Manchester United is set to play in the Champions League next season, thanks to Michael Carrick's guidance. Many believe he deserves a full-time managerial position following this success.
Key points
Manchester United qualifies for the Champions League next season
Michael Carrick's management is credited for the team's success
Calls for Carrick to be appointed as full-time manager
Job done. Pay no attention to the caution or the mantra about the focus being on Liverpool and nothing else: Manchester United will play in the Champions League next season.
This was a tough evening and it was also a reminder of how far this club must climb if they want to be competitive on the biggest stage, but this victory over Brentford was enormous and how you could tell with the roar at the final whistle. Were they fortunate? Yes. Did it matter? No.
What counts is what happens next and that centres on Michael Carrick, the man who has masterminded this fightback. His role remains âinterim managerâ, but with each day and each win, the argument strengthens that the first word of that title should now be removed.
Carrick never flinched when the game ended, simply turning to Keith Andrews to shake hands, and it would not be his style to get carried away. How bluntly he reminded everyone of that when asked about an almost guaranteed place in the top five.
Q&A
Why does Michael Carrick deserve a full-time job at Manchester United?
Michael Carrick deserves a full-time job at Manchester United due to his successful management that has led the team to the brink of the Champions League.
What impact did Michael Carrick have on Manchester United's Champions League qualification?
Michael Carrick's leadership has been pivotal in guiding Manchester United to secure their place in the Champions League for the upcoming season.
When will Manchester United play in the Champions League next season?
Manchester United will participate in the Champions League next season, although the specific match dates have yet to be announced.
What are the expectations for Manchester United in the Champions League?
Expectations for Manchester United in the Champions League include making a strong showing and potentially advancing to the later stages of the tournament.
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Carrick
Michael Carrick applauds the fans alongside goalkeeper Senne Lammens - Martin Ricketts/PA
âItâs not something we should be over celebrating,â he said.
True, but he is the reason the mission is going to be successful and, having done such a good job, does he not deserve the chance to carry it forward? He dealt with expectation all his life as a player, he handled the pressure for this club. What is to say he will not be able to do it again?
It felt like a big night, long before kick-off. For all that this stadiumâs infrastructure has suffered from a chronic lack of investment in recent years, when it is full, the lights are on and the locals are in full voice, you are reminded why this is one of footballâs greatest cathedrals.
Sat in his usual spot at the back of the directorsâ box, Sir Alex Ferguson would have been taken back to a time his teams, some including Carrick, swept all before them. It is never going to be the same again â how could it be? â but the mission of getting back on to the biggest stage will never change.
With all that said, it was no surprise the start was fast, red rockets whistling in all directions. There should have been a goal after 114 seconds, when Kobbie Mainoo waltzed through two tackles and teed up Amad Diallo but, somehow, Sepp van den Berg cleared off the line.
Diallo could not quite believe he had been thwarted and the same was true for Harry Maguire, whose thumping header from a Bruno Fernandes corner was pawed away by Caoimhim Kelleher, millimetres from it crossing the line. Could United score? They always score in this mood.
So it proved. In the 11th minute, Fernandes floated a corner to the back post, Maguire returned it to the near post with a header and arriving, right on cue, was Casemiro, towering over Dango Ouattara to head into the roof of the net. His was an outstanding individual display.
Yet, remarkably, the goal was the signal for Brentford to take hold of the game. It is no exaggeration to say they should have scored three times after going behind and Andrews, the impressive Brentford head coach, was crestfallen their endeavour was not rewarded.
A better connection from Igor Thiago at the back post, when Keane Lewis-Potter zipped a ball across the six-yard box, would have resulted in a Brentford equaliser in the 23rd minute and then, in the next attack, Michael Kayode was denied by Senne Lammensâs outstretched arm.
The worst was still to come. Thiago, one of the players of the season, found himself clean through on Lammens after a ball from Ouattara but, rather than shooting, he hesitated, took a touch then slipped over.
