Manchester United’s early domination against Brentford told when Casemiro scored for a third straight home match by heading an 11th-minute opener in the Premier League on Monday.
Amad Diallo and Harry Maguire – the two newcomers in United’s line-up – each went close before Casemiro, who is in his final season at Old Trafford, met Harry Maguire’s header at the back post to nod in.
"It's what he does!" 🤷♂️
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 27, 2026
Casemiro fires in a header to give Manchester United the lead over Brentford! pic.twitter.com/rQejnFOPLl
“The closer he gets to the end of his Man United career, the better he gets,” former Red Devils captain Gary Neville told Sky Sports.
“It’s quite basic from Brentford. Keith Andrews won’t be happy.”
You can follow live text updates and stats from the match here.
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Man United vs Brentford: Igor Thiago ‘can’t miss’
Brentford, who conceded from a corner for only the third time this season, were denied a swift reply when Luke Shaw’s attempted sliding intervention did enough to distract Igor Thiago from connecting with Keane Lewis-Potter’s low cross in front of goal.
“I don’t know how Brentford haven’t scored there,” said Neville. “If he just keeps in line with the ball, he can’t miss.”
United would have scored earlier but for Sepp van den Berg clearing Amad’s finish off the line following an electric run by the midfielder and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher clawing centre-back Maguire’s header from Bruno Fernandes’ cross away.
"You have to finish that for him!"
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 27, 2026
Amad is unable to convert after a brilliant run from Kobbie Mainoo 😮 pic.twitter.com/oP6jBbwVDT
Victory for the hosts would put Michael Carrick’s side on the brink of ensuring they play in next season’s Champions League, having won at Chelsea since a surprise defeat to Leeds United in their last game at Old Trafford on April 13.
The Bees have drawn their last six matches in all competitions after 90 minutes and would move sixth with victory or seventh with a draw.
Manchester United team vs Brentford
Defenders Patrick Dorgu (hamstring) and Leny Yoro (knock) were on the bench for United, having been doubts.
Maguire – returning from a ban – and Amad replaced Noussair Mazraoui and the injured Matheus Cunha.
Lisandro Martinez was serving the second match of a three-game suspension and fellow centre-back Matthijs de Ligt remained out with a long-term back issue.
Manchester United starting XI: Senne Lammens, Diogo Dalot, Harry Maguire, Ayden Heaven, Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko
Substitutes: Altay Bayindir, Patrick Dorgu, Tyrell Malacia, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro, Mason Mount, Manuel Ugarte, Shea Lacey, Joshua Zirkzee
Brentford full line up vs Man United
Josh Dasilva (knee) – in a matchday squad for the first time since January 2024 – and forward Kaye Furo (groin) returned on the bench for Brentford, but left-back Rico Henry (foot) and midfielders Jordan Henderson and Vitaly Janelt (hamstring) remained out.
Playmakers Fabio Carvalho and Antoni Milambo have long-term knee injuries.
Brentford starting XI: Caoimhin Kelleher, Keane Lewis-Potter, Nathan Collins, Sepp van den Berg, Michael Kayode, Mathias Jensen, Yehor Yarmoliuk, Mikkel Damsgaard, Kevin Schade, Igor Thiago, Dango Ouattara
Brentford substitutes: Hakon Valdimarsson, Aaron Hickey, Ethan Pinnock, Josh Dasilva, Reiss Nelson, Kristoffer Ajer, Romelle Donovan, Kaye Furo, Ollie Shield
Where to watch Man United vs Brentford: TV channel, live online stream
Kick-off on Monday was at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT), with live coverage in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra.
Via Now TV, Sky Sports costs £14.99 for a day membership, £28 a month for a 12-month membership or £34.99 a month with no contract.
Sky Sports memberships include access to all 12 live Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+, which offers live streams and a dedicated channel.
Visit the Premier League’s site for a full list of international broadcasters.
Manchester United vs Brentford stats
- Manchester United have lost their last two league games against Brentford, which is more defeats than they suffered in their previous 11 against them (W8 D2 L1)
- This is United’s sixth Premier League game played on a Monday this season, which is their most on the day during a single campaign since 1995/96 (also 6), last playing more in 1992/93 (7)
- Since losing 1-0 at home to Everton in November, United have scored in 22 consecutive Premier League matches – their longest scoring run since Alex Ferguson retired, last scoring in that many in a row between November 2012 and April 2013 (23)
- They could suffer consecutive home league defeats for the first time since May 2025
- Bruno Fernandes has 18 Premier League assists this season for United, with only three players ever creating more goals in a single season: Thierry Henry in 2002/03 for Arsenal (20), Kevin De Bruyne in 2019/20 for Manchester City (20) and Mesut Ozil in 2015/16 for Arsenal (19)
- Brentford could complete the league double over Manchester United for the second time, previously doing so during the 1936/37 top-flight campaign, when the Red Devils were relegated
- The last team to have a longer run of draws than Brentford (5) in the division were Manchester City in October/November 2009 (7)
- Since losing 2-0 at home to Brighton and Hove Albion in February, Brentford hadn’t trailed for a single minute in the Premier League across six matches, but Casemiro’s goal meant they failed to go seven in a row without falling behind between November and February of the 2022/23 season
- Kelleher has nine Premier League clean sheets for Brentford this season. The last Republic of Ireland goalkeeper to reach double figures for clean sheets in a season was Shay Given in 2009/10 for Man City (10)
- Of the teams not to have already been relegated from this season’s Premier League, only Newcastle and Fulham (9 each) have lost more away games in the 2025/26 division than Brentford (8)
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