Match review: Manchester United return to top four with crucial win over Brentford

Manchester United's English striker Marcus Rashford (R) celebrates after scoring his team first goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Brentford at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on April 5, 2023. (Photo by Darren Staples / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images)

Manchester United are back in the top four of the Premier League after defeating Brentford this evening at Old Trafford.

It was Marcus Rashford’s 27th-minute goal that was enough to see the Red Devils over the line against the travelling Bees, who suffered just their second defeat this calendar year.

Meanwhile, United were winless and goalless in their past three league matches heading into tonight’s game, so the three points were crucial to their top-four pursuit. They’d dropped to fifth following Tottenham Hotspur’s draw with Everton on Monday but now sit fourth, level on points with Newcastle United but trailing through goal difference.

It was a somewhat lacklustre affair, with the Reds unwilling to fully commit to the second goal as they likely knew the kind of threat that Brentford could unleash on them. However, a win is a win, and it rarely looked like it would be anything less than one throughout the evening.

Next up for the Reds

Erik ten Hag’s side will now turn their attention to Saturday when relegation-nearing Everton make the trip to M16 for the early kick-off. The Toffees are currently 16th and desperate for survival under Sean Dyche, so it’s bound to be a tough scrap.

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