Cristiano Ronaldo tantrum overshadows Manchester United clicking back into gear

• Brentford waste chances against poor United in first half

• But Ralf Rangnick's men much improved with three second-half goals

Once again, it was all about Cristiano Ronaldo. Unfortunately for Manchester United that meant it was about his petulant reaction at being substituted rather than what he had done on the pitch, even if he wonderfully helped engineer their second goal. The story from this encounter should have been about 19-year-old Anthony Elanga, who is emerging as a fresh new hope and deftly scored his first senior goal as he led United towards a desperately needed victory when it seemed they were destined for defeat.

Instead, Ronaldo grabbed the attention after he walked off slowly with his side 2-0 up, as he muttered under his breath and at first rejected the tracksuit top offered to him. What kind of example is that to set to the young United players, players like Elanga, players he should be tutoring and leading?

It was certainly not the reaction of a team player and, as United scored their third goal, interim manager Ralf Rangnick even felt moved to go over and whisper in his ear. Ronaldo was sitting on a step.

Hopefully it was the naughty step because his behaviour looked silly. “Why did he take me off?” Ronaldo was seen to complain. Rangnick addressed it afterwards. “Cristiano was not happy,” he said. “He was asking me ‘why me’ and I said, ‘Listen, I have to take the decision in the interest of the team and the club’. He is still ambitious, but I said to him, ‘Maybe in a couple of years when you are a head coach you will take the same decision’.”

Rangnick’s thinking, with Ronaldo replaced by Harry Maguire, was rightly influenced by United surrendering a 2-0 lead against Aston Villa last weekend. “We had to defend the lead this time, and it was important that we went back to a back five,” he argued, reasonably, before adding there were no “issues” between him and Ronaldo.

In the end, it was a convincing scoreline for United, even if it hugely flattered them. They remain in seventh but have closed the gap to fourth-placed West Ham United to just two points with a game in hand. The race for the top four is hotting up. But their best player?

It was undoubtedly goalkeeper David de Gea while Brentford will ponder on all their missed opportunities before United scored.

“They are unbelievably lucky,” Thomas Frank, the Brentford head coach, said, and that was not sour grapes. “Our intensity killed them…we destroyed them in the first-half, they didn’t have a sniff, three huge chances and there could only have been one winner of this game.”

It was no exaggeration to claim Brentford should have been three goals up, with midfielder Mathias Jensen the main source of their maddening profligacy. Instead, they found themselves three goals down after 77 minutes, with all three claimed by United academy products as Mason Greenwood and substitute Marcus Rashford also scored.

As ever, Brentford burst out of the blocks. United were slow, sluggish. They were out-fought and over-run. Not once, but twice, Jensen found himself with only De Gea to beat, but both times he shot unconvincingly to the goalkeeper’s left and the Spaniard instinctively stuck out a boot to deflect the ball away.

In midfield, Scott McTominay and Fred struggled as Brentford, led by Christian Norgaard, swarmed around them. It did not help United that, apart from Elanga, their forward players made little attempt to press, and it seemed only a matter of time before Brentford scored. But they wasted more chances: Mads Bech Sorensen slammed the ball into the side netting, Ivan Toney snatched at a shot and it was deflected narrowly wide, and Jensen scuffed it when teed up.

Ronaldo complained to referee Andre Marriner as he walked off at half-time. He should have kept it for the dressing room. It certainly looked like Rangnick had issued a few home truths because United were vastly improved after that, with Ronaldo’s looping header coming back off the crossbar before Jensen – yet again – failed to open the scoring as he shot weakly at De Gea.

Brentford paid the price after a finely executed move that was out of keeping with what had gone before as Fred collected possession and perceptively chipped the ball into the area with Elanga stealing in, ahead of Mads Roerslev. His first touch flicked it up into the air, catching out goalkeeper Jonas Lossl, and he headed it into the net.

Suddenly the dynamic shifted and United struck again with another fluent attack as Ronaldo superbly chested McTominay’s pass into Fernandes path and he surged through from deep to roll a pass to Greenwood, who easily side-footed home. Game over?

It suddenly felt like it, and substitute Rashford added a third. McTominay, by now the game’s dominant midfielder, won possession and fed Fernandes, who slid the ball through to the forward. Rashford struck it high past Lossl, and it certainly was not the finish of a player who has been devoid of confidence. But Brentford never gave up and Toney hammered a late shot past De Gea. For them, though, it was too late.

