Carrick explains Cunha's injury as Man United beat Brentford; Maguire hails manager: 'Everyone's believed in...'

Manchester United did not miss Matheus Cunha much as they crushed Brentford 2-1 on Monday to close in on a return to the Champions League. Playing at Old Trafford, Casemiro and Benjamin Sesko scored the two goals for Man United, with Mathias Jensen adding a late one for Brentford.

Man United are now in third in the Premier League with 61 points from 34 matches and three points ahead of Liverpool and Aston Villa, their closest competitors for the Champions League spots. Brighton, Bournemouth and Chelsea, on 59, 40, 48 points respectively, are also in the tight race with only a few matches left.

Carrick explains Cunha's injury

Meanwhile, Cunha was a notable absentee for Man United on Monday. He had scored the only goal in the Red Devils' last victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Man United manager Michael Carrick revealed that Cunha missed the Brentford game due to a "sore hip flexor," but it's nothing serious.

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"He just had a bit of a sore hip flexor after the Chelsea game," Carrick told Sky Sports. "It looked promising in the week but he didn’t recover in time, as hoped.

"It's nothing too serious but, unfortunately, he misses out tonight."

Cunha was replaced by Amad Diallo in the playing XI.

Maguire hails Carrick

Meanwhile, former Manchester United defender Harry Maguire has praised manager Carrick for the turnaround at the club, after they were languishing in the bottom half of the table under previous coach Ruben Amorim.

"We had two tough fixtures when Michael first come in, and I think everyone was probably looking at them thinking 'oh no', with Arsenal and Man City, and we managed to get the six points," Maguire told Sky Sports.

"Everyone's believed in it, and we've gathered together. We've got the confidence. We know that we can score goals from anywhere."

Sesko added that the team will continue to push for as many points as possible and qualify for the Champions League.

"We have to push until the last minute. It's important to bring the energy we brought today and we believe we can manage it," Sesko said.

"It was tough, because we knew we faced a difficult team but we managed to hold the score until the end and we deserved the victory."

Man United next host Liverpool on Sunday in the Premier League.