Manchester United 2-1 Brentford: Match Report

Manchester United 2-1 Brentford: Match Report

Manchester United welcomed Brentford to Old Trafford as they looked to move closer to their Champions League ambitions.

First half

United started well, and a glorious run by Kobbie Mainoo presented a wonderful chance for Amad, but the Ivorian’s goal-bound effort was blocked on the line.

It was a lovely, jinking run that deserved to be capped off with a goal and reminded fans exactly what the youngster is capable of.

United kept up the red-hot pace, and a short corner saw Fernandes curl in a delicious ball that Harry Maguire headed right at goal. Unfortunately, Caoimhin Kelleher was equal to it and pulled off an impressive stop.

The Red Devils got their reward for their rapid start. A deep Fernandes corner was headed back by Maguire, and the lethal Casemiro headed in from close range, once again demonstrating outstanding instinct in the box.

The away side responded, and Thiago was inches away from tucking in a flashed effort across goal.

United were living dangerously, and Michael Kayode was played into the box with only Senne Lammens to beat. The Belgian pulled off a vital one-handed stop to keep the lead.

Amad carried the ball forward from the halfway line after 25 minutes, but in spite of finding space, he fired wildly over. Nice build-up play by the Reds saw Fernandes hang up a cross to the back post, but Amad could only find the hands of the Irish keeper in the Brentford goal.

The Red Devils had another huge slice of luck when Thiago was played in one-on-one, but he lost his footing and a mixture of Diogo Dalot, Ayden Heaven, and Lammens finally cleared up the danger.

Moments later, Thiago was sent through on goal, but Heaven made a great recovering tackle and Lammens showed strong reflexes to keep Heaven’s prod at goal out.

Lammens once again pulled off an outstanding stop in front of the Stretford End when a cross deflected off Heaven, and the young keeper plucked the ball out of the top corner.

United thought they had responded perfectly when a beautiful through ball by Fernandes was slotted in by Amad, but the offside flag went up.

Fernandes was not to be denied as he launched another counter, and while it looked for all the world he would play in Mbeumo, he waited for the perfect moment to find Sesko, who kept his calm to fire in United’s second.

In an action-packed first half, Mathias Jensen curled an effort just wide of Lammens’ post. The whistle blew for half-time, and United were 45 minutes away from achieving their goal.

Second half

United started the second half in better form and Maguire had another header that was well stopped by the Bees’ keeper.

The Red Devils tried to slow the play down but were unable to have any real chances in the first 15 minutes of the second half.

Mainoo kept up his sublime performance and made consecutive sliding tackles, much to the delight of the Old Trafford crowd.

Mbeumo was almost played in after a great ball by Maguire but his first touch let him down and the ball fell kindly to Kelleher.

United almost caused their own downfall when Maguire gave the ball away in his box but Heaven made an impressive block to cover his experienced partner.

The away side almost got on the scoresheet but Ouattara headed against the post and Maguire put in a sensational headed block to preserve the lead.

On 77 minutes, lovely play around the edge of the box resulted in Fernandes laying off Casemiro, whose shot just whistled wide.

The away side wouldn’t give in and Jensen fired a stunning curling effort into the bottom corner to halve the deficit and make it a nervy ending for United’s fans.

The home fans had their hearts in their mouths when Damsgaard flicked the ball towards goal but luckily it was straight into Lammens’ hands.

The Red Devils held on for a massive win which all but sealed Champions League football for next season.

First XI: Lammens, Dalot, Maguire, Heaven, Shaw, Casemiro, Mainoo, Amad, Sesko, Mbeumo

Subs: Mazraoui, Mount, Yoro, Zirkzee

Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images

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