Casemiro’s goal gives hosts Premier League lead before Igor Thiago scorns striker ‘can’t miss’ chance
Manchester United’s early dominance against Brentford came to an end when Casemiro scored a third consecutive home goal with an 11th-minute opener in the Premier League on Monday.
Amad Diallo and Harry Maguire – two new signings for United – went close before Casemiro, in his final season at Old Trafford, met Harry Maguire’s head from behind to nod home.
“That’s what he’s doing!” 🤷♂️
Casemiro heads to give Manchester United the lead over Brentford! pic.twitter.com/rQejnFOPLl
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 27, 2026
“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 really basic from Brentford. Keith Andrews will not be happy.”
You can follow live text updates and stats from the game here.
Man United vs Brentford: Igor Thiago ‘can’t miss’
Brentford, who conceded a corner for only the third time this season, were denied a quick response when Luke Shaw tried to slide in to try and disrupt Igor Thiago from connecting with Keane Lewis-Potter’s low ball in front of goal.
“I don’t know how Brentford didn’t score there,” said Neville. “As long as he keeps up with the ball, he won’t be missed.”
United would have scored a goal earlier but for Sepp van den Berg to clear Amad and finish off the line following an electric run by the midfielder and goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher hitting the ball between defender Maguire with the head of Bruno Fernandes.
“You have to finish him off!”
Amad can’t convert after a great run from Kobbie Mainoo 😮 pic.twitter.com/oP6jBbwVDT
– Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) April 27, 2026
Victory for the home side will put Michael Carrick’s side on the brink of securing a place in the Champions League next season, having won against Chelsea since losing to Leeds United in their last game at Old Trafford on April 13.
The Bees have drawn their last six games in all competitions after 90 minutes and will move to sixth with a win or seventh with a draw.
Manchester United vs Brentford team
Defenders Patrick Dorgu (hamstring) and Leny Yoro (knock) were on the United bench, doubtful.
Maguire – returning from suspension – and Amad replaced Noussair Mazraoui and the injured Matheus Cunha.
Lisandro Martinez was serving the second game of a three-match suspension and centre-back Matthijs de Ligt remains out with a long-term problem.
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
Changed: Altay Bayindir, Patrick Dorgu, Tyrell Malacia, Noussair Mazraoui, Leny Yoro, Mason Mount, Manuel Ugarte, Shea Lacey, Joshua Zirkzee
Full line-up for Brentford vs Man United
Josh Dasilva (knee) – in the matchday squad for the first time since January 2024 – and striker Kaye Furo (groin) return to the Brentford bench, but defender Rico Henry (foot) and midfielders Jordan Henderson and Vitaly Janelt (hamstring) remain 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 instead of: 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 streaming online
Kick-off on Monday was at 20:00 BST (15:00 ET / 12:00 PT), shown live in the UK on Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League and Sky Sports Ultra.
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Sky Sports membership includes access to all 12 live Sky Sports channels and Sky Sports+, which offers live streaming and a dedicated channel.
Visit the Premier League website for a full list of international broadcasters.
Manchester United vs Brentford statistics
- Manchester United have lost their last two league games against Brentford, more defeats than they have had in their last 11 (W8 D2 L1).
- This is United’s sixth Premier League game played on a Monday this season, the most games on a day in a single campaign since 1995/96 (and 6), the most being played in 1992/93 (7).
- Since losing 1-0 at home to Everton in November, United have scored in 22 consecutive Premier League games – their longest scoring run since Alex Ferguson’s retirement, with their last tally between November 2012 and April 2013 (23).
- They could lose back-to-back home league games for the first time since May 2025
- Bruno Fernandes has 18 Premier League assists this season for United, with only three players having scored more 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 can finish the league twice ahead of Manchester United for the second time, having previously done so in the 1936/37 top-flight campaign, when the Red Devils were defeated.
- The last team to draw longer than Brentford (5) in the division was Manchester City in October/November 2009 (7)
- Since losing 2-0 at home to Brighton and Hove Albion in February, Brentford have not trailed for a minute in the Premier League in six games, but Casemiro’s goal meant they failed to make it seven in a row without conceding 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 the double figure with clean sheets in a season was Shay Given in 2009/10 for Man City (10).
- Of the teams that have not been relegated from the Premier League this season, only Newcastle and Fulham (9 each) have lost more away games in the 2025/26 season than Brentford (8).
