Manchester United climbed back into the Premier League’s top four by overcoming Brentford at Old Trafford.
Marcus Rashford’s 15th Premier League goal of the season – and 28th in all competitions for his club – secured the win.
It took United back above Tottenham in the race to qualify for the Champions League, and was the response manager Erik ten Hag needed following Sunday’s defeat at Newcastle.
Brentford, who are chasing European qualification, lost for only the second time in 17 Premier League matches.
Scott McTominay and Antony went close before Rashford finished from close range, with a headed assist by Marcel Sabitzer, after the Bees failed to deal properly with a corner.
Brentford, flat for large parts of the first half, were much better after half-time and United were relieved to hear the final whistle.
Home goalkeeper David de Gea needed treatment after making a crucial save to keep out substitute Kevin Schade.
United are level on 53 points with third-placed Newcastle – and three ahead of fifth-placed Tottenham, who have played one more game than their rivals.
Brentford stay ninth – three points behind sixth-placed Brighton, having played two more games than the Seagulls.
Nervy United secure the points
Manchester United had a eight-point cushion on fifth spot after defeating Leicester on 19 February but Sunday’s defeat – coupled with Tottenham’s draw at Everton on Monday – left them outside the top four for the first time since December.
Manager Ten Hag recalled Jadon Sancho in an attempt to provide the team with more energy yet United were hanging on towards the end against a Brentford side that grew in confidence.
Sabitzer tested David Raya after half-time while Fred blazed another opportunity over the bar but United were forced to endure several nervous moments before full-time after failing to add to their tally.
De Gea’s save from Schade was a huge moment in the game, the Spaniard keeping his composure to thwart the Brentford player who was clean through with only the keeper to beat.
Questions will remain about United’s over-reliance on Rashford for goals but Ten Hag will hope United will build on their first Premier League win since winning the Carabao Cup.
More to follow.
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Manchester United
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Brentford
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Squad number1Player nameRaya
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Squad number30Player nameRoerslev
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Squad number18Player nameJansson
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Squad number5Player namePinnock
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Squad number16Player nameMee
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Squad number3Player nameHenry
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Squad number24Player nameDamsgaard
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Squad number6Player nameNørgaard
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Squad number8Player nameJensen
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Squad number19Player nameMbeumo
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Squad number17Player nameToney
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Squad number2Player nameHickey
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Squad number9Player nameSchade
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Squad number10Player nameDasilva
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Squad number11Player nameWissa
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Squad number26Player nameBaptiste
Line-ups
Man Utd
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 1de Gea
- 20Dalot
- 19Varane
- 6Li Martínez
- 23ShawBooked at 24minsSubstituted forMalaciaat 37′minutes
- 39McTominayBooked at 42mins
- 8Bruno FernandesBooked at 59mins
- 21AntonySubstituted forLindelöfat 86′minutes
- 15SabitzerSubstituted forFredat 71′minutes
- 25SanchoSubstituted forMartialat 71′minutes
- 10Rashford
Substitutes
- 2Lindelöf
- 5Maguire
- 9Martial
- 12Malacia
- 17Fred
- 27Weghorst
- 28Pellistri
- 29Wan-Bissaka
- 31Butland
Brentford
Formation 5-3-2
- 1Raya
- 30RoerslevSubstituted forHickeyat 75′minutes
- 18Jansson
- 5Pinnock
- 16Mee
- 3Henry
- 24DamsgaardBooked at 50minsSubstituted forDasilvaat 62′minutes
- 6NørgaardBooked at 61minsSubstituted forWissaat 75′minutes
- 8JensenSubstituted forBaptisteat 62′minutes
- 19MbeumoSubstituted forSchadeat 62′minutes
- 17Toney
Substitutes
- 2Hickey
- 9Schade
- 10Dasilva
- 11Wissa
- 13M Jorgensen
- 14Ghoddos
- 22Strakosha
- 26Baptiste
- 33Stevens
- Referee:
- John Brooks
- Attendance:
- 73,309
Live Text
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Match ends, Manchester United 1, Brentford 0.
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Second Half ends, Manchester United 1, Brentford 0.
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Scott McTominay (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Ivan Toney (Brentford).
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Offside, Manchester United. Fred tries a through ball, but Tyrell Malacia is caught offside.
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Attempt missed. Ivan Toney (Brentford) right footed shot from outside the box is just a bit too high.
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Anthony Martial (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
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Foul by Pontus Jansson (Brentford).
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Attempt missed. Aaron Hickey (Brentford) left footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Josh Dasilva.
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Foul by Fred (Manchester United).
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Ben Mee (Brentford) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Ethan Pinnock.
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Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Rico Henry.
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Substitution, Manchester United. Victor Lindelöf replaces Antony.
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Corner, Brentford. Conceded by Bruno Fernandes.
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Tyrell Malacia (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Kevin Schade (Brentford).
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Attempt missed. Fred (Manchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is too high. Assisted by Marcus Rashford.
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Corner, Manchester United. Conceded by Ethan Pinnock.
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Attempt missed. Antony (Manchester United) left footed shot from outside the box is high and wide to the left. Assisted by Tyrell Malacia.
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