It prompted one of those growls to tumble out of the Stretford End, a wake-up call that ideas needed to be bucked up. When Ayden Heaven slid in to dispossess Thiago a couple of moments later, the decibels were cranked up further. This could not continue.
And it did not. Understandably pursuing their ambition, Brentford got their angles wrong just outside the United penalty area, Diogo Dalot thundered into Kevin Schade, the ball arrived at the feet of Fernandes and off he went, a matador actively pursuing his target.
Fernandes had options on both sides, but you knew he was going to pick the right one â a little nudge to his left invited Benjamin Sesko to run and the perfectly weighted pass arrived at his feet, the Slovenian even having time to hoodwink Van den Berg and clip his finish over Kelleher. It was the Portugueseâs 19th assist, one off record holders Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne for a single season.
Is he the Premier Leagueâs player of the season? âHe deserves it for the impact he has had,â Carrick said.
The noise was not so much celebration, more visceral relief. When 2026 started with draws at Elland Road and Turf Moor and Ruben Amorim was squawking about all manner of complaints, would you have seriously considered them to be within 12 points of Arsenal with four matches remaining?
To give context, Carrick walked into this role with United 17 adrift of the league leaders and back-to-back games against Manchester City and Arsenal that many would have anticipated ended with them being thumped.
What a crucial goal it turned out to be. Brentford refused to be subdued and Outtara hit a post as they poured forward before Mathias Jensen bent in a wonderful drive from 25 yards in the 88th minute. His compatriot Mikkel Damsgaard then caused palpitations in injury time with a header.
âItâs a measure of how far weâve come that weâre going home disappointed,â Andrews said. He is right. But it is also a measure of how far United have come, given they have effectively reached their target with four games to go. Beat Liverpool and the case to give Carrick the job will be even more compelling.
10:27pm
Post-match thoughts of Keith Andrews
âPleased with the performance. They started better than we did and we were on the back foot. But after that a top reaction. I thought we were outstanding for large parts of the game but we could not take our opportunities. I enjoyed watching us play in every aspect after that first 10 minutes. The bravery and courage we showed, to come somewhere like this and play in that manner shows a good step in the right direction. The next step is being clinical and ruthless.
âAnyone that watches us will see we are a team with a lot of spirit. We have a nice click around the group. We fight hard but you have to earn results in this division. We have been on a really good journey this year that allows us to come to a ground like this and play in that manner. I saw a lot of confidence tonight. I saw personality, a team that is doing everything it can to get results.â
Keith Andrews reacts after his side's loss at Manchester United
Brentford remain in ninth with four games left - Alex Livesey/Getty Images
10:25pm
Benjamin Sesko talking to Sky Sports
âIt feels amazing. It was tough because we knew we faced a difficult team but we managed to hold the score until the end and we deserved the victory. It is very important the way we start the game. It gives the crowd extra energy and we used it. We scored two goals.
âI am feeling better from game to game. I am connected more with the team. We have to push until the last minute. It is important to bring the energy we brought today and we believe we can manage it.â
Benjamin Sesko claps the Manchester United fans after their win over Brentford
Benjamin Sesko scored Manchester Unitedâs second goal tonight - Alex Livesey/Getty Images
10:22pm
Jamie Carragher on Harry Maguire
10:17pm
Post-match thoughts of Harry Maguire
10:13pm
Brentfordâs last four matches
May 2: Brentford vs West Ham May 9: Manchester City vs Brentford May 17: Brentford vs Crystal Palace May 24: Liverpool vs Brentford
10:10pm
Gary Neville on Sky Sports
âIt was pulsating in the first half but pragmatic in the second half. But Michael Carrickâs job is to get Manchester United in the Champions League, and I think he has just gone and done that tonight. It was a safe second half but Carrick did what he had to do. He will be delighted with the victory and they just deserved it in the end.â
Michael Carrick applauds the Manchester United fans after their win over Brentford
Manchester United are nearly assured of a place in next seasonâs Champions League - Alex Livesey/Getty Images
10:07pm
Manchester Unitedâs remaining four games
May 3: Manchester United vs Liverpool May 9:Sunderland vs Manchester United May 17: Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest May 24:Brighton vs Manchester United
10:03pm
How the top six stands
With this win tonight, Manchester United have nearly secured Champions League football for next season, 11 points clear of Brighton in sixth with just 12 points left available.
