Man Utd beat Brentford to close in on Champions League return

Manchester United need just two more points to secure a Champions League return after first-half goals from Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko were enough for them to win an entertaining encounter with Brentford.

Casemiro nodded home from an acute angle after Harry Maguire had guided a header to the far post after 11 minutes.

Bruno Fernandes then claimed his 19th assist of the season, one short of equalling the Premier League record, when he teed up Sesko three minutes before the break.

Michael Carrick’s side have four games left to complete the task set them by technical director Jason Wilcox in the immediate aftermath of Ruben Amorim’s dismissal in January.

Yet they might have done it before they get to half-time in their game against Liverpool at Old Trafford on Sunday if Brighton and Bournemouth drop points in their weekend games.

The result is a blow to Brentford’s hopes of securing European qualification for the first time and extends their winless run to seven in all competitions.

Keith Andrews’ side only had themselves to blame though. In the first half in particular they had four clear chances to score and Dango Ouattara hit the post from inside the six-yard box in the second.

Mathias Jensen eventually scored with a thunderous effort three minutes from time but the equaliser would not come as Mikkel Damsgaard’s late header went straight to United goalkeeper Senne Lammens.