Manchester United held off a late Brentford comeback to secure a 2-1 victory at Old Trafford, with Casemiro's early strike and Benjamin Šeško's first-half goal proving decisive despite Mathias Jensen's 87th-minute response.
Manchester United entered the contest sitting third in the Premier League table with 58 points from 33 games. Brentford arrived in ninth place with 48 points, seeking to build momentum after a run of five consecutive draws. The visitors showed no signs of being a team without recent wins, dominating possession and testing United's defense throughout.
Casemiro struck early for the hosts, finding the net in the 11th minute to give United a dream start. The Brazilian midfielder's clinical finish set the tone for what would become a tightly contested affair. Luke Shaw received a yellow card just five minutes earlier, signaling that both sides would test the referee's patience.
Brentford responded with intensity but couldn't find an equalizer before the break. Šeško doubled United's advantage in the 43rd minute, arriving at the right moment to tap home. The striker's composure in front of goal gave United a commanding 2-0 halftime lead.
The second half saw Brentford emerge with renewed purpose. Sander van den Berg and Destiny Ouattara both received cautions as the visitors pressed forward. United's defense, led by Harry Maguire, remained resolute despite sustained pressure from the away side.
Jensen pulled one back for Brentford in the 87th minute, setting up a tense finale. The midfielder's goal sparked hope among the visitors, who threw bodies forward in search of an equalizer. However, United managed the closing stages effectively to preserve their advantage.
The statistics reflected Brentford's control. The visitors recorded 56 percent possession and completed 485 passes with an 87 percent accuracy rate. United managed 44 percent possession but created more clear-cut opportunities, recording six shots on target compared to Brentford's four.
Casemiro was named the standout performer, earning a 9.5 rating and making 11 tackles across 95 minutes. Bruno Fernandes orchestrated play from midfield, creating six key passes despite limited shot attempts. Jensen's late intervention showed Brentford's attacking threat but ultimately proved insufficient.
The expected goals data showed Brentford slightly ahead at 1.43 to United's 1.27, suggesting the visitors created marginally better chances. Yet United's clinical finishing in the first half proved decisive. Brentford's defensive discipline wavered at crucial moments, with four players receiving yellow cards.
This victory moves Manchester United to 61 points from 34 games, consolidating their third-place position. Brentford remains ninth with 48 points, their winless run now extending to six matches across all competitions. The result suggests United possess the resilience needed for a strong finish to the season.
United host their next opponent at Old Trafford, while Brentford travel away looking to break their streak of draws and defeats.
