Manchester United became the first club in the Premier League’s history to win 300 away games in Wednesday evening’s contest at the Brentford Community Stadium.
All three goals were netted by academy graduates in Anthony Elanga, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford, but it wasn’t so simple early doors for Ralf Rangnick and his men.
First half – Buzzing Bees
The Reds struggled early on, with David De Gea called into action with two instinctive saves using his boot, as Mathias Jensen was made to rue his early missed opportunities.
Jensen’s fellow Dane, Mads Bech Sorensen also went close, as his goal-bound effort was deflected wide by Alex Telles.
Christian Norgaard’s half-volleyed shot flew over the top of the crossbar in a period where Brentford had United on the ropes.
United failed to conjure up a handful of chances in the first-half, with Diogo Dalot’s sliced effort the closest the Reds got to finding the Brentford goal.
Both sides went into the break level, with Thomas Frank most definitely the happier of the two managers after their side’s performances.
Second half – Academy graduates sting Brentford
However, the Reds started the second 45 much brighter, with Cristiano Ronaldo’s looping header hitting the top of the crossbar.
United though, found the breakthrough on 55 minutes, with Anthony Elanga getting his second Premier League goal. Fred played a wonderful, clipped ball into the box, which the young Swede had met, before heading the ball past Brentford goalkeeper Jonas Lossl.
Fred’s contribution meant the Brazilian has now recorded three assists in his previous three games, with the other two coming in both meetings against Aston Villa in the past-week.
Just after the hour-mark, Mason Greenwood finished off a lovely team goal, starting with Scott McTominay winning the ball back deep inside the Manchester United half. The Scot’s pass was chested beautifully by Cristiano Ronaldo into the path of Bruno Fernandes, who unselfishly squared the ball to Greenwood, slotting home his 35th goal in the famous Red shirt.
Substitute Marcus Rashford fired home a third on 77 minutes after being teed up by Fernandes.
The show looked to have been wrapped up at this point, but for a scrappy Ivan Toney goal, coming from a hurled, long-throw from Mads Bech Sorensen. The goal didn’t change anything in the grand scheme of things but means Manchester United have now only kept four clean sheets in their last 21 games.
