Brentford 1-3 Man Utd: Player ratings as Red Devils win tale of two halves

Manchester United put a woeful first half behind them to blow Brentford away to the tune of a 3-1 victory on Wednesday evening.

Both sides began brightly but it was Brentford who had the game's first big chances. Mathias Jensen's low drive was turned behind by David de Gea, and Vitaly Janelt and Mads Bech Sorensen both saw good efforts deflected wide soon after.

Diogo Dalot had fans off their seats midway through the half as his strike from long range went towards goal, but the ball curled agonisingly wide of Jonas Lossl's goal.

United got more of a grip on the game as things progressed, but Brentford remained a real threat on the counter. A quick move saw Jensen through on goal, but De Gea was there once again to keep United in it.

For all United's possession, they didn't even manage a shot on target in the first 45 minutes, and they covered 4.5km less than Brentford as well.

Jensen had yet another chance on the counter just two minutes after the restart, but yet again, De Gea managed to stop the Dane.

Against the run of play, United took the lead through Anthony Elanga. The teenager latched on to a great pass from Fred and headed the ball past Lossl to give his side the lead ten minutes into the second half.

That goal gave United complete control of the game, and it was 2-0 just minutes later. Cristiano Ronaldo's excellent flick found Bruno Fernandes, who unselfishly squared to Mason Greenwood for an easy tap-in.

Marcus Rashford added a third 13 minutes from time, firing home from a Fernandes through ball to seal all three points.

Ivan Toney poked home a consolation goal with five minutes to go, but the damage was already done at that point.

Brentford player ratings

1. Goalkeeper & defenders

Jonas Lossl (GK) - 6/10 - Conceded one against United in his last Premier League appearance, so he's gone backwards.

Mads Bech Sorensen (CB) - 6/10 - Did a nice job of keeping United's forwards quiet and caused plenty of problems with his long throws.

Pontus Jansson (CB) - 5/10 - Threw his weight around well but was absolutely burnt for the second goal.

Ethan Pinnock (CB) - 7/10 - Pocketed Ronaldo in the first half and wasn't scared of either him or Elanga.

2. Midfielders

Mads Roerslev (RM) - 6/10 - A few heavy challenges. Let United know he was there.

Vitaly Janelt (CM) - 6/10 - Pressed high and got forward well. Had a nice chance to score early on. Faded after the break.

Christian Norgaard (CM) - 7/10 - Such a psychical presence in midfield. Harried United into a lot of issues.

Mathias Jensen (CM) - 8/10 - Just like Norgaard but with the added goal threat. Should've had a hat-trick in the first half.

Sergi Canos (LM) - 6/10 - Didn't really match his team-mates' energy but didn't do much wrong.

3. Forwards

Bryan Mbeumo (ST) - 7/10 - Unrelenting with his work rate. Just didn't stop pressing United.

Ivan Toney (ST) - 7/10 - A real problem for Lindelof and Varane. Used his body to link up play well.

4. Substitutes

Shandon Baptiste (CM) - 6/10

Rico Henry (LM) - 6/10

Yoane Wissa (ST) - 6/10

Man Utd player ratings

5. Goalkeeper & defenders

David de Gea (GK) - 8/10 - Has now made more saves than any other Premier League goalkeeper this season. Could hardly be more important to United.

Diogo Dalot (RB) - 8/10 - Dealt well with Brentford's high press, surprisingly. A dominant threat in the air.

Victor Lindelof (CB) - 6/10 - Some really nice passing but not always particularly impressive at the back. Struggled against Toney.

Raphael Varane (CB) - 6/10 - Didn't shy away from a battle with Toney. Led by example in the second half.

Alex Telles (LB) - 5/10 - Just crossing without even aiming.

6. Midfielders

Scott McTominay (DM) - 7/10 - Lost in the first half but superb in the second. Controlled the game with real ease.

Fred (DM) - 7/10 - Excellent pressing and a glorious pass for Elanga's opener.

Mason Greenwood (RM) - 6/10 - Not involved in the first half but stepped it up after the break and took his goal well.

Bruno Fernandes (AM) - 7/10 - Woeful in the first 45 but flipped the switch after the break and bagged two nice assists. Did, however, attempt the worst chip you've ever seen right at the end.

Anthony Elanga (LM) - 6/10 - A bit of an isolated figure out on the wing but he took his goal very well.

7. Forward

Cristiano Ronaldo (ST) - 5/10 - A great pass in the build-up to Greenwood's goal. Threw a strop when he was subbed off.

8. Substitutes

Harry Maguire (CB) - 6/10

Marcus Rashford (RM) - 7/10

Nemanja Matic (DM) - N/A