactions from Lammens soon prevented the United teenager from undoing that good work with an unfortunate own goal after hitting a cross with his arm.

But the Bees lacked a sting in the tail and the hosts took advantage of Amad’s goal, disallowed for offside before the 43rd minute became the second goal.

A powerful challenge from Amad started a counter-attack as Fernandes took the ball beyond the halfway line and beyond, keeping his cool before passing to Sesko to score after having shown similar composure.

Kelleher denied Maguire as the second half began as United attempted to stifle Brentford after moving to a back three at the break.

Ouattara looked the most likely to open up the hosts’ backline, including a corner kick with a header off the post before play was stopped for a high boot as he attempted an acrobatic follow-up.

Man of the match Casemiro fired a long-range low shot that went just wide before Brentford scored one of their own.

Chief Andrews punched the air as Jensen took advantage of the tired defense, cutting in and scoring a piledriver with three minutes remaining.

Mikkel Damsgaard headed a wonderful chance straight at Lammens as the clock ticked down to United’s victory.