Manchester United edged past Brentford 2-1 at Old Trafford on Monday night to make it back to back Premier League wins for the first time in months.
Casemiro headed home the opener before Benjamin Sesko made it two before the break. Mathias Jensen gave the Bees a lifeline with three minutes left but United clung on.
Here’s all the bits you probably missed.
CASEMIRIO CONDUCTS THE OLD TRAFFORD CHOIR
The Brazilian knows his time is up. And he’s squeezing every last drop out of it.
Since it was announced Casemiro will leave at the end of the season, the midfield gladiator has soaked up every minute at the Theatre of Dreams like a man possessed. Monday was no different.
When he powered in the opener, every outfield player mobbed him. Then came the real show. As he walked back to the halfway line, Casemiro started conducting the crowd, fingers waving through the air like he was leading the Halle Orchestra.
The Stretford End responded with “Du, du, du, Casemiro” before quickly switching to “One more year, one more year, Casemiro”.
He has just two more home games left. Against Nottingham Forest? Bring tissues.
FERNANDES APOLOGISES TO MBEUMO. YES, REALLY
Bruno Fernandes was serenaded straight from kick off. “Bruno, Bruno, Bruno, comes from Sporting like Cristiano” echoed around Old Trafford within five minutes. He lapped it up.
But the real talking point came during United’s second goal. Fernandes had the ball, driving at the Brentford box. To his right? Bryan Mbeumo, in acres. To his left? Sesko.
Mbeumo was the obvious pass. Fernandes hesitated. For a split second, it looked like he’d blown it. But he eventually found Sesko, who smashed it home.
Then came the apology. Fernandes held his hands out to Mbeumo saying sorry before turning to hug Sesko. Mbeumo still joined the celebrations, but he wouldn’t have been smiling if that chance had gone begging.
It said everything about Fernandes as a leader. He didn’t have to apologise. The goal went in. But he knew Mbeumo was in a brilliant position too. Class.
LAMMENS PULLS OFF SAVE OF THE SEASON? HEAVEN ALMOST SCORES A HOWLER
United got complacent after taking the lead. Took their foot off the gas. Let Brentford back in.
And they carved out some proper chances. But Senne Lammens? The Belgian was having none of it.
His best save wasn’t even from a Brentford player. A cross smacked into Ayden Heaven’s torso and was flying towards his own net at the Stretford End. Lammens reacted like a cat, getting down to his right to produce an instinctive stop that defied physics.
Hundreds of fans rose to their feet. One bloke a few rows down from the press box celebrated it like a goal. Proper.
There was more cheers when Lammens claimed a cross in the second half to kill a Brentford attack. He’s made a massive difference since his debut in October. No question.
BRENTFORD IN DISBELIEF AND YOU CAN SEE WHY
When Dango Ouattara smacked the crossbar with a header 20 minutes from time, one Brentford analyst sank into his chair and put his hands over his head. Pure disbelief.
Manager Keith Andrews had a similar meltdown when a gorgeous ball flashed across the United box with no one in red and white stripes able to get on the end of it.
The Bees created plenty. They deserved a goal for their efforts. But they were wasteful. So wasteful.
And then irony of ironies, Jensen makes it 2-1 in the 87th minute with a long range rocket. One of the hardest chances they’d had all night. Typical. If they’d been clinical earlier, this story reads very differently.
HOLLAND’S HANDS ALL OVER CARRICK’S TACTICAL TWIST?
At half time, Carrick hooked Amad and brought on Noussair Mazraoui. Switched to a back five.
Ruben Amorim watching from home in Portugal would have raised an eyebrow. That was his formation. The one that got him sacked after 14 disastrous months.
But here’s the interesting bit. TV cameras zoomed in on Steve Holland as the change became clear. Holland was Gareth Southgate’s No.2 with England. And the Three Lions spent years playing with a back five at major tournaments.
Coincidence? Maybe not.
United fans have nightmares about that system after Amorim’s tenure. But on Monday night, it shored things up. Brentford pushed. United held. And it proved Carrick has a tactical brain, something his predecessor sorely lacked.