09:57 PM

Updated Premier League table: top eight

Manchester United stay seventh but pick up a few useful points in their quest for the top four.

09:54 PM

FULL TIME: Brentford 1 Man Utd 3

Brentford can feel a bit hard done by there, can't they? A little. Didn't take their chances in the first half and then Ralf Rangnick's men punished them with a much better second-half performance.

09:53 PM

90+3 mins - Brentford 1 Man Utd 3

Should have been 4-1. Fernandes is through, 15 yards out, opts to try and chip it over what he hopes is a diving keeper... but the Lossl does not dive and just stands up to catch it.

09:52 PM

90+2 mins - Brentford 1 Man Utd 3

Dalot - who has had a fine game - clears after Baptiste loses the ball on the edge of the box. United much better all across the pitch in this half.

Dalot in fact scoops the man of the match award for his performance.

09:49 PM

90 mins - Brentford 1 Man Utd 3

Four minutes of added time for Brentford to find two goals.

09:48 PM

89 mins - Brentford 1 Man Utd 3

It's swung out towards Pinnock... he gets a head on it. It's not an especially rapid cross and neither is the header. Direction is good but it's in the air an awful long time and it is never going to trouble De Gea, who collects it easily. Danger averted.

09:47 PM

87 mins - Brentford 1 Man Utd 3

McTominay did come off for Matic before that goal. Brentford win a corner via Diogo Dalot...

Jansson and Pinnock up there.

09:45 PM

GOAAAAAL! Brentford 1 Man Utd 3

Another long throw in from the right flank. It's a bit of a goalmouth scramble, pinball in the six-yard box. Pinnock sends one in, it's deflected off another Brentford forward and Toney stabs it in from close range.

You'd say they deserve at least a goal, but, a goal and no points is barely much better than no goals and no points.

They could get another one or two still... just about.

09:43 PM

83 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 3

Hmmm. McTominay has gone down again... he will have to come off now. Matic is getting stripped off and will surely replace him.

09:40 PM

80 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 3

Brentford making a bit of headway now, but it's too little to late. Scott McTominay has gone down, not sure why. Looks winded or something similar.

09:38 PM

78 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 3

Story of the game: Brentford did not take their chances in the first half. Manchester United have taken theirs in the second. Fernandes much more influential in the second half than the first, when the visitors were truly dreadful. All sorts of trouble at the back.

09:37 PM

GOAAAL! Brentford 0 Man Utd 3

Another counter attack and this time it's Marcus Rashford for his first goal in 11 games. Well taken and Bruno Fernandes with the assist again. That is the game. Harsh on Brentford but they have conceded three goals this half. That doesn't happen by accident.

McTominay bursts through, Fernandes jinks his way towards the penalty area before a deft pass finds Rashford on the right. It's a cool and clinical finish that goes into the top of the net to all but claim the three points.

09:34 PM

70 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 2

A few lingering camera shots of Cristiano Ronaldo, presumably to suggest that he is not happy being substituted. Maybe, but he's just generally talking and gesticulating. Doesn't look immensely perturbed by it.

09:30 PM

70 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 2

Mason Greenwood replaced by Marcus Rashford and Ronaldo comes off with Harry Maguire coming on in his place.

09:29 PM

68 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 2

Looks like a couple of changes for the visitors too... or there will be when play stops again.

You feel for Brentford here, don't really deserve to be 2-0 down. Could have been 2-0 up at half-time had they taken their chances.

09:26 PM

65 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 2

A double change for Brentford. Janelt off for Baptiste and Canos off for Henry.

09:21 PM

GOAAAAAL! Brentford 0 Man Utd 2

Mason Greenwood with a tap in to end a brutal and ruthless counter attack!

McTominay sends a ball over the top to Ronaldo, whose chest pass is inch-perfect to Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese breaks on the left flank, could shoot himself but takes the better option in squaring to Greenwood who is just onside and it's the easiest finish the young man is likely to have.

09:19 PM

59 mins - Brentford O Man Utd 1

The excellent Jensen is on the right, he passes to Roerslev, Lindelof gets a foot in there... it falls to Janelt, whose shot from the edge of the box is poor, going straight into the ground and looping impotently away from goal.

09:17 PM

56 mins - Brentford O Man Utd 1

McTominay with the shot. United looking much more lively here in the second half.

