Analysis: Goalscorer Jensen impresses in United loss

Teed up by substitute Reiss Nelson, Jensen’s curling 87th-minute goal ultimately proved too little, too late - but it underscored his outstanding technical ability and marked only the second long-range strike Brentford have scored this season.

The west Londoners have long favoured higher-quality chances over efforts from distance, but they may need to make an exception for Jensen. He thumped home a swerving strike from range in the reverse fixture - when the Bees defeated United 3-1 at Gtech Community Stadium in September - and looks a clear and present danger when given time on the edge of the box.

Brentford’s top scorer Igor Thiago could have finished with a hat-trick, as Jensen and Yarmoliuk laid the platform for the Brazilian, Kevin Schade, Damsgaard and Dango Ouattara to cause problems in attack - the latter striking the woodwork on 71 minutes.

Brentford fired in a dozen shots - one more than their hosts - and generated more expected goals (1.36 xG to United’s 1.22 xG). Fernandes was largely kept under control, but still played a decisive role in both of his side’s goals, his perfectly-timed pass for Šeško bringing up a 19th assist of the season, just one shy of the Premier League’s all-time record.

“The feeling after the game is that we were the better side,” Jensen noted ruefully - and Brentford now turn their attention to the visit of West Ham United to TW8 on Saturday afternoon in what is their penultimate home match of the campaign.