Possession: Manchester United 45%-55% Brentford Shots: 11-12 Shots on target: 6-4 Corners: 7-8 Touches in opposition box: 21-42
09:53pm
Full time
There is the final whistle and Manchester United hold on to win 2-1. They had looked comfortable at 2-0 with just a few minutes of normal time before Jensenâs late goal made it a tense ending for the hosts but Michael Carrickâs side take all three points. This win brings Manchester United very close to securing Champions League football for next season.
09:52pm
90+4 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 1
The game ticks into the final minute of added time and Manchester United look like they will hold on for an important three points.
09:49pm
90+2 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 1
It is all Brentford now as they seek an equaliser. Manchester United are very much holding on.
Zirkzee, only just on the pitch, is booked for kicking the ball away.
09:48pm
90 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 1
Ouattara clips the ball into the Manchester United box and Damsgaard, one of the smallest men on the pitch, wins the header but it is straight at Lammens. Plenty of nerves inside Old Trafford.
The question now is how much added time will there be. Probably no more than four or five minutes. And the answer is five.
09:46pm
88 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 1
Sesko is replaced by Zirzkee with Manchester United now holding on.
09:45pm Key moments ⢠Goals ⢠Video
GOAL! Jensen gets goal back for Brentford
This game is not quite done and dusted quite yet. He receives the ball in a central position around 25 yards out and cuts onto his right. His finish is clinical, going in off the inside of the far post. A fine goal to give Brentford hope.
09:43pm
86 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 0
Time is running out for Brentford to make this a nervy ending for Manchester United but a goal now would make it tense for the home fans inside Old Trafford.
09:37pm
80 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 0
Dalot brings down Damsgaard, giving Brentford the chance to swing a delivery into the Manchester United penalty area. Jensen clips it in and van den Berg is the first to get his head on it but nothing comes of it.
09:35pm
77 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 0
Casemiro drives a shot towards goal from range but it goes narrowly wide. Manchester United believe it should have been a corner but a goal kick is given. How Fernandes is not then booked for dissent is beyond me; he was shouting at the referee and then proceeded to push Thiago into the referee.
09:34pm
75 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 0
Thiago is into the book for the visitors for a foul on Heaven.
09:31pm
73 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 0
Brentford are making their first change of the night as Nelson replaces Schade.
Manchester United are going to make a double change as Yoro and Mount replace Shaw and Mbeumo. Shaw had gone done and that appears to be an injury-enforced switch. Mbeumo did appear to clap the travelling Brentford fans, who did in turn applaud their former player.
09:29pm Key moments
71 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 0
Brentford hit the post. Jensenâs corner from the left is flicked on by Casemiro and ends up with Ouattara at the back post. Ouattara should score but his header comes back off the post before being penalised for a high boot on Maguire, which results in a yellow card.
09:28pm Analysis
70 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 0
Brentfordâs fans havenât stopped singing and why should they? Their team is losing but there has been much to take from this performance, the latest indication of what a smart move it was to appoint Keith Andrews and what a fantastic job he has done to defy expectations. Many anticipated Brentford would experience a lull after Thomas Frank but the opposite has occurred. They will continue to be underestimated. You wouldnât wish to rule them out of the race for Europe on the back of this result.
09:27pm
69 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 0
Heaven bails out his centre-back teammate. Maguire should deal with a ball in behind inside his own box but Thiago dispossess him. Thiago then squares it for Ouattara, whose shot from 12 yards out is blocked by Heaven.
09:21pm
63 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 0
Lewis-Potter is played in on the left side of the Manchester United box but his cross is cut out by Lammens. Brentford did not make a single change during their last game against Fulham, in which they lined up with the same starting XI as they have done tonight, so will Keith Andrews make any alterations tonight?
