Manchester United is on the verge of returning to the Champions League. After their 2-1 victory against FC Brentford, the Red Devils have established an eleven-point lead over sixth-placed Brighton & Hove Albion with four rounds remaining in the Premier League.
Casemiro (11′) and former Leipzig player Benjamin Sesko (43′) secured a comfortable advantage for manager Erik ten Hag’s team before halftime, marking their eleventh home win of the season. The second goal was set up by Manchester’s captain, Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese midfielder is continuing his pursuit of the record for the most assists in a single Premier League season. He now has 19 direct goal contributions this season, drawing him level with Mesut Özil’s tally for Arsenal in the 2015/16 campaign. Only Thierry Henry (Arsenal, 2002/03) and Kevin De Bruyne (Manchester City, 2019/20), with 20 assists each, have achieved more.
Furthermore, this was Fernandes’ 140th direct goal involvement (70 goals, 70 assists) in a Manchester United shirt. This milestone places him alongside his compatriot Cristiano Ronaldo, who recorded 103 goals and 37 assists for the club.
Brentford’s late consolation goal by Mathias Jensen (87′) proved insufficient. With a twelve-point deficit behind league leaders Arsenal, Manchester United, who finished 15th last year, are not considered contenders for the title this season.