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Brentford have to turn the page as they face Wolves on Saturday at home in a bid to end a three-game losing streak. United are also in action on Saturday in the Premier League at home to West Ham in a crucial game in the battle for a Champions League place.
Manchested United display a clinical edge to defeat Brentford 3-1 in their Premier League clash at Brentford Community Stadium. The home side were guilty of missing great chances in the first half and paid the price in the second period as the Red Devils found their form in front of goal. Anthony Elanga opened the scoring with a composed touch and header before Mason Greenwood converted following a swift break. Marcus Rashford arrived off the bench to secure three points and end his 11-game goal drought. Ivan Toney notched a late consolation for the Bees, who were made to rue their missed opportunities.
90' + 4' FULL-TIME: BRENTFORD 1-3 MANCHESTER UNITED
90' + 3' CHANCE! Fernandes should add a fourth for United as Fred plays him behind the Brentford defence, but he goes for a chip over Lossl and clips a tame effort straight into the hands of the keeper.
90' + 2' Rashford takes a neat touch to break away from Henry, but he just overhits his throughball for Fernandes into the path of Lossl.
90' + 1' Sorensen launches another long throw into the United box, but on this occasion Matic positions himself to head clear.
90' There will be four minutes of added time.
88' Pinnock rises highest in the box from a corner from Mbeumo, only to loop his header into the hands of De Gea.
C. Nørgaard
Assist
85' Norgaard steers the ball into the path of Toney in the six-yard box, allowing the forward to fire home.
I. Toney
Goal
85' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!! TONEY GETS ONE BACK FOR THE BEES!!!!! 3-1!!!! The home side have at least something to show for their efforts as Toney bundles home a close-range strike. Sorensen sends a throw-in long into the box that Pinnock heads on. The ball pinballs around the box and is eventually steered towards Toney by Norgaard after being cleared off the line. The forward makes no mistake dispatching his effort into the net.
N. Matić
S. McTominay
84' Matic replaces the injured McTominay for the closing stages of the game.
83' McTominay is going to have to leave the field for the visitors after going down once more.
82' Rashford scored his first United goal since 30 October, ending a drought of 11 matches in all competitions.
81' McTominay gets caught on the ankle in a challenge and requires treatment before the game can continue.
79' Brentford have been given a firm lesson in Premier League football tonight. The Bees have been so wasteful in front of goal, while the visitors have been clinical in the second half.
Bruno Fernandes
Assist
77' Fernandes breaks at the Brentford defence and plays a perfectly-weighted pass for Rashford to hammer past Lossl.
M. Rashford
Goal
77' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!! RASHFORD SURELY SECURES THE THREE POINTS!!!!!! 3-0 UNITED!!!!!! Rashford ends his drought in front of goal with a clinical finish into the top-right corner. United cut through the Brentford backline with ease as Fernandes spots the run of Rashford in the right-inside channel. Sorensen tries to get over late, but the forward buries a first-time strike past Lossl. Rashford needed that goal.
77' BLOCK AND OVER! Baptiste surges down the left flank and cuts the ball back for Toney to shoot, but the forward sees his effort blocked by Lindelof. Henry gathers the loose ball and feeds a cross to the back post that Rasmussen collects, but slices his effort over the bar.
76' United allowed one two-goal lead to slip in the final 15 minutes in their last outing. Rangnick will be looking for his team to get the job done tonight without conceding.
74' Maguire latches on to a free-kick from Telles in the right-inside channel, but his drive across the face of goal is blocked by Sorensen.
H. Maguire
Cristiano Ronaldo
71' Ronaldo is withdrawn from the action and does not look overly pleased with the decision. Maguire returns to the fold after a rib injury to replace the Portuguese.
M. Rashford
M. Greenwood
71' Greenwood makes way after finding the net for the Red Devils. It was not his best outing, but he got a valuable goal for the visitors. Rashford replaces the forward.