09:18pm
60 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 0
That was a good chance for Brentford to get a goal back but the offside flag has gone up. Ouattara drags a shot wide from inside the Manchester United penalty area but Schade appeared to be offside in the build-up.
09:16pm
58 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 0
Brentford played pretty well in that first half and did not deserve to be 2-0 down but have not been as good since the break. Perhaps the change in shape from Manchester United has made it trickier for the visitors.
09:14pm
56 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 0
Jensen has far too much time on Brentfordâs right to clip the ball into the centre of the box. He picks out Thiago seven yards out the Brazilianâs header goes well wide. The offside flag goes up anyway as Thiago had strayed a way offside and he probably knew it.
09:10pm
52 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 0
Brentford have had a pretty decent record defending corners this season but tonight Manchester United have caused them all sorts of problems. The deliveries have been good and Maguire seems to be winning the first header often.
09:08pm
50 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 0
The first corner of this second half goes the way of the home side as van den Berg heads behind from Mbeumoâs cross. Mbeumo, against his former club, then delivers a cross to the back post, where Maguire wins the header and is denied for the second time in this match by a good save from Kelleher.
09:04pm
47 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 0
It appears that, with the introduction of Mazraoui, Manchester United have gone to a back five.
09:02pm
Second half
We are back under way at Old Trafford. Manchester United will nearly have Champions League guaranteed if they secure the three points tonight but will know the challenge Brentford pose; had the visitors been more clinical in the first half the scoreline would look quite a bit different.
There has been a change at the break from the home side as Mazraoui has replaced Amad.
08:58pm
As it stands
If Manchester United see out the job, they would go 11 points ahead of Brighton in sixth, which would mean they would almost be there in terms of Champions League qualification. Brentford could move sixth with a win tonight but that looks a long way away right now. They are set to remain in ninth but are still in the hunt for European football.
08:52pm
HT stats
Possession: Manchester United 46%-54% Brentford Shots: 8-5 Shots on target: 5-2 Corners: 5-5 Touches in opposition box: 15-19
Keith Andrews will be wondering how his side are two goals down at the break.
Keith Andrews walking back to the dressing room at half-time
Brentford have plenty of work to do in the second half to get anything from this game - Phil Noble/Reuters
08:47pm
Half-time
The first half is brought to an end and Manchester United lead 2-0 at the break courtesy of goals from Casemiro and Sesko. Brentford have played pretty well in that first half but have failed to take their chances whereas Manchester United have.
08:45pm
45 mins: Manchester United 2 Brentford 0
Jensenâs first-time effort from just outside the box goes just wide of Lammensâ right post.
There will be two added minutes at the conclusion of an end-to-end first half.
08:43pm Key moments ⢠Goals ⢠Video
GOAL! Sesko doubles Manchester Unitedâs advantage
Probably against the run of play, the home side go 2-0 up. Amad wins the ball back for Manchester United and the hosts then counter through Fernandes. The Manchester United captain has options both sides, with Mbeumo to his right and Sesko to the left. As he approaches the Brentford box, he plays it to his left to pick out Sesko, who cuts inside and then slots home past Kelleher. Fernandes is now up to 19 league assists, one off the record.
08:42pm
41 mins: Manchester United 1 Brentford 0
Amad has the ball in the Brentford net but he miles offside. He is played in by Fernandes into the Brentford box and drives his shot across goal. It comes off the inside of the far post and goes in but the replays show he was miles offside, and I mean miles!
08:41pm
40 mins: Manchester United 1 Brentford 0
Van den Berg is the first Brentford player into the book tonight after a tug at the shirt of Sesko.
08:39pm
39 mins: Manchester United 1 Brentford 0
Brentford will be wondering how on earth they are not level. Damsgaard delivers a wicked cross from the left, looking for Thiago, and the ball comes off Heavenâs arm, forcing Lammens into a good save. VAR does intervene to give a penalty After a nervy opening quarter of an hour, Keith Andrewsâ side have really grown into the game and are the team on top right now.
