Player Ratings: Manchester United 2-1 Brentford

Photo: Manchester United

Manchester United moved a step closer to UEFA Champions League football on Monday, securing a gritty, but crucial win over Brentford at Old Trafford.

United started very strong, looking promising going forward in the opening 15 minutes. Casemiro opened the scoring for United with a fine header from close range, with Harry Maguire and Amad coming close with a couple of opportunities in that same period.

Brentford had their opportunities, with Igor Thiago somehow not managing to find the target with some clear-cut chances, failing to find his feet and regain his composure. Senne Lammens was on top form, making a number of vital saves.

Bruno Fernandes got his 19th Premier League assist of the season right before half-time, as Amad got a brilliant sliding tackle, freeing up the United captain on the counter, who then picked out Benjamin Sesko who fired the ball into the net.

In the second half, Michael Carrick made a tactical change to a three-at-the-back to shore up the defence, and while Mathias Jensen scored late on, they held on for the win.

Here are how the players fared at Old Trafford:

Senne Lammens 9

A stellar display from the United shotstopper. Essentially did not do anything wrong, making a number of vital saves, with two of them being attempted clearances from Ayden Heaven. Kept United in the game in the first half, and then commanded his penalty area well in the second. Quickly becoming the signing of the summer.

Diogo Dalot 6

A mixed game for the Portuguese full-back. He endured a tough time in the first half, as Brentford looked to attack down his side. However, he improved when United switched to a three-at-the-back and he was pushed a bit further forward.

Harry Maguire 7

Returned after two games out due to suspension, and proved to be a threat in the opposition box, yet he was struggling to find his feet defensively. Settled down and was much better in the second half.

Ayden Heaven 6

Monday night proved to be a tougher night than that against Chelsea, with Heaven requiring Lammens to be at his very best in the first half. While he had a couple of nervy moments, he settled down and formed a good partnership with Maguire after the break.

Luke Shaw 5

Got booked very early on, and was rather untidy on the ball. Substituted due to a possible injury. Not his best game.

Casemiro 8

Another brilliant performance from the Brazilian. Casemiro did excellently well to sneak into space in the penalty area to head United in front. Had to work a lot in the first half but he also covered plenty of ground to defend the backline well in the second half. Excellent from the veteran.

Kobbie Mainoo 9

Mainoo is following a good performance with a stellar display. Did fantastically well to squirm past Brentford's midfield and defence before setting up Amad, who somehow could not finish the chance. He was brilliant defensively, woring tirelessly to make sure United are solid at the back. Together with Lammens, contenders for man of the match.

Bryan Mbeumo 6

A rathe quiet game from the Cameroonian, who has struggled for form since AFCON. Got a heavy touch to deny himself a goalscoring opportunity in the second half, but also worked a lot to put pressure on his former club.

Bruno Fernandes 7

Fernandes is right on the verge of making Premier League history, and he seemed more determined to get assists than to score himself. Set Sesko up brilliantly before half-time, and he was constantly driving forwards in search of more goals in the second half.

Amad 5

Similar to Mbeumo, Amad had a relatively quiet game. Squandered a good opportunity from a Mainoo pass, and he was also clearly offside for a goal that was eventually disallowed. Hooked at half-time as United switched to a three-at-the-back.

Benjamin Sesko 7

Another lung-busting game for the big Slovenian. Could not get the ball in good spaces in the first half, up until he was consistently pushing and pressing the Brentford backline. Got on the end of an excellent move right before the break to double United's lead.

Substitutes

Noussair Mazraoui 7

Came on at half-time and helped solidify United defensively, forming a steady part of the back three.

Leny Yoro 6

Came on midway through the half, and he looked more comfortable on and off the ball than he has done in the past.

Mason Mount 6

Made a couple of neat touches in a late cameo. Needs more minutes.

Joshua Zirkzee 6

Brought on very late, with not much time to influence the game.

Head Coach - Michael Carrick 8

Set up the team to be more attacking in the first half, and there were some very neat moves, but United were often too open defensively. Carrick recognised that, and he switched the team to a back three for the second half, and United for large parts of the game looked relatively comfortable. A positive result for Carrick,