United beat Brentford, as Marcus Rashford and two other Old Trafford’s academy graduates scored the 3 goals
By Kehinde Okeowo
After a torrid opening 45 minutes, Man United emphatically turned the match on its head as the Red Devils produced a prolific second half to down Brentford 3-1.
Ralf Rangnick’s side recovered after being rescued by the heroics of goalkeeper David de Gea to run out comfortable winners at Brentford Community Stadium.
Three incredible saves from David de Gea in the first half earmarked a terribly worrying opening half, with Man United consistently carved to shreds by Brentford counter-attacks.
A pair of enormous chances off the foot of Matias Jensen left Brentford rueing what could have been a 2-0 lead, but instead were denied by the Spanish goalkeeping talent.
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It was a different story after the break as United, no doubt fired up by Rangnick’s half time talk, produced a contrasting second half to punish Brentford for their poor marksmanship.
Man United opened the scoring when teenager Anthony Elanga headed his first goal of the season from Fred’s pass 10 minutes after the break.
The away side then doubled their advantage when Cristiano Ronaldo’s superb chest pass helped Bruno Fernandes set up an assist for Mason Greenwood in the 62nd minute.
Ronaldo produced a ridiculous show of petulance with a slow stroll off and a burst of anger on the bench after he was substituted with 20 minutes left but Rangnick calmed him down.
Marcus Rashford however, justified his inclusion with a goal in the 77th minute, which put the game comfortably out of sight of the home side, and thankfully so, as Brentford found a late consolation from Ivan Toney.
Despite that, a second half filled with relief will – for the moment, at least – quiet any serious complaints that United fans were shouting from the rooftops just 45 minutes earlier when their team were on the ropes.