The change in this game is incredible. Manchester United looked like they would turn one goal into three or four but they essentially have stopped playing after Casemiroâs goal and allowed Brentford to dictate. Keith Andrews has his team playing as stylishly as his outfit and he will wonder how they are not only level but leading. Itâs been one way traffic for 20 minutes.
Thiago has wasted another great opportunity to score his 22nd league goal of the season. A lovely ball is played in behind the Manchester United defence and Thiago outmuscles Heaven. However, as he did moments ago, he takes too long on the ball to make a decision and his failure to shoot allows Heaven to get back. Heaven slides in and actually forces Lammens into a decent save to prevent an own goal.
Igor Thiago reacts after missing a chance for Brentford
Brentford could and perhaps should be on level terms - Alex Livesey/Getty Images
08:36pm
34 mins: Manchester United 1 Brentford 0
Thiago should have finished off what would have been a sublime team goal for Brentford. Ouattara does brilliantly to skip past a few Manchester United defenders down Brentfordâs right and then exchanges a lovely one-two with Damsgaard. Ouattara then plays a lovely pass forward into the path of Thiago, who probably should hit it first time but takes a touch. He then loses his footing, which allows Heaven to get back and Thiago is unable to put the finishing touches on that fine move.
08:31pm
31 mins: Manchester United 1 Brentford 0
Amad has already had one good chance in this first half and now he fails to take another. Fernandes clips in a lovely ball to the back post, where he picks out Amad, but his header is straight at Kelleher. The offside flag then goes up against Amad and the replays show he had strayed fractionally offside.
08:29pm
28 mins: Manchester United 1 Brentford 0
After good work by Lewis-Potter on the byline, Brentford win a corner out on the left. The corner ends up coming to Lewis-Potter beyond the far post but his effort is blocked inside the six-yard box.
08:25pm
25 mins: Manchester United 1 Brentford 0
There is plenty of space in the centre of the pitch for both sides, which is contributing to an open and end-to-end start to this match.
08:20pm
20 mins: Manchester United 1 Brentford 0
Lewis-Potter receives a pass from Jensen just inside the Manchester United penalty area and looks to pick out the far corner but it is a fairly routine save for Lammens. It is quite an open game, one which Brentford are growing into.
08:17pm
17 mins: Manchester United 1 Brentford 0
Brentford made a nervy start to this game but they have now had two big chances in quick succession. Damsgaard feeds a lovely reverse pass into the path of Kayode inside the Manchester United box but the latter is denied by a good save from Lammens.
Michael Kayode denied by Senne Lammens
Nearly an equaliser for Brentford - Martin Rickett/PA
08:17pm
15 mins: Manchester United 1 Brentford 0
Brentford are close to getting back on level terms. Lewis-Potterâs cross from the left side of the box looks destined to pick out Thiago at the back post for a tap-in but seemingly slightly overruns it. Shaw had slid in to try and hook it away but actually made no contact. Thiago, who has had a fine season in front of goal, will be disappointed he did not score.
08:11pm Key moments ⢠Goals ⢠Video
GOAL! Casemiro puts hosts in front
It has been all Manchester United in these early stages and their pressure on the Brentford goal pays off. Fernandesâ outswinging corner from the right goes beyond the back post, where Maguire heads it back across goal. Brentford should do a better job of dealing with it but the ball comes all the way through to Casemiro, who puts his header past Kelleher for his ninth league goal of the season.
08:09pm Analysis
9 mins: Manchester United 0 Brentford 0
Bright start from Manchester United and there is an air of expectation about this game. Champions League qualification shouldnât be something a club of this stature celebrates but you can sense how desperate they are for the big nights to return. Everything about this suggests they will effectively book their ticket into the competition that matters so much.
08:09pm Key moments
7 mins: Manchester United 0 Brentford 0
That is a fantastic save from Kelleher. Manchester United take a short corner out on the right before Fernandes whips in a cross to the back post. The cross picks out the head of Maguire, whose header looks destined for the net but Kelleher makes a fine stop right on his own line. Some of the ball had crossed the line but not all of it.
