Rashford fires Manchester United past Brentford, back into top 4

Marcus Rashford sent Manchester United back into the Premier League top four with the winner as the Red Devils beat Brentford 1-0 on Wednesday.

Fourth-place United now have a three-point lead over Tottenham and a game in hand over Spurs in the race for a place in next season's Champions League.

United had slipped to fifth after a run of three league games without a win and cup commitments that meant they had not registered a Premier League win since mid-February.

Erik ten Hag's men also had a score to settle with the Bees after a humiliating 4-0 defeat when the sides last met in August.

The Dutch coach was stinging in his criticism of his players' attitude and desire in losing 2-0 to Newcastle on Sunday and got the response he was looking for.

In stark contrast to recent matches, United started brightly and could have been in front before Rashford's strike as Anthony and Scott McTominay fired just off target.

Rashford started through the middle as Ten Hag's patience with Wout Weghorst finally ran out and that decision bore fruit when the England international was perfectly placed to side-foot home Marcel Sabitzer's knockdown for his 28th goal of the season.

Brentford had lost just one of their previous 16 Premier League games to rise to ninth in the table.

Thomas Frank's men had offered barely anything of an attacking threat for the first hour but were nearly gifted an equaliser when David de Gea's clearance was charged down and the ball flew inches wide.

De Gea made amends when he spread himself to block from Kevin Schade with Brentford's only other clear sight of goal.