Manchester United vs Brentford LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Ronaldo goal seals win
Manchester United 3-0 Brentford: Follow the reaction from Old Trafford as Ralf Rangnick’s side cruised to victory
Follow live reaction as Manchester United wrapped up their home campaign with a comfortable victory and improved performance against Brentford in the Premier League at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes opened the scoring inside 10 minutes as he finished Anthony Elanga’s cross from the right, before Cristiano Ronaldo saw a second ruled out after Juan Mata was caught offside.
Ronaldo would not be denied a second time, however, as he won and then converted a second-half penalty to double United’s lead shortly after the hour with his 18th Premier League goal of the season.
Raphael Varane added a third late on as United cruised to victory and there were goodbyes for Mata and Nemanja Matic on what was their final appearances at Old Trafford.
The result moves United four points clear of West Ham in the fight for seventh place, although the Hammers have three games left to play compared to United’s two.
Follow all the action and updates as Manchester United face Brentford:
Man Utd vs Brentford
Not long to go now until kick off. Can Manchester United get back to winning ways or will Brentford perform another upset by beating them at Old Trafford?
Man Utd vs Brentford
Cristiano Ronaldo has scored eight of Manchester United’s last nine league goals, with seven of those eight strikes arriving at Old Trafford.
He has been involved in 24 goals in his last 18 Premier League games against newly promoted sides (18 goals and six assists).
The Bees are unbeaten in all six of the games Christian Eriksen has started with five wins and one draw. Eriksen has created 13 chances since joining the club, more than any other Brentford player in that period.
Man Utd vs Brentford
David de Gea has made 121 saves in the Premier League this season, one shy of his highest total in a single campaign (set in 2018-19).
Man Utd vs Brentford
Ivan Toney’s goals have been worth nine points to Brentford in the Premier League this season - prior to this weekend’s games, only Cristiano Ronaldo’s strikes have been more valuable to his side.
Ralf Rangnick’s Manchester United consultancy role is taking shape but lacks true definition
One of the final questions put to Ralf Rangnick during his unveiling back in December related to the nature of his future consultancy role. Would he be allowed to work in different jobs at other organisations over the two-year period?
“We haven’t spoken about that,” he replied. “The club told me that they would want to work with me, not only in the short term but also in at least the medium team. They also want to benefit from my experience and expertise. This would be a question you would have to ask to the board members.”
There was a good deal more clarity on that issue after word spread on Thursday evening of an offer to take charge of the Austrian national team, in the hours before Manchester United’s fortunate 1-1 draw with Chelsea at Old Trafford.
Ralf Rangnick’s consultancy role takes shape but lacks definition
Rangnick has been appointed Austria’s head coach but is still keen to play a role in United’s recruitment
Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United must face ‘consequences’ for poor displays
Rio Ferdinand believes a fear of failure and consequences needs instilling in the Manchester United dressing room if things are to turn around under incoming manager Erik ten Hag.
Having finished runners-up in last year’s Premier League and Europa League, the summer signings of Cristiano Ronaldo, Raphael Varane and Jadon Sancho only fuelled optimism around Old Trafford.
But hope only made for an ever harder fall for the 20-time league champions, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer departing in November and interim successor Ralf Rangnick failing to get a consistent tune out of the squad.
Rio Ferdinand believes Manchester United must face ‘consequences’ for poor displays
The Red Devils are almost certain to miss out on the top four this season
Man Utd vs Brentford
Brentford are vying to win three consecutive top-flight away fixtures for the first time in their history. The Bees are unbeaten in their last 12 league games played on a Monday with five wins and seven draws.
Man Utd vs Brentford
Brentford have won 16 top-flight points since the start of March through five wins, one draw and one loss. Their previous 16 points had been earned over 22 matches.
But, after keeping a clean sheet in two of their first three Premier League away fixtures, Brentford have conceded in each of their last 14 on the road. No side is on a longer run without an away clean sheet in the competition than the Bees.
Man Utd vs Brentford
Manchester United have won four of their last 16 matches in all competitions.
They are winless in each of their last four Premier League home fixtures played on a Monday (two draws, two defeats), including January’s 1-0 loss to Wolves, their only home league defeat under Ralf Rangnick.
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