08:06pm
5 mins: Manchester United 0 Brentford 0
The first card of the game goes the way of the hosts. Schade breaks for Brentford and is cynically brought down by Shaw, who has no complaints as he is shown a yellow card.
08:03pm Key moments ⢠Video
2 mins: Manchester United 0 Brentford 0
How has Amad not scored? The shot comes at the end of a stunning mazy run from Mainoo, who holds off one Brentford defender before driving into the Brentford box. He then skips past a couple of defenders with great footwork before squaring it for Amad, who should score but his effort is blocked by van den Berg. Mainooâs mazy run should have been rewarded by Amad finishing off that opportunity. It is a great block by van den Berg but Amad should not have given him the chance to make the block.
08:00pm
Kick-off
We are under way at Old Trafford. Will Manchester United take another big step towards Champions League qualification or can Brentford strengthen their push for European football?
07:56pm
Nearly ready for action
Both sides emerge from the tunnel and we are just moments away from kick-off at Old Trafford. Here is a reminder of how the two sides line up this evening:
âBrentford have had an exceptional season. They have been the ones that have punched well above their weight. I think me and Carra [Jamie Carragher] might have said on the first Monday Night Football of the season that they could be fighting relegation. They have done absolutely incredibly. The job Matthew Benham has done as an owner has defied logic. In a world of hundreds of millions, he has spent millions. He is outperforming everybody pound-for-pound.â
07:45pm
Michael Carrick on Kobbie Mainoo
07:42pm
Fernandes leading the way for assists
Manchester Unitedâs captain is in the race to be named the PFA Player of the Year, comfortably clear at the top of the assist charts:
18: Bruno Fernandes
10: Jarrod Bowen, Rayan Cherki
7: Erling Haaland
6: Harry Wilson, Mohamed Salah, Jack Grealish, James Garner
07:39pm
Top PL scorers this season
24 goals: Erling Haaland
21 goals: Igor Thiago
15 goals: Antoine Semenyo
14 goals: Joao Pedro
13 goals: Morgan Gibbs-White, Danny Welbeck
Igor Thiago has had a fine season in front of goal for Brentford this season in what has been a real breakthrough year for the 24-year-old, who has recently earned his first call-up to the Brazil squad and signed a new contract with the club.
07:34pm
Pre-match thoughts of Keith Andrews
âWe have earned the right to come into a game like this against a top side that have their own ambitions in a confident manner because of how we have gone throughout the season. We are a little bit disappointed to have not picked up more points in recent weeks, but I have been pleased with his performances.â
On if his team picks itself due to availability:
âTo a point. It does not take a genius to see the depth we have on the bench. Some young players and a couple coming back from injury. The senior support we have is in defence. But the boys are giving everything and there is a selflessness about the group. We will keep pushing.â
07:26pm
Brentfordâs last five results
Brentford 0 Fulham 0 (Premier League)
Brentford 2 Everton 2 (Premier League)
Leeds 0 Brentford 0 (Premier League)
Brentford 2 Wolves 2 (Premier League)
West Ham 2 Brentford 2 (FA Cup, West Ham won on penalties)
Brentford have been the draw kings in recent league games but are very much in the race for European football.
07:21pm
Michael Carrick on the absence of Matheus Cunha
âHe had a bit of a sore hip flexor after the game against Chelsea. He was looking quite promising during the week. We thought he would be okay but he did not quite progress quick enough. It is nothing to serious but unfortunately he misses out tonight.â
07:17pm
Manchester Unitedâs last five results (all Premier League)
Chelsea 0 Manchester United 1
Manchester United 1 Leeds 2
Bournemouth 2 Manchester United 2
Manchester United 3 Aston Villa 1
Newcastle 2 Manchester United 1
Going into their last match at Stamford Bridge, Michael Carrickâs side had won just one of their last four league games but the victory over Chelsea has put them in a strong position to claim a Champions League place.
