Ralf Rangnick stood by his decision to substitute Cristiano Ronaldo despite the striker’s angry reaction during Manchester United’s 3-1 win at Brentford.
Goals from Anthony Elanga, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford boosted Manchester United’s top-four ambitions.
But the spotlight was once again on Ronaldo, who was far from impressed when his number came up with 20 minutes left.
The striker trudged off slowly before hurling his coat to the floor as he sat down muttering ‘why?’.
“He was asking ‘why me’?. But I told him I take the decisions in the interest of the team," said United interim boss Rangnick.
“We were 2-0 up at Aston Villa last week with 15 minutes to play and we didn’t want to make the same mistake, so I decided to switch to a back five.
“Cristiano was not happy, he is a goalscorer. But for us it was more important to be compact and defend their set-pieces.
“I said to him I know you are still ambitious and you want to score, but maybe in a couple of years when you are a head coach you will make me the same decision.
“I didn’t expect him to hug me after being substituted but I take my decisions in the interest of the team and the club. I have never had any issue with Cristiano.”
Brentford v Man United ratings
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BRENTFORD RATINGS: Jonas Lossl - 5: Loan signing making his debut was almost caught out by long-range Dalot strike after 25 minutes. Beaten by Ronaldo header just after break but watched ball clip bar. Slow to come out for Elanga goal and unconvincing save from McTomonay shot minutes later. No chance with other goals. PA -
Ethan Pinnock - 6: Impressive first half and coped comfortably with what little United threw at him. Even when he swung and missed at a clearance it went safely out for a goal kick. Much less convincing after the break as Brentford's defence was ripped open three times. Careless ball out from defence led to United’s second. PA -
Pontus Jansson - 7: Captain read attempted through-ball for Ronaldo superbly after only five minutes. Looked like he might be trouble after a clash of heads with Fred but carried on after treatment. Must be wondering how his team managed to lose in the fashion they did as he played well. Getty -
Mads Bech Sorensen - 6: Had shot on the spin narrowly deflected into side netting as Brentford piled on early pressure. Desperate sliding challenge too late to stop Rashford scoring third. Wound-up for numerous long throws into United’s box that didn’t really come off until five minutes from time when one led to Toney’s goal. Reuters -
Mads Roerslev - 6: On the right-hand side of a very well drilled Bees back five that looked solid in first half, but was left for dead by Elanga’s fine control ahead of United’s opener. Poor first touch and woeful finish with 15 minutes to go. Getty -
Mathias Jensen - 5: Could have had first-half hat-trick. Scuffed shot wide of target from edge of box in opening couple of minutes, then had two shots saved by De Gea - both of which the Dane should have scored. Drilled another shot straight at keeper after half-time. AP -
Christian Norgaard - 6: Teed-up great chance for Jensen. Side-footed first-time shot over bar as Bees peppered United goal in opening 20 minutes. Dodgy backpass at start of second half almost put Ronaldo through and couldn’t keep up with Fernandes as Portuguese set up second United goal. PA -
Vitaly Janelt - 6: Denied opening goal when fierce low shot was deflected wide of target and failed to connect with chance from edge of area on the hour that he miss-kicked. Getty -
Sergi Canos - 7: Spaniard put in a shift up and down the left flank and was impressive defensively and offensively in first half. Influence waned after break but substitution felt harsh. PA -
Ivan Toney - 7: Nice lay-off to supply one of Jensen’s many first-half attempts and had shot saved by De Gea himself, although flag had gone up for offside. Had shot blocked that would have dragged Brentford back to 2-1 and then did bundle home finish for late consolation. Reuters -
Bryan Mbeumo - 7: Powerful striker with dangerous change of pace was constant threat for Brentford in the opening 45 minutes. Less so after break as United’s attacking machine kicked into gear. AP -
SUBS: Rico Henry – (On for Canos 64’) 5: Thrown on to try and get side back into game after United went two up but the damage had been done. Getty -
SUB: Shandon Baptiste – (On for Janelt 64) 5: Set-up chance for Toney soon after coming on but sloppy pass would lead to United’s third goal Getty -