68' Brentford have paid the price for their lack of clinical edge and their defensive vulnerabilties have been exposed by the Red Devils in the second half.
Y. Wissa
M. Jensen
67' Jensen could have scored at least two goals today for the Bees and will regret his missed chances. Wissa replaces the midfielder.
65' Fred has been involved in four goals in his last seven Premier League games for United (1 goal, 3 assist), as many as he had in his first 86 appearances in the competition (3 goals, 1 assist).
S. Baptiste
V. Janelt
64' Janelt has been active in the middle of the park, but is now withdrawn and replaced by Baptiste.
R. Henry
Sergi Canós
64' Henry replaces Canos on the left flank for the home side.
Bruno Fernandes
Assist
62' Fernandes displays a great burst of pace to latch on to Ronaldo's header before teeing up Greenwood in the box for a simple finish.
M. Greenwood
Goal
62' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!! GREENWOOD CONVERTS ON A BREAK!!!!!! 2-0 UNITED!!!!! The visitors double their lead with a clinical counter, allowing Greenwood to tap home a cutback from Fernandes. The Portuguese latches on to a knockdown from Ronaldo and surges away from Norgaard. He lays the ball on a plate for Greenwood to send into an empty net after Lossl is forced to commit himself in the box.
62' Mbeumo tries to release the run of Toney in behind the United defence, but the forward just cannot take the offload in stride.
60' CHANCE! Jensen sends Rasmussen down the right flank and his cutback is directed towards Janelt by Varane. The midfielder has space and time to fire at goal, but he scuffs his left-footed strike into the ground and De Gea claims with ease.
58' SAVE! McTominay lines up an ambitious drive from distance that forces Lossl to get down quickly to his left to palm away from goal.
Fred
Assist
55' Fred opens up the Brentford defence with a sublime ball over the top for Elanga to chase and convert with his head.
A. Elanga
Goal
55' GOALLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!! ELANGA HEADS UNITED IN FRONT!!!!!! 1-0 UNITED!!!!!!! The visitors take the lead as Elanga controls a throughball from Fred before nodding his second touch past Lossl. Fred is afforded space and time on the edge of the Brentford box and he floats a fine ball over the top for the run of Elanga. He takes a touch away from Rasmussen and wrong-foots Lossl. Elanga holds his composure to plant his effort into the back of the net to notch his first Premier League goal of the season.
53' Toney rises with Dalot at the back post to connect with a cross from Rasmussen, but he cannot make clean contact with his attempt amid the presence of the defender, allowing De Gea to scoop up the ball.
51' Fernandes releases Greenwood down the left flank with a neat reverse pass, but his cross is diverted away from danger by Rasmussen covering back.
50' Fred releases Ronaldo behind the Brentford defence, but the Portuguese opts for a cutback rather than a strike, allowing Sorensen to clear behind for a corner.
48' CHANCE! Mbeumo and Jensen combine brilliantly on another Brentford counter that sees the former release the midfielder into the final third. Jensen lines up a strike, but drills his effort straight at De Gea. The Dane has had his chances tonight.
47' OFF THE BAR! Ronaldo rises to connect with a cross from Fernandes from the right flank. He nods his effort across the face of goal, but it loops over Lossl and off the bar before Canos clears behind.
46' BLOCK! United come out with a greater intensity from the off. Greenwood makes a good break into the final third to get his team on the move. Ronaldo latches on to an offload in the right-inside channel, but sees his effort blocked behind by Sorensen.
46' We're back under way in this Premier League clash.
United have not been able to find fluency in their play in the final third. Cristiano Ronaldo, Anthony Elanga and Mason Greenwood have not been able to combine, while Bruno Fernandes has been off the pace. It has been the same story for the Red Devils under the tenure of Rangnick. The German will be delighted if his team could dig out a scrappy point or three on the road here.