07:12pm
How the top six looks
A win for Manchester United tonight would almost guarantee Champions League football for next season. Brentford come into this game in ninth but would rise into sixth with a victory tonight
Saturday:
Fulham 1 Aston Villa 0
Liverpool 3 Crystal Palace 1
Wolves 0 Tottenham 1
West Ham 2 Everton 1
Arsenal 1 Newcastle 0
Tonight:
Manchester United vs Brentford
06:51pm
âMan Utd happy with five centre-backs â but Martinez and De Ligt must stay fitâ
Ayden Heaven was mobbed by his Manchester United team-mates at the end of their hard-fought 1-0 win at Chelsea and with good reason.
The 19-year-old recovered from a nervy start to deliver a big performance alongside the similarly impressive Noussair Mazraoui, a full-back by trade, in a makeshift centre-half partnership.
Captain Bruno Fernandes was the first to congratulate Heaven, quickly followed by Joshua Zirkzee and then Luke Shaw. There were a few warm words and a slap on the back from his manager, Michael Carrick, too.
United had four of their five centre-backs missing that night at Stamford Bridge. The circumstances may have been slightly exceptional, with both Lisandro MartĂnez and Harry Maguire suspended and Leny Yoro going down injured on the eve of the game to join Matthijs de Ligt on the sidelines, but at the same time supporters will hope they are not portents for next season.
06:45pm Key moments
Brentford team
06:45pm Key moments
Manchester United team
06:42pm
Team news incoming
We are about to find out the two starting XIs tonight. Harry Maguire is set to return in the heart of defence for Manchester United but will Leny Yoro be back from injury?
06:36pm Key moments
Race for European spots continues
The Premier League weekend comes to a close at Old Trafford as Manchester United host Brentford. The reverse fixture was won by Brentford 3-1 at the Gtech Stadium back in September. Brentford raced into a 2-0 lead thanks to Igor Thiagoâs double before Benjamin Sesko got a goal back for Manchester United, who then missed a penalty in the second half before Mathias Jensen secured the three points for Brentford in second half stoppage time. If Brentford were to win this evening, it would be their first league double over Manchester United since 1936/37.
Manchester United claimed an important victory away at Chelsea last time out as they look to return to the Champions League. They start the night in third, ahead of Liverpool on goals scored and Aston Villa on goal difference. A win tonight would put them on the verge of Champions League qualification.
âI have said it many times, I enjoy being here, I enjoy the role I am in,â Michael Carrick said. âWe have had some good results, and we are in decent shape. There is a lot to go. We still want to keep improving. There are layers that we want to get to really. I will see. I keep saying the same things in front of you every week. There is only so much I can say in terms of that, but I have said it many times again. I enjoy being here. I love being here. It is a real privilege to be in the position I am, but thriving with the responsibility that we got. I am not sure to be honest [when he will get clarity on his future] and it is not something in terms of deadlines that I am really chasing. I think it will become clear when it is going to become clear, and I am here at the moment to help the team and help the club get results. And at the moment, we are doing all right. We can still keep pushing and getting better. So really, that is genuinely all I am focused on.â
Lisandro Martinez is still suspended but Harry Maguire returns from his ban. Leny Yoro could return having missed the win at Chelsea whilst Matthijs de Ligt is closing in on a return from a long-term back problem.
Brentford have drawn their last five league games, including three goalless stalemates. The visitors go into this game in ninth but would rise into sixth with a victory at Old Trafford this evening.
Igor Thiago scores a goal for Brentford against Manchester United
Igor Thiago scored twice when these sides last met - Justin Setterfield/Getty Images
âWe have put ourselves in a good position, but we are not content with where we are and we want to keep pushing,â Keith Andrews said. âI said this to the players; we have got three brilliant away games, Manchester United, Manchester City and Liverpool, and two London derbies at home against West Ham and Crystal Palace. [Old Trafford] is a special place to play football, with the history of the stadium and the football club. You want to go there and test yourself as a player. And it is a really tough test for us, against a team that is playing well. Michael [Carrick] has got them playing some really good football. It is a game for us that we should attack and embrace the challenge of it.â
Jordan Henderson, Rico Henry and Vitaly Janelt have all missed out on the trip to Manchester.
