Marcus Rashford on target as Manchester United edge Brentford at Old Trafford

Marcus Rashford fired Manchester United to their first Premier League win in six weeks as Erik ten Hag’s side overcame Brentford 1-0 to move back into the top four.

February’s League Cup triumph underlined the progress overseen by the Dutchman this season, but the Red Devils’ failure to win any of their three league matches since Wembley has caused some concern.

Sunday’s meek defeat at Newcastle led Ten Hag to once again publicly question his players’ hunger, but United showed character three days later to edge out surprise package Brentford at Old Trafford.

In-form Rashford struck the first-half winner from the impressive Marcel Sabitzer’s knockdown, putting the hosts on course for just their fourth Premier League win in 10 top-flight matches.

United did drop off after the break as Brentford bounced back from a subdued first-half display, but Thomas Frank’s men were unable to eke out an equaliser.

David De Gea spread himself to block substitute Kevin Schade’s effort as United gained a measure of revenge for August’s 4-0 loss to the Bees in Ten Hag’s second match in charge.

That defeat was among a handful of alarming performances that have seen the side return to what the former Ajax boss calls “old habits”.

Ten Hag reacted by sticking with an unchanged side after last month’s annihilation at Liverpool and did similar this time around, plumping for only one change from Newcastle.

It meant Wout Weghorst dropped to the bench for the first time since joining on loan in January, with United having to remain patient as the Bees’ five-man backline sat deep and frustrated.

A lack of movement and creativity meant the Red Devils offered little in response until showing flickers of life midway through the opening period.

Scott