Man Utd narrowly beat Brentford to edge nearer Champions League spot

Just two minutes in, there was almost a stunning candidate for goal of the season as Kobbie Mainoo twisted and turned through Brentfords defence before teeing up Amad Diallo with the net begging.

It cried out for a clinical finish, yet the Ivory Coast forward was foiled by a clever block on the line from Sepp van den Berg.

Moments later, Caoimhin Kelleher pulled off his own wonder save, with goal line technology showing he had just managed to tip Harry Maguires header over the bar.

Still, it signalled a tough opening for Keith Andrewss team.

Casemiro broke the deadlock in the 11th minute, this time with Maguire assisting as he headed Bruno Fernandes cross back into the midfielders path, allowing the Brazilian to nod home his ninth Premier League strike this term and enhance his most prolific scoring season yet.

Hot shot Igor Thiago had a quick chance to hit back but fluffed his effort at the back post while closed down by Luke Shaw.

Thiago spurned two further clear openings before the interval, and Senne Lammens was alert to stop what looked like an Ayden Heaven mishit into his own net.

Yet in a match full of end to end action, the linesmans flag alone stopped Amad from scoring, until Benjamin Sesko netted Uniteds second right on half time thanks to yet another Fernandes pass, bending it beyond Kelleher after wrong footing a marker.

The Portuguese maestro kept dictating play after the restart, aware that one more lay off would equal the Premier League assist record shared by Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne.

But Brentford came closest with Thiago again slicing wide and needing offside to bail him out.

Dango Ouattara then struck the frame of the goal from close in, only for Maguire to bravely intercept the follow up overhead kick.

The game seemed to be meandering until Mathias Jensen reignited it with a superb low drive into the bottom corner from outside the area in the 87th minute, marking his personal best tally of five against Manchester United.

It led to a tense conclusion for the visitors, but they clung on for a crucial victory.

United have now found the net in 22 consecutive Premier League fixtures and could clinch Champions League football with victory over Liverpool at Old Trafford next week, assuming other scores do not seal it before then.

Brentfords barren streak dates back to February, though they sit only two points behind sixth with dreams of a debut European campaign alive.