It's goalless at the break between Brentford and Manchester United in their Premier League clash. The Bees have had the best chances and should be ahead as Mathias Jensen has been twice denied by David de Gea. Christian Norgaard too missed a great opportunity, while Mads Sorensen saw his attempt deflected wide. United have been listless in their approach once more, which will concern Ralf Rangnick at the interval.
45' + 3' HALF-TIME: BRENTFORD 0-0 MANCHESTER UNITED
45' + 2' Fernandes clips a cross to Varane in the right-inside channel, but he heads straight into the hands of Lossl.
45' + 2' Jansson catches the legs of Ronaldo and hands United one last chance to send a free-kick into the box before the end of the half.
45' There will be two minutes of added time.
45' Elanga gets the better of Rasmussen down the left flank and fires a cross into the middle, but Janelt is well placed to clear the danger.
43' There's no direct route through for the Red Devils. Brentford have quelled the threat of Ronaldo, Elanga and Greenwood so far.
41' Telles is back on his feet and takes his place back in the United defence after they clear their lines from a Brentford throw-in.
40' Telles is down for the visitors after a collision with Rasmussen. He requires treatment before the game can continue.
39' Brentford are winning the 50/50 battles on the pitch at the moment. United have enjoyed the majority of the ball, but have been completely ineffectual.
37' Rangnick can not be happy with what he has seen from United in the first half. It has been more of the same from the Red Devils under the tenure of the German.
35' CHANCE! Janelt scuffs a strike at goal, but the Bees compete for the second ball with Jansson. De Gea misses his clearing punch, but the visitors are able to scramble the loose ball away. Toney is then played behind the United line and is denied by the United keeper, only for the offside flag to be raised.
33' Pinnock rises highest in the United box from the resulting corner, but he can only loop his effort straight into the hands of De Gea.
32' DE GEA TO THE RESCUE! Jensen misses his second great chance of the game as De Gea denies the midfielder. Brentford break on the counter from a United corner courtesy of fine ball from Janelt to Toney. The forward takes a good first touch and an even better second to release Jensen through on goal. However, the midfielder fires a tame effort at the United keeper, who makes the stop. Varane then deflects a follow-up strike from Janelt narrowly wide of the target.
31' Telles delivers a dangerous cross into the box that travels towards Ronaldo, but Toney gets back to clear over his own bar.
31' Telles turns down the left flank away from the challenge of Canos, but is caught late by the Brentford man. United are handed a free-kick in another useful position.
29' Greenwood cuts inside from the right flank and delivers a left-footed cross into the box. It travels over the head of Ronaldo and just runs away from Elanga, pursuing in behind.
27' United are beginning to edge possession, but the Red Devils have not been incisive in the final third. Ronaldo has been a spectator for the majority of the contest.
25' WIDE! Dalot pushes forward from the back and is afforded space and time to shoot from 25 yards. The Portuguese connects well with his effort, but it swerves away from goal at the last second to travel wide of the right post.
24' Both players are back on their feet allowing the game to resume.
23' Jansson and Fred are down on the left flank after a clash of heads when competing for a loose ball. Both players require treatment before the game can continue.
22' Toney grapples for the ball with Lindelof and draws a foul from the Sweden international. It could be an interesting battle to watch tonight.
20' Frank will be delighted with how his side have started the contest, but will be concerned by their lack of clinical edge in the final third. Brentford should be ahead.
18' BLOCK! Brentford clear a free-kick from Telles from the left flank, but Greenwood latches on to the loose ball. He fires towards the target on his left foot, but his effort is charged down by Canos.
17' Rasmussen catches Ronaldo on the ankle and hands United a free-kick in a useful position on the left flank.
15' NORGAARD HAS TO SCORE! The Dane collects a cutback from Jensen in the box and has the chance to shoot first time at goal, only to smash his left-footed effort over the bar. Norgaard had to hit the target there.
