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 20:17 · Michael Jones]

Brentford 0 - 0 Man Utd

15 mins: Pressure. Lots of pressure on the Man Utd backline as Brentford win consecutive corners and target the goal, Christian Norgaard has a shot deflected achingly wide of the near post before the second corner is worked behind for a goal kick. Once again Man Utd look all at seas when they’re asked to defend deep.

[19 January 2022 20:14 · Michael Jones]

Brentford 0 - 0 Man Utd

12 mins: Save! Brentford should be one up! They win the ball high up the pitch and Bryan Mbeumo drives to the box. He’s tackled but the attack keeps going as Vitaly Janelt squares it across to Mathias Jensen. He fires a shot towards the near post but David De Gea sticks out a leg and keeps it out!

[19 January 2022 20:10 · Michael Jones]

Leicester 1-1 Tottenham ⚽️

38 mins: Harry Kane has equalised for Tottenham! He manages to time his run into the box to perfection and stays onside as the ball gets played to him. He carries it into the area, weaves inside of Caglar Soyuncu and guides it into the back of the net off the far post. Good finish from the Spurs striker.

[19 January 2022 20:10 · Michael Jones]

Brentford 0 - 0 Man Utd

9 mins: Chance! Diogo Dalot floats a diagonal ball into the box as Anthony Elanga sneaks in behind. He heads it across the six-yard box and almost picks out Cristiano Ronaldo but the ball drops over his head. Jonas Lossl comes to claim it but collides with one of his own defenders and drops the ball. Luckily for Brentford Sergi Canos beats Ronaldo to the loose ball and boots it out of play.

[19 January 2022 20:07 · Michael Jones]

Brentford 0 - 0 Man Utd

6 mins: Scott McTominay receives the ball in midfield and flicks it up to Bruno Fernandes. Cristiano Ronaldo makes a run off the shoulder of Pontus Jansson and Fernandes attempts to thread the ball into the box. The Brentford captain turns back towards his own goal, matches Ronaldo’s run and intercepts the pass before the striker can take control of the ball in the box.

[19 January 2022 20:04 · Michael Jones]

Brentford 0 - 0 Man Utd

3 mins: Anthony Elanga handles the ball in his own half and awards Brentford a free kick about 30-yards out from goal. Jensen floats the set piece over to the right side of the box where Ethan Pinnock wins the header and knocks it into the middle of the penalty area. Brentford have men in the box but the visitors manage to get the ball clear.

[19 January 2022 20:02 · Michael Jones]

Brentford 0 - 0 Man Utd

Kick off: Manchester United get the game started. It’s passed back to Alex Telles whose ball down the left wing is sent straight out of play. Brentford put the throw in into the box it gets flicked on. Diogo Dalot tries to run it clear but Bryan Mbeumo wins the ball back and cuts it back to the edge of the box for Mathias Jensen. He snatches at a shot and pulls it wide of the goal!

[19 January 2022 19:57 · Michael Jones]

Brentford vs Man Utd

Just as Leicester have taken the lead against Tottenhem the teams make their way out ontothe pitch at the Brentford Community Stadium. Kick off for this one is coming up next...

[19 January 2022 19:56 · Michael Jones]

Leicester 1-0 Tottenham⚽️

23 mins: Leicester have the lead! Where has this come from. Spurs have been dominating but Patson Daka steers home to give the home side the advantage at the King Power Stadium.

[19 January 2022 19:52 · Michael Jones]

Leicester 0-0 Tottenham

Spurs are taking control of the game at the King Power Stadium. They’re putting serious pressure of the Leicester defence and have won a few consective corners. The best chance came from a Harry Winks delivery that Harry Kane met inside the box with a solid header. He should score in all honesty but whacks his effort right into the crossbar!