Man Utd beat Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford to move to within one win of a return to the Champions League next season.
21:53, 27 Apr 2026Updated 22:26, 27 Apr 2026
United players celebrate their opening goal
Manchester United made it back-to-back victories for the first time since March 1 as they closed in on a return to the Champions League with a victory against Brentford.
United took an early lead when Casemiro headed in from close range after Harry Maguire had won the first header from a Bruno Fernandes corner. That didn’t go down as a Fernandes assist, but the second did.
He took his time to find a pass, but Benjamin Sesko delivered the finish to move his captain to within one of equaling the Premier League’s assist record. Mathias Jensen struck late on to give the visitors hope but United held on for the win.
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Here are how the United players rated:
Senne Lammens: Made some outstanding first-half saves, two of them from Ayden Heaven, to keep United ahead, and delivered another commanding performance. Nothing he could do about the goal. 8
Diogo Dalot: Had a tough time of things in the first half, with Brentford posing a real threat down his side and exploiting space between Dalot and Maguire. Improved when Mazraoui came on. 6
Harry Maguire: Back from a two-game ban but was actually playing his first game in more than five weeks. A real threat in the opposition penalty area but took time to settle before improving defensively. 7
Ayden Heaven: Had a much tougher night than at Chelsea. Twice needed Lammens to stop him from scoring an own goal and Thiago made life tough for him. Couple of shaky passes as well. 6
Luke Shaw: Booked early on as he looked to make amends for giving the ball away and not at his best. Went off before the end through injury or illness. 6
Casemiro: Showed good strength to score from close range. Had to work hard in the first half as Brentford looked to play in the inside-right channel but defended well. 8
Kobbie Mainoo: Another superb performance. His early dribble should have been finished by Amad and his defensive work was excellent again, including winning a tackle that started the move for the second goal. 9
Bryan Mbeumo: Heavy touch denied him a one-on-one in the second half. Worked hard and had his moments, particularly in that rapid start. 7
Bruno Fernandes: Looked like he wanted the assist more than the goal just before half-time and who can blame him, with that record now very much in sight. 8
Amad: Started on the left with Cunha absent but made little impact. Twice offside for good chances, one of which he scored, missed a sitter and skied another effort. Hooked at half-time. 5
Benjamin Sesko: Hadn’t had a sniff of goal until Fernandes played him in, but he showed his composure to sit down Collins and make the finish easier. 7
Substitutes
Noussair Mazraoui: Came on in a back three and helped to shore things up defensively, with United pulled out of position in the first half. 7
Leny Yoro: Back in action as a right-sided centre-back in a back three. 6
Mason Mount: Showed some nice touches in a late cameo. 7
Joshua Zirkzee: Late arrival. 6
Subs not used: Bayindir, Malacia, Ugarte, Lacey, Dorgu