SUB: Yoane Wissa – (On for Jensen 67’) 5: Little impact but match had slipped out of Brentford’s grasp before his arrival. Getty -
MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea - 9: Excellent reflex save after 12 minutes and another save with his feet from a 32nd minute counter attack. Kept the score at 0-0 at half time when he was his side’s best player yet again. Brentford’s 85th minute goal was a pinball that he could do little about. Getty -
Diogo Dalot - 8: Hit a 24th-minute shot well - and just wide. Did well against Toney. Fast, aggressive and competent in the air. Passed to Fred who set up the first. Getty -
Victor Lindelof - 7: Up against it a highly motivated, well drilled side who created numerous chances. Got a foot to prevent a 58th minute Brentford attack and fine in the air. Reuters -
Raphael Varane - 7: Smart block from United’s best defender in the first half. Less of a focus on him and De Gea in the second as attention shifted to the players in front of him. But he’s a class act. Getty -
Alex Telles - 7: Tough against a disciplined Brentford side, but got stuck in and his free-kicks are impressive. Getty -
Fred - 6: Poor clearance helped set-up one of Brentford’s early chances. Trusted by his manager but still loses the ball too often. Not afraid to push forward. Hit in the head from behind by Jensen. Super ball for Elanga to set up United’s first. AP -
Scott McTominay - 8: Pushed forward but not as effective as hoped in first half. Much better in the second. Strong shot just before hour-mark and started the move which led to United’s second as he picked out Ronaldo’s chest. Also involved in the third, winning the ball just inside his half and breaking forward. Came off injured late on. Reuters -
Mason Greenwood - 6: Like the other forwards he had almost no impact in the first half. Doubled United’s lead with his first goal since October. PA -
Bruno Fernandes - 7: Blocked a 13th-minute Brentford shot. Looked frustrated in first half but came to life in second, playing much further forward. Unselfish to set up Greenwood for United’s second after a surging run. Provided the third too, another perfectly weighted pass, this time for Rashford. Should have scored in inury time. AP -
Anthony Elanga - 7: Headed towards goal in opening 10 minutes. Moved well and was up for Brentford’s physical challenges. Took the opening goal perfectly – United’s first goal against the Bees since 1946. AP -
Cristiano Ronaldo - 6: Quiet in the first half and hardly received the ball, but aimed a header onto the crossbar just after break. Beautiful chest pass to Fernandes who set up United’s second. Fuming when he came off with 20 minutes left. Reuters -
SUBS: Harry Maguire – (On for Ronaldo 71’) 6: Trying to work his way back into the side – and into form that has been lacking. Did OK. Getty -
Marcus Rashford – (On for Greenwood 71’) 7: Cool finish after a well-timed run for the third – and how he needed a goal. All three goals were scored by United academy graduates. PA Nemanja Matic – (On for McTominay 84’) N/A.
Teenage winger Elanga, starting only his fourth Premier League match, broke the deadlock early in the second half after Brentford had spurned a host of chances to take the lead.
England forward Greenwood then notched his first Premier League goal since October and Rashford climbed off the bench to add the third and secure United’s first win of 2022.
It was a bitter blow for Brentford, who had bossed the first league meeting between these sides since 1946 – Mathias Jensen alone could have had a first-half hat-trick were it not for David De Gea’s legs – but only had Ivan Toney’s late consolation to show for it.
“I think we have to be honest, without David and his brilliant saves it would have been difficult to be level at half-time,” added Rangnick, “The first half was not good.
“We have to admit there was an opposition on the pitch who were aggressive, brave and pressed us high. The second half we did a lot better.
“In the end we could have scored four or five, but we couldn’t have complained if we had been 2-0 down at the end of the first half.”
Brentford have now lost five of their last six matches but boss Thomas Frank could not fault his side.
“I know goals change the momentum of games but if you look at the overall performance over 90 minutes there was only one winner, and that was us,” he said.
“I’m unbelievably proud of the team and the players and the way we absolutely destroyed Manchester United in the first half. We had six chances. They had zero.
“It’s a miracle they were not 2-0 down at half-time. My boys always keep running and fighting and they did that until the end.”
