Brentford vs Manchester United LIVE: Premier League result, final score and reaction tonight
Follow all the action from the Brentford Community Stadium as the Red Devils look to head back into the top six
Was this the attitude Cristiano Ronaldo demanded? Whatever about refusing to accept criticism, Manchester United’s new generation refused to accept anything other than victory. It was certainly the response, and the result, Ralf Rangnick and his team needed. On a night when they were often second best to Brentford, and mere days after Ronaldo gave such a pointed interview about the attitude of younger players, three of the club’s youth graduates scored to secure a crucial 3-1 win in the race for fourth. The table looks that bit better for United. The mood is that bit improved.
That’s the spirit of youth, that feels all the more special when another new academy player scores. The 19-year-old Anthony Elanga was no mere detail in adding to United’s long list of historic teenage goalscorers, though. He offered the most important moment of the game at Brentford Community Stadium, brilliantly improvising on a hopeful cross to give United a lead they scarcely deserved.
Neither he or the team looked back. They were instead racing away, especially for the two moments that clinched it. Mason Greenwood slid in the second on the break before substitute Marcus Rashford thrashed in to score his first goal since October. The angry nature of the finish made it seem like Rashford was proving a point.
Follow all the live reaction after Brentford vs Manchester United below:
Manchester United’s young stars provide clinical touch to down wasteful Brentford
Was this the attitude Cristiano Ronaldo demanded?
Whatever about refusing to accept criticism, Manchester United’s new generation refused to accept anything other than victory. It was certainly the response, and the result, Ralf Rangnick and his team needed.
On a night when they were often second best to Brentford, and mere days after Ronaldo gave such a pointed interview about the attitude of younger players, three of the club’s youth graduates scored to secure a crucial 3-1 win in the race for fourth. The table looks that bit better for United. The mood is that bit improved.
Manchester United’s young stars provide clinical touch to down wasteful Brentford
Brentford 1-3 Manchester United: De Gea came to the visitors’ rescue several times before Elanga, Greenwood and Rashford showed a ruthless streak to claim the points, despite Toney’s late consolation
Reaction from Anthony Elanga
Anthony Elanga spoke to BT Sport after the game and explained how his opening goal set up Manchester United’s second half performance. He said:
Brentford 1 - 3 Man Utd
A landmark win for Manchester United.
Brentford 1 - 3 Man Utd
Fred has been involved in four goals in his last seven Premier League games for Manchester United (1 goal, 3 assist), as many as he had in his first 86 appearances in the competition (3 goals, 1 assist)
Brentford 1 - 3 Man Utd
Three goals in the second half ensured Manchester United earned a comfortable victory over Brentford tonight.
Full-time: Brentford 1 - 3 Man Utd
90+4 mins: There goes the final whistle. Manchester United take an essential three points from their trip to London. They close the gap on West Ham in fourth. United’s second half display is a platform to build on but they failed to keep a clean sheet again and they were unconvincing for long periods.
Brentford will feel hard done by. They put in another decent performance and conceded another three goals. Their next game against Wolves is going to be a big one.
Brentford 1 - 3 Man Utd
90+2 mins: There’s no desire to try and get out by Manchester United, pretty much everyone is playing behind the ball, they desperately don’t want to concede again.
Brentford 1 - 3 Man Utd
90 mins: Baptiste flicks a Brentford free kick into the box but Dalot gets to it ahead of Pinnock and heads it out for a throw in. Bech’s long throw into the box is then cleared by substitute Nemanja Matic. There’s going to be four minutes of added time to play. Man Utd are hanging on here.
Brentford 1 - 3 Man Utd
88 mins: Diogo Dalot concedes a corner for Man Utd. Bryan Mbeumo takes it for Brentford and picks out Ethan Pinnock. He wins the header but there’s no pace on the ball and it loops up nicely for David De Gea to pluck out of the air. Time is running out for Brentford.
GOAL! Brentford 1 - 3 Man Utd (Toney, 85’)⚽️
85 mins: Is that a lifeline for Brentford? The bees swing a free kick into the box and United fail to clear it. Pinnock keeps the attack alive and sends a square ball into the six-yard box. He flies past Harry Maguire and hits Mathias Jensen before falling to Ivan Toney. He toe pokes it back towards goal and leaves David De Gea no chance to keep it out. Five minues to play of the 9, can Brentford get another one?
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