09:14 PM

GOAL! Anthony Elanga scores for United

His first Premier League goal of the season has United in front, and boy how they needed that. Fred clips a diagonal to the back post and Elanga flicks the ball up with his first touch before heading over the goalkeeper with his second. Lovely finish.

09:11 PM

52 minutes - Brentford O Man Utd 0

United have done more in these first seven minutes than they did in the first 45 minutes. Still a hint of frustration from Fernandes with a few words aimed at Ronaldo. Dalot defends gamely at the back post up against Toney and the ball falls for De Gea.

09:07 PM

47 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

United try what they think is a smart short corner routine but it's not. United keep the ball anyway, Fernandes sends in alooping cross at the back post, Ronaldo cushions a header and it's tipped over for a corner off the bar.

Brentford break immediately and De Gea denies Jensen again. Straight at him from about 15 yards out on the right, but should have done better. Brentford went too easily through the visitors' defence AND midfield there.

09:05 PM

SECOND HALF: KICK OFF

We're back underway. Can Manchester United improve after that dreadful half? Can Brentford make more of their chances?

08:49 PM

HALF TIME: Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

A sniff of a chance with a late free kick from 30-odd yards out. Ronaldo takes but... yep, it comes to nothing.

08:49 PM

44 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

The visitors have a corner late in the half after Janelt heads a cross behind. Elanga lively in that last move. Telles with the corner. It's cleared but United go again... only for it to end up with a Brentford goal kick.

08:44 PM

43 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

That is, if they do go in level...

08:42 PM

41 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

It's another long throw from Sorensen. Only goes so far as Mason Greenwood who heads away. Man Utd will be happy – and fortunate – to go in level.

08:41 PM

39 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

Alex Telles lands awkwardly and he's writhing around on the ground, thumping the turf. He was upended challenging for a ball in the air. He's still there. Might not be serious – but might also be extremely painful. Has probably been his side's best player.

08:39 PM

37 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

United do not look like a good side tonight. Same story as it has been all season. Bad at the back, an occasional threat going forward but Brentford have been more than up to it.

08:36 PM

33 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

More danger at the back for United. Another shot from distance, looping high, De Gea doesn't claim it and it falls again to Toney who shoots at the keeper, but hard. He was offside, though. A bit of a mess.

08:34 PM

31 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

Brentford break on the counter, quickly. They tear through United. Toney puts Jensen through, who shoots low from close range... De Gea sticks out his left foot and saves before Toney has his follow-up shot deflected just wide. Brentford corner.

Could be a couple up here, Brentford.

08:31 PM

29 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

A little bit of pressure for United to withstand, but Fernandes releases Telles on the counter attack and he wins a free kick after a foul by Canos. Same position as earlier. Think Telles will take this one as well.

08:27 PM

27 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

Ronaldo and Fernandes have been quiet this game, but Ralf Rangnick's men are getting a bit more control of the game now as we approach the half-hour mark. Two-thirds of possession in the last little passage of play.

08:26 PM

25 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

This has been an entertaining game. United have been involved in plenty of them of late. Not always with the quality to win.

Dalot with a shot from distance. Curls it with the outside of his boot but just curves over the top-right corner. Good hit.

08:24 PM

22 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

A bit of a stoppage here as Jansson has gone into the back of Fred's head... with his own head. Competing for a loose ball on the right wing and both players go down. Not sure who is worse off, probably Fred.

Both players now back on their feet and look ok.

08:19 PM

18 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

Alex Telles sends the free kick in with his left foot but Brentford clear. Telles then has to mop up back in his own half after Brentford break.

08:18 PM

16 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

Ronaldo fouled by Roerslev on the left wing, level with the box. Dangerous position for a free kick, potentially.

08:15 PM

13 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

De Gea has to make an excellent save to deny Brentford. Down low to his right and De Gea to keep it at 0-0. It goes out for a corner... and then another. Brentford nearly score again with Sorensen... three corners in a row now.

Then Norgaard has a shot from close range! Can't quite get over it...

United lucky to be level here.

08:11 PM

10 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

In summary - four minutes of all Brentford and then four minutes of all Man Utd. I say that but overall United have had 70 per cent possession so far. So what do I know?

08:10 PM

8 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

A bit of a mix-up at the back for Brentford after they had previously defended the corner well. Elanga headed the ball across goal but keeper and defender got in each others' way and it's another corner to the visitors. Better.

