Marcus Rashford has shared the tactical tweaks Manchester United made following the defeat to Newcastle that helped the Reds overcome a direct Brentford side at Old Trafford on Wednesday evening.
United reclaimed their place in the top four with a hard-fought 1-0 win over the Bees, Rashford firing in the only goal of the game from close range after Marcel Sabitzer's knockdown. The Reds enjoyed the better of the opening 45, with Scott McTominay and Antony both coming close to adding a second.
Brentford grew into the game after the break but rarely threatened United's goal, substitute Kevin Schade racing through on goal to see his effort smothered by David De Gea. An in-form Ivan Toney was duly kept quiet, while the Bees' usual direct threat was managed brilliantly.
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And Rashford, speaking after the game, went into detail over how a conscious effort to cut off supply and be patient in their press allowed United to manage the danger, adding that picking up results while not at their best will be crucial in the hunt for Champions League football.
"We are in that period of the season where every game is important and every game counts so we are pleased to win and hopefully we can get back to where we were a few weeks ago," Rashford told BBC's Match of the Day.
"The important thing is always to win the next game. Everyone is clear that we are not going to play our best every week but there is never a time to drop our standards and we have to keep trying to push each other every week.
"We were a bit more patient out of possession, we waited for the right conditions to press rather than pressing every ball. We were calm and kept communicating to try and stop the supplies to their forward men."
The United forward also said the players are now fully focused on securing Champions League qualification for next season.
He added: "[Finishing in the top four] is the aim, we want to get as many points as we possibly can and we will try and win every game. We just have to keep playing well and give our best, keep recovering well and move on to the next fixture."
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