Marcus Rashford scored his 28th goal of the season as Manchester United settled an old score against Brentford with a controlled 1-0 victory at Old Trafford
 The Bees stunned Erik ten Hag's side back in August, storming to a 4-0 win, but there was no sign of a repeat on a rain-soaked night in Manchester, as United's three-game scoreless run was broken expertly by Rashford
The striker, operating centrally in the absence of Wout Weghorst, latched onto Marcel Sabitzer's knockdown in the 27th minute, volleying emphatically beyond David Raya from close range to secure a vital three points as United got back on course for Champions League qualification
Rashford has now scored a club-record 10 winning goals in the league this season, equal to Wayne Rooney in 2009-10
Brentford were surprisingly passive after being engaged in a 3-3 thriller with Brighton only four days prior - a game where they held the lead three times - and such exertion was evident in Thomas Frank's charges, who were unusually subdued, registering only one effort on target
"We didn't hit our highest level," manager Frank conceded post-match, while opposite number Ten Hag spoke of restoring standards after Sunday's 2-0 humbling at the hands of Newcastle
"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," match-winner Rashford added
United are now tied on 53 points with Eddie Howe's third-place Magpies, who eased to a comprehensive  in the other Wednesday night fixture
February's Carabao Cup triumph underlined the progress overseen by Ten Hag this term, but United's failure to win, or even score, in any of their three league encounters since Wembley has raised concerns - compounded by a particularly meek display against fellow top-four hopefuls Newcastle at the weekend
In contrast to Sunday, United started on the front foot against the below-par Bees, forcing a series of corners and presentable set-piece opportunities as the visitors attempted to sit in and stifle their hosts
But resistance was futile in the 27th minute when a poor Brentford clearance only made it as far as Antony on the edge of the area, and he lofted a clever delivery towards the head of Sabitzer
Rashford then met the Austrian's bouncing knockdown with a sumptuous half-volley - across Europe's top-five leagues, only Erling Haaland (42) and Kylian Mbappe (31) have scored more times this season
David de Gea almost gifted Brentford a surprise lifeline shortly after the restart when his dithering clearance cannoned into Ivan Toney, before having to stand tall to deny substitute Kevin Schade midway through a more evenly-contested second period
Brentford exerted some half-hearted pressure in the closing stages, but the closest they came to scoring was a speculative attempt at a chip from Toney which drifted aimlessly over the bar as the home side held impressively firm
"It was a very good performance
 First, we played some brilliant football
 It isn't easy creating chances against a very good Brentford side who defend compact and really deep
"We created some chances and conceded nothing in the first half
 In the second half we conceded only one chance, so you can say our performance was really good
"Yes [Rashford has been outstanding], very good
 But we can talk almost every game about it and when he is not in the game, like Sunday, it is no good for us
"We have to bring him in the game, and he also has to take responsibility
 There are also other players
 I was really happy with the performance of Jadon Sancho, Antony and Marcel Sabitzer because all game they were a threat
"What was missing on Sunday - determination, passion and desire - we showed that in the second half by winning duels and fights
 That is the way we have to play
 We maybe forgot our standards [at Newcastle] but they have to return if we want to be successful in the final stages of the season
""I love my team
 It's a fantastic team
 It's a very good sign of how far we've come that I stand here at Old Trafford disappointed that we didn't get anything out of the game
 We didn't hit our highest level
"Yes they dominated but I don't think they created massive chances
 We could have done better with the ball
 Of course we concede from a set-piece, which normally we are so good at, so that is disappointing
"Second half was more aggressive - pressing higher
 We could have equalised
 Overall, very pleased with the second half but disappointed we didn't hit a higher level
 We felt there was something for us
" are next in action at home to  on Saturday, kick-off 12
30pm, while  host  on the same day, kick-off 3pm
April 8: (H) - Premier League, kick-off 12
30pmApril 13: (H) - Europa League, kick-off 8pmApril 16: (A) - Premier League, kick-off 4
30pm, live on April 20: (A) - Europa League, kick-off 8pmApril 22: (N) - FA Cup semi-final, kick-off 3pmApril 27: (A) - Premier League, kick-off 8:15pmApril 30: (H) - Premier League, kick-off 2pmMay 4: (A) - Premier League, kick-off 8pm, live on May 7: (A) - Premier League, kick-off 7pmMay 13: (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pmMay 20: (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pmMay 28:  (H) - Premier League, kick-off 4
30pmTBA: (H) - Premier LeagueApril 8:  (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pmApril 15:  (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pmApril 22:  (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pmApril 26:  (A) - Premier League, kick-off 7
45pmApril 29:  (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pmMay 6:  (A) - Premier League, kick-off 5
30pm, live on May 13:  (H) - Premier League, kick-off 3pmMay 20:  (A) - Premier League, kick-off 3pmMay 28:  (H) - Premier League, kick-off 4
30pm
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