08:06 PM

5 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

A bit better from United. Fernandes is nearly in on the edge of the box but Jansson defends well to reclaim possession.

08:05 PM

4 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

Brentford with a free kick from about 40 yards out. Doesn't come to anything but Brentford have had all the ball so far. United with barely a kick until now... Mason Greenwood releases Ronaldo on the right... he slots in Dalot, who takes cross but it's overhit and out for a goal kick.

08:03 PM

2 mins - Brentford 0 Man Utd 0

A decent start for Brentford. Jansson has a shot from 20 yards out but it's along the ground and wide. United with some early defending.

08:01 PM

Kick off!

Brentford in their usual colours. Man Utd in a blue and yellow fancy kit.

07:57 PM

Here we go

Just moments before Brentford take on Manchester United for the first time in... a very long time indeed.

07:48 PM

Thomas Frank speaks to BT Sport

I think you guys know we take every game as it comes, but of course I'm aware, Man United is one of the biggest clubs in the world. I expect our fans to be absolutely on it. Man United are of course huge favourites but we'll do everything we can to create another magic moment in Brentford's history.

07:42 PM

Thomas Frank says Christian Eriksen link is sign of Brentford's progress

Eriksen has not played since his collapse at last summer's European Championship and Frank worked with him in the Denmark youth ranks. Read more here.

07:27 PM

Ralf Rangnick on his team selection this evening

Since Edinson had to drop out after training yesterday. He had some muscular problems. For me it was logical and I am happy to have Cristiano back in the team. Scottie [McTominay] was out because he was suspended from the Villa game and I decided to play him from the start.

07:26 PM

Jadon Sancho has lost confidence at Manchester United – Ralf Rangnick must find a way to restore it

A good in-depth read here in Jadon Sancho's troubled start at Manchester United. James Ducker takes a look at a torrid first six months for the winger whilst Dan Zeqiri breaks down the reasons why United have failed to get the best out of their £73m man. He's not playing tonight for personal reasons.

07:16 PM

Manchester United reject Jesse Lingard loan bid

James Ducker has the latest on Jesse Lingard's situation at Manchester United here, as well as news about Ed Woodward's final salary at the club. Read it here.

07:06 PM

The home team for tonight: Brentford

🚨 𝙏𝙀𝘼𝙈 𝙉𝙀𝙒𝙎 🚨

🆕 A #PL debut for @JonasLoessl
➡ Bech, Jensen, and @sergicanos all start

Teams presented by @BlueJeansNet #BrentfordFC #BREMUN pic.twitter.com/EzFcWRe9su

— Brentford FC (@BrentfordFC) January 19, 2022

07:05 PM

Manchester United's team for tonight

Starting XI: De Gea, Lindelof, Varane, Telles, Dalot, Fred, Elanga, McTominay, Fernandes, Ronaldo, Greenwood

Subs: Heaton, Henderson, Jones, Maguire, Mata, Matic, Van de Beek, Martial, Rashford

06:10 PM

Good evening

And welcome to our live coverage for Brentford vs Manchester United at the Brentford Community Stadium. I guess you could justifiably describe this rescheduled fixture as a mid-table clash, if you divide the league into the top six, middle eight and bottom six, with Man Utd in seventh and Brentford in 14th. In any case, there are nine points separating the two teams, though Brentford have taken just three points in their previous five matches. United have taken eight.

Fair to say that the Ralf Rangnick revolution (again, if you want to call it that) has not really brought about instant results and noticeably better performances. The death spiral that they entered with their last manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been averted, but when you survey the general area you are still left with a complete mess without much direction. In short: the club are miles away from where they should be and even further away from where they want to be. A top-four finish is possible, but hard to see, really.

Despite the relatively poor form, Brentford are doing a more-than-passable job as a decent Premier League side in their first season in the division. They are 10 full points and seven places above the relegation zone. It's not impossible, but at the moment they are not in danger of getting sucked into that relegation battle. Thomas Frank's side have even been linked with a returning Christian Eriksen, something that the Danish manager says shows how far the club have come since their prolonged stay in the third tier.

What to expect from tonight's game, then? Well, for all the (relative) chaos at United, plenty of the matches they have played in since Rangnick joined have been entertaining. Let's hope for the same this evening.

Match gets going at 8pm GMT and we will be here for all of it. Team news will be incoming shortly.