Man Utd 2-1 Brentford: What Carrick said

Manchester United boss Michael Carrick, spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's victory over Brentford: "It was open at times. We started fantastically well. We managed the game and had to see it out. We were pushed tonight but it's the time of year where results are even more important."

On the fast start with Casemiro's goal: "He's scored some big goals for us. Bruno, Harry and Casemiro have a good relationship. We wanted to come out and start quick and look dangerous and creative and we did that."

On scoring the second at a good time: "Just before half-time put us in a good position. The game was never dead. We controlled it with the change at half-time and looked more control and solid. We could have gone for more but I thought there were certain spaces we needed to control better. The boys showed a lot of experience to see the game out. It was a big three points for us and off the back of the Leeds game two wins is great."

On almost securing a Champions League spot: "It wasn't a given, at certain stages we weren't favourites. Now we are in a good position and want to finish as high in the league as we want to keep pushing for that."

Did you know?

• Since Carrick's arrival (the start of his second stint – matchday 22 onwards), United have won more Premier League points than any other side (29 – P13 W9 D2 L2).
• Bruno Fernandes has provided 19 Premier League assists for Manchester United this season, just one shy of the competition's record which is jointly held by Thierry Henry (20 in 2002-03) and Kevin De Bruyne (20 in 2019-20).