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
Brentford boss Thomas Frank ‘flattered’ by Christian Eriksen talk
Aaron Wan-Bissaka set to miss two more Manchester United games through illness
Ralf Rangnick’s stance on Paul Pogba’s Manchester United contract is risky but realistic
GOAL! Brentford 0 - 1 Man Utd (Elanga, 55’)⚽️
55 mins: The deadlock is broken! Patient build-up from Man Utd again sees them slowly work the ball into Brentford’s final third. It comes to Fred who flicks the ball into the box to match Anthony Elanga’s run from the left. The teenager gets to the ball before Jonas Lossl, flicks it up and then heads it past the gaolkeeper to give Manchester United the lead!
Brentford 0 - 0 Man Utd
51 mins: The game is very open at the moment. Mason Greenwood brings the ball into the box and then leaves it for Ronaldo. He’s dispossessed almost immediately and Brentford work it up to Mbeumo again. The forward turns towards United’s box and takes on Alex Telles who is a little too forecful with his tackle and brings down the Brentford man.
Leicester 2-1 Tottenham⚽️
Leicester have retaken the lead with less than 15 minutes to play at the King Power Stadium. James Maddison gets on the end of a nice pass from Harvey Barnes and slots home a deflected shot off the post!
Brentford 0 - 0 Man Utd
48 mins: Man Utd play the corner short before giving the ball to Fernandes on the right side. He floats a cross to the back post where Ronaldo wins the header and knocks it onto the crossbar!
Brentford then counterattack from another United corner. It’s poor from United who are left with just one defender as the ball comes up to Mbeumo. He sprints towards the box before passing the ball across to Jensen. The midfielder seems to panic and shoots from the edge of the area leaving De Gea with an easy save low down.
Second half: Brentford 0 - 0 Man Utd
Kick off: Brentford get the match back underway but United win the ball early. Ronaldo whips a cross into the box but Pinnock heads it clear. The visitors recover the ball and slide it back up to Ronaldo. He runs into the right side of the box and takes a shot that gets deflected behind for a corner.
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Brentford 0 - 0 Man Utd
Nothing the separate the teams in terms of scoreline but Brentford have had more shots (8) with three of them on target compared to United’s (4) with none on target.
Leicester 1-1 Tottenham
A hour gone at the King Power Stadium and the scores are still level. James Maddison sends a free kick into the Tottenham box and the clearance comes out to Youri Tielemans. He shoots from just outside the and sends the effort over the crossbar.
Half-time: Brentford 0 - 0 Man Utd
45+2 mins: The game coasts into the break with the match still goalless. For all of United’s star power they haven’t been able to create a proper chances in front of goal. Brentford have had at least two great ones. David De Gea stood up yet again to come to United’s rescue and keep them in the game.
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