Manchester United vs Brentford LIVE
Manchester United dispatched Brentford thanks to goals from Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko to take one step closer to qualifying for the Champions League. The Red Devils went in at half-time two goals clear after a frenetic first-half, and produced a professional display in the second to get the result over the line, despite a stunning Mathias Jensen strike halving the deficit late in the match to set up a nervous finish.
Bruno Fernandes set up Sesko’s strike to move within one assist of the record set by Thierry Henry and matched by Kevin de Bruyne, and now has four matches remaining to either level or better their feat. But this match was more a landmark for team than player, as United all but confirmed their place in Europe next season.
It was not a perfect night for the Red Devils, though, as Luke Shaw was withdrawn early due to injury and Matheus Cunha missed out on the matchday squad altogether with a hip flexor issue. Catch up with the action as it happened below with Standard Sport’s dedicated match blog, complete with expert insight and analysis.
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FULL-TIME: Manchester United 2-1 Brentford
That does it! Huge three points for the hosts.
Manchester United 2-1 Brentford
Kayode lofts his ball in, but Collins is deemed overexuberant in creating space between himself and Casemiro. Contact is minimal but a foul is given.
Time for one last Kayode long throw...
Manchester United 2-1 Brentford
90+4mins: Into the final 60 seconds here...
Manchester United 2-1 Brentford
90+2mins: Zirkzee goes into the book for kicking the ball away. It has got to that stage - United are pulling out all the tricks to get these three points over the line.
Manchester United 2-1 Brentford
There will be FIVE added minutes here!
Manchester United 2-1 Brentford
90mins: Ouattara crosses for Damsgaard and his header is stopped routinely by Lammens. United will hope there isn’t too much time added on here...
Manchester United 2-1 Brentford
89nmins: Sesko was replaced by Zirkzee following the goal.
GOAL! Manchester United 2-1 Brentford | Jensen '86
Jensen pulls one back from nowhere! He fires home superbly from about 25 yards out to set up a nervy finish.
Manchester United 2-0 Brentford
80mins: United are on track for a huge win here. These three points will all but confirm their place in next season’s Champions League. Of course, they cannot count their chickens just yet, but they are in very, very good stead.