Manchester United beat Brentford 1-0 at Old Trafford in a game that saw Marcus Rashford return to scoring ways in the Premier League.
The only goal of the game came in the 27th minute when the red devil’s top scorer volleyed past David Raya from close range.
Eric ten Hag’s side dominated the game without creating many big chances to challenge the Brentford keeper.
The bees struggled to get in the game, only registering one shot on target in the 90 minutes, their best chance falling to substitute Kevin Schade whose chip was anticipated and saved well by David De Gea.
Both Ten Hag and Thomas Frank made one change to their starting XI’s with Jadon Sancho replacing Wout Weghorst for the hosts and Mads Roerslev replacing Aaron Hickey for the visitors.
The start of the game was as cagey as many would’ve anticipated with Frank’s side holding their defensive shape well and United cautious not to leave themselves vulnerable whilst they try to carve out an opening.
United took the lead in the 27th minute through top-scorer Rashford. The goal came as the result of a corner which Ethan Pinnock headed clear to the edge of the box where Antony was waiting.
The Brazilian chipped a curled cross back into the area which Marcel Sabitzer headed back across goal to Rashford who powerfully volleyed past Raya from the edge of the six-yard box, leaving the Spaniard no chance.
The goal was the 25-year old’s first league goal since late February ending a baron run for the winger. United went into the break 1-0 up after a half of limited chances.
Ten Hag’s side dominated the ball but didn’t challenge Raya as much as they would have wanted to. Brentford didn’t offer much in the first-half, the bees not registering a shot-on-target and allowing United far too much time on the ball.
Brentford started the second-half better by being brave by pushing higher up the pitch and not allowing the United backline to be so comfortable in possession.
Brentford seemed to gain a boost after a triple substitution midway through the second half which saw the likes of Josh Dasilva and youngster Schade brought off the bench.
Schade had a golden opportunity to level the game minutes after coming on when Ivan Toney set him away with a clever flick putting the young German one on one with De Gea.
However, De Gea was quick off his line and pressured Schade making a brilliant save from close range when the substitute attempted to chip him.
With the game not so comfortable now for United Ten Hag’s response was to make changes himself, bringing on a more defensive player in Fred for Sabitzer as well as Anthony Martial for Sancho.
United had chances to put the game beyond doubt, most notably through Fred when his shot flew over the bar from 12-yards out.
But ultimately this didn’t matter as Brentford didn’t create enough chances to score an equaliser and United ran out 1-0 victors.
The result moves United up once place into fourth, leapfrogging top-four rivals Spurs.
As for Brentford they remain ninth, still only three points away from a Europe League spot.