Manchester United back into the top four with narrow win over Brentford

Erik ten Hag's side were fifth heading into the contest in Manchester, but the narrow success over the Bees has allowed them to return to the top four, three points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur with a game in hand on the North London outfit.

Marcus Rashford's 27th-minute strike proved to be the difference between the two sides, with Brentford, who remain ninth in the table, losing in the league for just the sixth time this season.

Man United came flying out of the traps at Old Trafford, with Brentford being forced to defend on the edge of their own penalty box in the early exchanges; Rashford started through the middle for the Red Devils, with Jadon Sancho coming in to replace Wout Weghorst due to his recent struggles.

Ten Hag's side had close to 80% possession in the opening 20 minutes, but Brentford's shape meant that the hosts were finding it difficult to carve out openings; Marcel Sabitzer tried his luck from a free kick in a dangerous area, but his 19th-minute effort was deflected over the crossbar.

Scott McTominay had an opportunity in the 20th minute when the Scotland international found himself free inside the Brentford box, but he missed the crossbar in a let-off for the visitors.

Antony then curled one just wide of the far post four minutes later, with the attacker working the space before attempting to pick out the top corner with his left foot.

Man United did take the lead in the 27th minute, though, with Rashford converting on the half-volley after Sabitzer had headed down towards his teammate inside the Brentford box following a clever Antony pass.

The home side made a change in the 37th minute of the match, with Tyrell Malacia coming on to replace Luke Shaw, who headed straight down the tunnel with an apparent hamstring issue.

Ten Hag's side had another half-chance short after, with Rashford finding Antony on the edge of the box, but the Brazilian's volley was always moving wide of the post, before Rashford had one deflected just wide after trying his luck from the edge of the box.

Brentford goalkeeper David Raya did well to keep out another strike from Rashford in the 44th minute, before Ivan Toney flicked a header over the crossbar down the other end in the away side's only real opening in the first half of football at Old Trafford.

Toney had another opportunity early in the second period when David de Gea took too long on the ball, but luckily for the Man United goalkeeper, the ricochet dropped just wide of the post.

Sancho then had one blocked down the other end, before Rashford was closed out inside the box after a mazy run, with the match keeping a high tempo in the early stages of the second period.

Rashford just failed to make contact on an Antony delivery in the 56th minute, before Raya did well to keep out an effort from Sabitzer, with Man United looking to give themselves a two-goal cushion.

Brentford had a brilliant chance to level in the 67th minute when Kevin Schade worked his way past Raphael Varane before advancing into a one-on-one with De Gea, but the Man United stopper made an excellent save, which led to him needing treatment due to the collision that occurred.

Antony whipped another effort over the crossbar in the 79th minute, before Fred fired over the Brentford crossbar from inside the box after smart work from Rashford out wide.

Schade's pace and trickery was proving to be problematic for Man United in the closing stages, with the home side dropping deeper and deeper due to the pressure from the visitors.

The Red Devils managed to waste some late minutes with a couple of corners of their own, though, which impacted Brentford during a strong period for Thomas Frank's side.

Four additional minutes were played at the end of the 90; Aaron Hickey had a late half-chance when he found space outside the box, but his effort was wide, before Toney lifted one onto the top of the goal, with Brentford ultimately failing to find the back of the net at Old Trafford.

Next up for Man United in the league is a home game against Everton on Saturday, while Brentford will host Newcastle United on the same afternoon.