Man Utd on brink of Champions League return as brilliant Casemiro shines again

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Casemiro served up another helping of Brazilian brilliance, to help move Manchester United a step closer to the top table of European football.

The veteran midfielder might be leaving Old Trafford in a few weeks time, but will do so with a bang after his first half header sent United towards a crucial 2-0 win.

Benjamin Sesko added a second as United put significant breathing space between themselves and their closest rivals in the scrap for Champions League qualification, while putting a dent in Brentford's own hopes of European football next season.

Mathias Jensen had pulled one back with three minutes of normal time remaining, but it wasn't enough as United held on.

There is never a game which doesn't involve huge pressure, when it comes to United. And the home side knew a win here would move them three points clear of Liverpool and Aston Villa - and into the driving seat when it came to Champions League qualification.

But Brentford came to town with European designs of their own: three points for Keith Andrews' men would see them leapfrog Chelsea, Bournemouth and Brighton into sixth place - and throw a real spanner in the works.

Carrick was boosted by the return of Harry Maguire from suspension, but had to cope without the injured Matheus Cunha, due to a sore hip.

United made a blistering start and should have been ahead inside two minutes. Kobbie Mainoo turned into Diego Maradona for a moment, with a sensational run that saw him go past three defenders before teeing up Amad Diallo. It seemed impossible not to score, with Caoimhin Kelleher stranded by Mainoo's brilliance, but somehow Sepp van den Berg got back to deflect Diallo's shot wide.

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But United were brimming with confidence and laid seige to the Brentford goal. It took a stunning save from Kelleher to keep out Maguire's header millimetres before it crossed the line. While a sublime pass from Bruno Fernandes sent Bryan Mbeumo racing clear, only for Brentford to scramble back and snuff out the danger.

But United got the breakthrough they deserved on 12 minutes when Casemiro stole in at the back post to meet Maguire's headed cross and plant one of his own into the back of the goal.

Brentford could have equalised when Keane Lewis-Potter's cross almost picked out Igor Thiago, but Luke Shaw managed to ride to the rescue with a desperate intervention.

Senne Lammens then somehow managed to deny Michael Kayode from almost point blank range.

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It was fast, furious and fantastic in equal measure. So much so that Thiago could have had a hat-trick in the same amount of minutes. He lost his footing and the ball with just Lammens to beat, then saw another effort superbly saved by the United goalkeeper. Seconds later he was cursing Lammens again, when he flung himself to his right to tip wide another goal bound strike from the wasteful Brazilian.

United were walking a tightrope. But they made Brentford pay before half time when Feranndes charged forward and put a chance on a plate for Sesko, who duly doubled United's lead.

It was Fernandes's 19th assist of the season, leaving him one short of the Premier League record.

It was also a painful blow to a Brentford side which should have been ahead themselves.

Jensen's dripping drive offered them so hope, but the visitors were left to regret being so shocking in front of goal on a night of sheer frustration for Andrews.

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