Manchester United can hear the Champions League anthem now, a melodic beat that thumps to the tune of Michael Carrick‘s resurgent side, who won once again in the Premier League to strengthen their position in third place.
It might have been a nervy finish for the home side, with Mathias Jensen scoring a rifled strike from outside the area late on, in off the post, but goals from Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko have ensured that United need only two points from four games to play on Europe’s most coveted stage next season.
We don’t want to tempt fate, but it would take a remarkable capitulation for the Red Devils to miss out on a Champions League ticket now, though Carrick will want more gusto to match the grittiness that was on display against the Bees – especially in the second half.
How Man Utd played vs Brentford
Casemiro, 33, has rebounded spectacularly in a Man United shirt, twice the player who floundered under Ruben Amorim’s management, such as it was.
This is a team who believe and who understand each other, though the likes of Sesko are helped by the main man, Bruno Fernandes.
The superlatives have long dried up for this incredible playmaker. The Portuguese magnifico registered his 19th Premier League assist of the season against Keith Andrews’ Brentford, now teetering near of edge of immortalising himself as one of the division’s greatest-ever creators.
The skipper created six chances, and though Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo duel-wielded authority in the middle of the park, they were outshone by the 31-year-old, who has been the difference this season.
Premier League’s Top Assist Makers (2025/26)
Player
Apps
Assists
Bruno Fernandes
31
19
Rayan Cherki
28
10
Jarrod Bowen
34
10
Erling Haaland
32
7
However, not all of the forwards can share Fernandes’ joy on an individual level. In fact, one of Man United’s biggest stars was left frustrated after yet another poor performance in the final third.
Man Utd must drop the new Garnacho
Manchester United have a number of talented forwards, but last summer, the likes of Bryan Mbeumo were signed to mark a significant upgrade on Alejandro Garnacho, who is flashy and fun but lacks clarity in the final third.
For Chelsea, the 21-year-old has only scored eight goals from 42 matches in all competitions. Mbeumo is not as bad as that, but he has left something to be desired in recent months, struggling again across 74 minutes on Monday evening.
In fairness, he put in a shift and sparkled in stages during the early knockings, but Mbeumo faded and continues to search for that early-season form that got supporters so excited after his £71m move from Brentford.
The 26-year-old has now gone nine Premier League games without a goal, last bagging against Tottenham at the start of February. More damning is the fact that he has missed ten big chances across the season, scoring only nine times.
Last year, his clinical edge was his greatest ally, scoring 20 goals and missing only nine big chances. In this, he is in danger of echoing Garnacho in failing to play to his capacity.
It wasn’t the smoothest or snappiest performance of the Carrick chapter, but Man United got the job done. Previous iterations would probably have crumbled, and at this late stage of the season, results are all that matter.
In February, football analyst Raj Chohan noted that Man United’s “unbalanced” attack could be fixed by dropping Mbeumo from his berth at centre-forward. In fairness, Carrick has since pulled him away from number nine and back toward the right-sided role that saw him wreak such havoc under Thomas Frank for Brentford, but he hasn’t rediscovered that giddy level yet.
Bryan Mbeumo vs Brentford
Match Stats
#
Minutes played
74′
Goals + Assists
0 + 0
Touches
35
Shots (on target)
0
Accurate passes
18/21 (86%)
Chances created
2
Crosses
1/4
Possession lost
11
Dribbles
0/0
Recoveries
2
Duels won
3/4
This was the case against Brentford, who nullified him as a direct threat. Mbeumo failed to take even one shot. His 34 touches were fewer than Senne Lammens between the sticks, impressive once again, and though a forward worth their salt is not judged by the volume of their actions, they are by their efficiency when on the ball.
The Cameroonian is a talented, dangerous attacker, but he’s not yet shown that he can bring the full package to the table each week. Considering the struggles he’s faced recently, it might be worth Carrick spinning the wheel and replacing him – perhaps placing Amad Diallo back into a more natural role, or even unleashing the young and exciting Shea Lacey.
He needs to improve, and though his conduct shines in comparison to that of Garnacho, he’s at risk of joining the Argentinian in being too wasteful and, at times, ineffective in the final third.
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