Manchester United 1-0 Brentford: Marcus Rashford fires hosts into fourth in the Premier League

Marcus Rashford’s goal gave Manchester United a 1-0 win over Brentford and sent them to fourth in the Premier League.

Erik ten Hag’s side dominated the early proceedings at Old Trafford, they penned Brentford in their own half and moved the ball about confidently in the final third.

The Red Devils took a deserved lead after 28 minutes. Antony hooked the ball in to Marcel Sabitzer who smartly headed back across goal to Marcus Rashford who calmly side footed his effort past David Raya to score his 15th Premier League goal of the season.

United continued to push forward for a second but despite ending the half with 12 shots to Brentford’s one, they went in just one goal to the good.

Thomas Frank’s side had a huge chance to equalise in the 68th minute when Ivan Toney slipped in Kevin Schade to go one vs one with David De Gea, but the Spanish goalkeeper stood up tall to brilliantly save the shot and keep his side ahead.

Manchester United continued to push for the second goal to seal the victory but were unable to find it. Antony, Fred and Bruno Fernandes had a chance each but all three blazed their efforts over the bar.

The one goal was enough on the night for United who ended a run of three Premier League matches without a win and leapfrogged Tottenham into fourth position.

TALKING POINT – A RETURN TO WINNING WAYS

After going three Premier League matches without a win and slipping to fifth in the table, Manchester United needed a win tonight and that’s exactly what they got. The three points takes them above Tottenham Hotspur and into fourth, level on points with Newcastle United in third. April will certainly not be an easy month for United, they face relegation-threatened Everton next, a side who under Sean Dyche have proved they can be a tough nut to crack.

Ten Hag’s side also have both legs of their Europa League quarter-final against Sevilla, an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley against Brighton and Hove Albion, Premier League trips to Nottingham Forest and Tottenham before rounding off the month with a clash against Aston Villa. It really is going to be a decisive month ahead for United but they have taken a really positive step to ending the season strongly tonight by beating Brentford.

PLAYER OF THE MATCH – SCOTT MCTOMINAY (MANCHESTER UNITED)

The 26-year-old was absolutely everywhere tonight for Manchester United.

He broke up play well, won eight of his duels and when Brentford did manage to push forward, it was often McTominay who was on hand to block shots or make a vital clearance. Not much got past him tonight and he can be very proud of his performance.

PLAYER RATINGS

Manchester United: De Gea 7, Dalot 8 , Varane 7, Martinez 8, Shaw 6, McTominay 8, Sabitzer 7, Antony 7, Fernandes 8, Sancho 7, Rashford 8 Subs: Malacia 7, Fred 6, Martial 6, Lindelof N/A

Brentford: Raya 6, Henry 7, Mee 6, Pinnock 7, Jansson 7, Roerslev 6, Norgaard 6, Jensen 6, Damsgaard 6, Toney 6, Mbuemo 6 Subs: Hickey 6, Dasilva 6, Baptiste 6, Wissa 6, Schade 5

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS

20′ JUST OVER THE BAR! – That’s the best chance of the match so far. The ball is hooked over by Antony to Scott McTominay on the edge of the box strikes his effort over the bar.

28′ GOAL – MANCHESTER UNITED – Marcus Rashford puts Manchester United 1-0 up! Antony hooks the ball in for Sabitzer who smartly heads it across to Rashford who calmly strokes the ball into the back of the net.

67′ A HUGE CHANCE FOR BRENTFORD! – Schade is slipped in brilliantly by Toney and goes 1v1 with De Gea but the Spanish keeper stood firm to save the effort. That is a golden opportunity for Brentford.

KEY STAT