Rashford's goal puts Man U. ahead of Brentford and into fourth place.

At Old Trafford on Wednesday, Manchester United defeated Brentford 1-0 in the Premier League to move back into the top four. Marcus Rashford scored the game's only goal with a spectacular half-volley.

The victory was the ideal reaction to Newcastle United's disappointing 2-0 victory on Sunday, and it moved the Red Devils to 53 points, three more than Tottenham Hotspur in fifth place and level with the Magpies in third.
 

The victory was the ideal reaction to Newcastle United's disappointing 2-0 victory on Sunday, and it moved the Red Devils to 53 points, three more than Tottenham Hotspur in fifth place and level with the Magpies in third.

United started brightly, forcing a series of corners and free kicks as Brentford pulled their outfield players behind the ball to try to close down space, and when the breakthrough came in the 27th minute it was from another set-piece.

A Brentford clearance from a corner only made it as far winger Antony on the edge of the box. He lofted it towards the head of Marcel Sabitzer, and Rashford met the Austrian's bouncing knockdown with a sumptuous half-volley that gave David Raya no chance to register his 28th goal of the season.

Early in the second half, David De Gea nearly handed Brentford a lifeline when his errant clearance cannoned into the charging Ivan Toney. Fortunately for the United goalkeeper, the ball bounced to safety.

When Kevin Schade, a substitute, received a pass from Toney and ran at the goalkeeper in the 67th minute, De Gea once more had to step up and deflect the shot.

When Fred received a pass from Rashford in the 80th minute with the goal at his mercy, the Brazilian blazed the ball high over the bar. Manchester United could have won the game at that point.

In the final moments, Brentford pushed hard, but the closest they got to scoring was a reckless chip from Toney that harmlessly flew over the bar as the home team held on.