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

(Action Images via Reuters)

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:

Brentford vs Manchester United

• Man United starlets provide clinical touch to down wasteful Brentford
• 54’ - Great control and finish from Elanga puts United ahead after hosts spurn several big chances
• 62’ - Greenwood taps in to double visitors’ lead after Fernandes runs from deep
• 77’ - Rashford wraps up the points off the bench by firing high past Lossl
• 84’ - Toney finally bundles one in for hosts after earlier wasted opportunities

[19 January 2022 22:10 · Michael Jones]

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.

[19 January 2022 22:08 · Michael Jones]

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:

Second half we played our best football. We really stepped it up. The first goal lifted the team, then the second and third goal came and it got better.

“The first touch set it up. I could see the keeper coming and I just had to head it in.

“I want to continue to work hard and get more goals. I appreciate the boss so much. You can see the intensity we put in in training and f you put in the work in training you get the results you deserve.”

[19 January 2022 22:06 · Michael Jones]

Brentford 1 - 3 Man Utd

A landmark win for Manchester United.

[19 January 2022 22:02 · Michael Jones]

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)

[19 January 2022 21:59 · Michael Jones]

Brentford 1 - 3 Man Utd

Three goals in the second half ensured Manchester United earned a comfortable victory over Brentford tonight.

(Manchester United via Getty Imag)

(Manchester United via Getty Imag)

(Manchester United via Getty Imag)

[19 January 2022 21:54 · Michael Jones]

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.

[19 January 2022 21:51 · Michael Jones]

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.

[19 January 2022 21:49 · Michael Jones]

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.

[19 January 2022 21:47 · Michael Jones]

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.

[19 January 2022 21:43 · Michael Jones]

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?