Man UTD 2-1 Brentford: Michael Carrick’s side had to overcome a late scare but goals from Casemiro and Benjamin Sesco secured back-to-back wins.
Benjamin Sesko is back on the scoresheet (Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
Manchester United moved closer to qualifying for the Champions League after defeating underachievers Brentford 2-1. Goals from Casemiro and Benjamin Sesco gave Michael Carrick his ninth win as United’s caretaker manager, raising the possibility that he will remain in the role next season.
But Keith Andrews will be left to rue his side’s poor finish, which let down a rudderless home defence. Thiago missed a number of chances, emblematic of the Bees’ problems, before being nerfed by Matthias Jensen’s long-range attack.
Brentford come into this game unbeaten on six points, with United winning against Chelsea nine days ago. Carrick notably eased the Red Devils’ injury crisis by bringing Harry Maguire back from suspension.
Here are five stories from Old Trafford.
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1. Carrick dealt a double wounding blow.
Maguire was available, but Carrick was unable to use Matheus Cunha, who scored the winning goal against Chelsea. The forward was injured and Amad started in his place.
“I just felt a little bit of pain in my hip flexor after the Chelsea game,” Carrick told MUTV after the match. “The week looked promising, but I didn’t recover as quickly as I had hoped. It’s not too serious, but unfortunately I’ll be out tonight.”
And in the second half we had to pull Luke Shaw down. The England international has started every Premier League game this season but is now at risk of missing Sunday’s game against Liverpool, which could qualify for the Champions League.
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Michael Carrick was without a match-winner last weekend (Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
2. Does Casemiro have one more year left?
With his ninth goal of the season, Casemiro temporarily became United’s top scorer. Who would have imagined that when the Red Devils signed three forwards last summer?
The 34-year-old popped out again to score from a set-piece, giving Carrick’s side an early lead just after Amad headed wide. Casemiro may be in decline physically, but United will certainly not achieve their goals next season – unless he and Sir Jim Ratcliffe listen to the fans.
Casemiro scored again at the end of a set-piece (Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
3. A story of two strikers
As the first half drew to a close, United were dealt a powerful Slovenian punch to Brentford. Sesco overtook Casemiro to take his place at the top of United’s scoring list, with a merciless finish from Bruno Fernandes to take his tally to his 10th Premier League goal this season.
If only Thiago had the same composure. Brentford’s talisman had three great chances to score in the first half but couldn’t even get a shot on target as United’s defense was always wide open.
Be it a slippery surface, a mistimed run, Aiden Haven’s arm that was ruled out as a penalty by VAR, or a save from Senne Lamence, Thiago was somehow unable to add to his 21 points. The failure in front of goal felt especially costly after Sesco covered and scored the first shot of the night.
Thiago did not bring his shooting boots to Old Trafford (Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)
4. Carrick takes a leaf from Amorim’s book.
Wing-backs seemed to be a thing of the past at Old Trafford following the sacking of manager Ruben Amorim, but Carrick paid tribute to his predecessor by being substituted at half-time. Amad was sent off and Nousser Mazraoui came on, leaving United with a back five.
Before the break, Amado appeared to be moving freely. However, most of Brentford’s threat came from the Bees’ right flank, so it was probably a tactical decision on Carrick’s part to tighten up in the second half.
5. Brentford’s European dreams take a hit
Brentford could have moved up to sixth with a win (Image: Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)
In the extremely close Premier League, the difference between 6th and 12th place is only 4 points, and the competition for Europe is widening as it enters the preparation stage. That’s why this result will be even more painful for the Bees, who missed out on a chance to take the lead in this race.
Jensen’s long-range goal was just what Brentford deserved, but it proved to be too little too late as they came close to a draw in the closing stages. If they want to regain momentum after losing for the first time in seven games, Saturday’s home game against West Ham is essential.
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