Manchester United 1 Brentford 0
Rashford 27
Highlights | Post-match Reaction
Marcus Rashford was the difference as his first-half goal gave Manchester United the victory against Brentford and moved United back above Spurs and into the Champions League spots. It’s his 15th Premier League goal so far this season and takes him up to 28 goals in all competitions.
It was a solid performance by United, who dominated the possession, especially in the first half. Rashford’s goal came after sustained United pressure where Brentford were constantly on the back foot and barely allowed out of their own half by a United team that went for the jugular from kick-off. United had eight corners in the first half, and it was from one of those that Rashford’s goal came. Half cleared to Antony outside the box, the Brazilian crossed in for Sabitzer, and his header found Rashford waiting to smash the ball into the roof of the Brentford goal.
Although United had more chances and most of the remaining possession in the half, none were clear-cut, making for a nervous second half. Brentford had been out-classed entirely in the first, but their form coming into the game, one loss in 16, suggested they wouldn’t go down without a fight. Thankfully when their big chance came, De Gea was equal to it.
It was his goal kick that started the attack, unfortunately. His clearance was easily headed by the Brentford defence to Toney, who flicked it around the corner, and suddenly Schade was in, one versus one, with De Gea. De Gea stood tall and blocked the man and ball, injuring himself. Three Brentford touches were all it took to split United’s defence wide apart.
However, apart from a late attempted chip from Toney, the one-on-one was Brentford’s only real goal-scoring chance. It would have been harsh on them to concede from either. All in all, it was a solid United win where they went on the attack from the first whistle to the last but weren’t rewarded with more goals and is something to build on with Everton
Manchester United:
de Gea, Dalot, Varane, Martínez, Shaw, McTominay, Sabitzer, Antony, Fernandes, Sancho, Rashford
Subs: Lindelof, Maguire, Martial, Malacia, Fred, Weghorst, Pellistri, Wan-Bissaka, Butland
Brentford:
Raya, Roerslev, Jansson, Pinnock, Mee, Henry, Damsgaard, Nørgaard, Jensen, Mbeumo, Toney
Subs:Hickey, Schade, Dasilva, Wissa, Jorgensen, Ghoddos, Strakosha, Baptiste, Stevens