14' SCRAMBLE! Brentford pile men forward into the United box from the resulting corner. Jensen lifts a cross to the near post that the visitors fail to clear. Sorensen pounces on a loose ball, but sees his effort deflected inches wide of the left post.
13' WIDE! Brentford keep the pressure on and Janelt latches on to a loose ball on the edge of the box and tries to power an effort through a crowd of players, only to see his effort deflected wide of the left post.
12' CHANCE! Brentford open up the United defence as Norgaard slides a throughball for the midfielder to strike. He tries to place his effort in the bottom-right corner, but De Gea makes a fine stop with his boot.
10' Regarding Lossl - the keeper is the 7th different Danish player used by Brentford in the Premier League. Despite this only being their 22nd game in the competition, they have now used more different Danes than any other side in the competition's history.
9' Lossl has a nervy moment under pressure as he and Jansson both attempt to gather a header across the face of goal from Elanga. Canos reacts to the loose ball first to clear behind.
6' Jansson has to time his interception to perfection to prevent Ronaldo from breaking behind the Bees' defence from Fernandes' throughball.
5' United break on the counter down the right flank and Dalot floats a cross into the box. However, the Portuguese gets his delivery all wrong and it travels behind for a goal-kick.
4' Brentford win a free-kick in the United half that sees Jensen lift a cross to the back post. Pinnock rises to nod it across the face of goal, but the visitors clear the danger.
2' WIDE! Mbeumo wins the ball from Telles and surges down the left flank. He sends a low cross into the box that is deflected back to Jensen. The midfielder goes for the first-time strike, but fires narrowly wide of the left post.
1' We're under way in this Premier League clash.
This is the first league meeting between Brentford and Manchester United since April 1947, a goalless draw at Griffin Park in the top-flight.
Ronaldo returns from injury to spearhead the United attack this evening. The Portuguese come into the side in a like-for-like swap with Edinson Cavani, who misses out due to injury. McTominay also returns to action after serving a suspension as the Scot replaces Matic. Martial and Rashford are both available off the bench after overcoming knocks.
Brentford have made four changes to their side that was beaten by Liverpool last time out. Lossl ousts Fernandez between the sticks as Frank opts for a change after his side shipped seven goals over the last week. Ajer is withdrawn from the backline to the bench as Sorensen returns to the fold. Canos gets the nod ahead of Henry at left wing-back, while Baptiste is replaced in the middle of the park by Jensen.
MANCHESTER UNITED SUBS: Phil Jones, Harry Maguire, Juan Mata, Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford, Tom Heaton, Dean Henderson, Nemanja Matic, Donny van de Beek.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1): David de Gea; Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane, Alex Telles; Scott McTominay, Fred; Mason Greenwood, Anthony Elanga, Bruno Fernandes; Cristiano Ronaldo.
BRENTFORD (3-5-2): Jonas Lossl; Mads Sorensen, Pontus Jansson, Ethan Pinnock; Mads Rasmussen, Vitaly Janelt, Christian Norgaard, Mathias Jensen, Sergi Canos; Bryan Mbeumo, Ivan Toney.
Manchester United were in complete control against Aston Villa in their last outing, only to concede two late goals to drop two points on the road. Ralf Rangnick has still shown no signs of turning the standard of United's performances around, despite being handed two goals by Villa mistakes. The Red Devils are low on confidence and know that they cannot afford to lose further ground in their bid to qualify for the Champions League next term. A victory tonight is a must for Rangnick and his team.
Brentford enter the contest on a poor run of form in the Premier League, losing four out of their last five matches, including a run of back-to-back defeats against Southampton and Liverpool. The Bees are still 10 points clear of the relegation zone, but Thomas Frank will not want this spell to linger. They have been susceptible at the back, notably shipping four goals to the Saints and a further three to a Liverpool team without Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane. Frank will be demanding a response from his team tonight.
Good evening and welcome to the live commentary of the Premier League clash between Brentford and Manchester United at Brentford Community Stadium.
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