Manchester United are somehow doing well after picking up a much-needed win in their race for the Premier League top four on Wednesday night. Red Devils produced a much-improved second-half performance to beat Brentford 3-1 and get their hopes of a Champions League spot back on track after recent poor displays.
There was a big boost for United following the return of Cristiano Ronaldo, after missing the last two outings through injury. The Portuguese superstar was so emotional at being substituted, though, as his side strode to victory, with Anthony Elanga, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford scoring for United.
United players celebrate victory against Brentford.Photo courtesy: Getty Images
After sending off Brentford, the Rangnick side will now turn to a huge match against West Ham on Saturday; with plenty more transfer speculation before then. Anthony Martial was on the bench at Brentford after his public disagreement with the interim boss though his United future remains up in Old Trafford.
Anthony Elanga scored his first goal of the Premier League season against Brentford. It was another memorable night for the Sweden starlet in west London, with the recent two matches he featured in the starting squad, Elanga has totted up 168 minutes in the Premier League over that time – that is more than Donny van de Beek and Jesse Lingard combined throughout the entire season.
Ralf Rangnick insists he has no issues with Cristiano Ronaldo’s reaction to being substituted in Manchester United’s Premier League win at Brentford. Ronaldo is set to leave Old Trafford in the summer if the club does not qualify for the Champions League, according to a report in The Sun. It is claimed Ronaldo’s representatives held talks with Richard Arnold this week to warn him of the ultimatum for the end of the season.
It might have been a good night for United, but all was not so rosy for Cristiano Ronaldo. The Portuguese superstar was visibly annoyed when he was substituted by Ralf Rangnick with 20 minutes remaining, with United in cruise control at 2-0 by that point.
United players celebrate after scoring against Brentford. Photo courtesy: Getty Images
He threw down his coat in anger and could be seen asking the bench why his manager had brought him off, with Rangnick seen speaking to him shortly afterwards. And the interim boss gave his reasoning but Ronaldo was less than impressed to have been taken off. A superb battled second-half performance saw them ease to a 3-1 win in London, with Anthony Elanga’s goal sparking them into life before Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford wrapped up the three points.
Not only was it a massive result for United in the context of their season, but it was an important night for Ralf Rangnick, who managed to show just why United hired him in three moments at Brentford. The Portuguese superstar was visibly furious about being substituted in the 71st minute and took aim at interim manager Ralf Rangnick as he made for the bench.
It was not the first time his anger towards colleagues has been on show this season, as he could not hide his frustrations with Marcus Rashford during December’s 1-1 draw at Newcastle. There are also claims of an uneasy relationship between Ronaldo and teammate Mason Greenwood amid reports of wider problems behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
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