Wednesday night marked Manchester United's first ever Premier League meeting with Brentford, and their first trip to the Brentford Community Stadium. They did encounter one another in a friendly at Old Trafford in the summer, though the sides last met competitively in a League Cup tie all the way back in 1975.
Ralf Rangnick opted for stability in his starting side, making only a pair of changes with fear of disrupting the side that performed well for up to 70 minutes at Villa Park the weekend prior. The personnel on the pitch were hardly the issue for the majority against Aston Villa, with Rangnick placing the onus on himself for the lack of second half alterations as fatigue set in and United imploded. Nobody could really blame the naming of a very similar side in the capital on Wednesday due to the risk of causing further unsettlement to an already unstable bunch.
As hinted in his press conference, Rangnick very much stuck with the 4-3-3 system that often worked with efficiency against Villa, which indicated very little adjustments to his side's approach.
Harry Maguire could, again, only make the bench as he continues to rebuild fitness. Back from suspension, there was also no recall for Luke Shaw - he "had to pull out after training" due to "hamstring problems", leaving the back four unchanged.
Scott McTominay - similarly returning from suspension - was introduced in place of Nemanja Matic as the sitting 'six' accompanying Fred and Bruno Fernandes as the 'eights'. Having impressed Rangnick at Villa Park, Anthony Elanga kept his spot, with the manager exclaiming that "there was no reason for a change".
Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo replaced the injured Edinson Cavani to lead the line. "Edinson had to drop out after training because he had some muscular problems," Rangnick said. "For me it was logical, and I’m happy to have Cristiano back in the team."
Anthony Martial was also amongst the substitutes after the controversy surrounding apparent refusal to play against Villa, with Marcus Rashford back on the bench after a dead leg. However, Jadon Sancho was missing due to a family member's funeral. "He asked me if he could [not play]," Rangnick said. "It would not make sense for him to be part of the squad."
From the outset, it was very apparent that it would be a physical contest. There were early indications of Brentford's aerial aptitude from some troubling long throw-ins, with an early effort unleashed by the hosts scuffed wide. No matter, the home side had come out of the blocks hungry and with intensity, quick onto and winning essentially every ball. United were forced to sit extremely deep, which set a positive precedent for Brentford.
The visitors, by contrast to their opposition, struggled to impose themselves in possession through the opening exchanges. Compared to their rampant nature at times against Villa in the opening period, United appeared slower conjunct with reduced attacking poise. However, growing amounts of crosses and balls played in behind indicated that Rangnick's side were biding their time and being patient in their approach.
Brentford showed signs of shakiness, with a couple of instances of miscommunication almost providing inroads for United. Diogo Dalot played one exceptional diagonal ball - something that is growing into a specialty of his - to Elanga, who prompted a defensive mix-up having found himself almost in the clear at the back post. There were more promising signs early on from the hard working Swede, with a number of lively darts proving troublesome.
It wasn't only Brentford making errors, though, with United guilty of some mistakes too - a recurring theme of late. One stray Dalot pass provoked a hectic Brentford attacking onslaught, with an utterly frantic defensive display from United as bodies were thrown everywhere in desperation to keep the home side at bay. Everything was very last ditch, with tackles missed but a vital David de Gea save and blocks made to halt the hosts.
As soon as one storm was weathered, United displayed similar struggles from some subsequent corners. There were some poor, verging on woeful, clearances both aerially and on the ground. Dubious decisions were also prevalent within a frenetic few phases, with Fred once attempting an acrobatic clearance - that barely travelled five yards - from nearly on the ground.
United begun to lose their battles to quite some extent, with signs of Rangnick's side lacking sharpness, often gifting chances to their counterparts. The energy so prevailing at Villa Park had diminished, with Brentford the more alert and winning a predominant amount of second balls.
There were signs of Rangnick's side regressing to a more disjointed and incohesive shape, causing limitations in possession, which were enhanced by Brentford's defensive discipline. Ronaldo was often dropping unorthodoxly deep just to get a sniff at some possession, with the ball shifted at such a lack of pace that it was routine for Brentford to deal with.
When control was somewhat restored after the chaotic pummellings from Brentford, United still posed little threat and exuded little authority simultaneously. Passing was so often loose from the away side, with poor execution of final balls limiting any creative edge in their ranks.
Even though United had their fair share of possession, Brentford were a threat on the break. On one occasion, they found themselves three-on-two as United were outdone by the opposition's counter attacking prowess. If it wasn't for a busy, busy De Gea, you'd be backed to believe that United would have been behind.
The Spanish goalkeeper was gratefully proving a saviour again, though his side's reliance on his services is far from a positive. It's bad news that De Gea could almost already be awarded the club's player of the season award, and is testament to the sheer amount of chances being conceded.
United had been second best in almost every aspect throughout the first half, even seeming to fall short in possession despite seeing 68% of the ball. By the pause, Brentford's eight shots were double United's attempts total, with Rangnick overseeing his side fail to even create a big chance as their opposition engineered three. Most concerning, the German's team were hardly able to abide by his principle of control by covering a whole 4.5km less ground than their opponents.
Whatever was said at the juncture seemed to elicit a huge improvement from a United standpoint, with an urgent start to the second half injecting shock into Brentford. The visiting outfit had started fast, with Ronaldo finding a header hit the top of the crossbar after a Fernandes delivery. Good signs.
United's attacking commitment did instigate liability at the opposite end as the game opened up, with susceptibility to breaks proven as De Gea was called into action once more after a Brentford two-on-one.
Often, United still found themselves let down by the final ball, but it wasn't for the want of trying. When an executed final ball did come, it was something special. Fred picked out an Elanga dart into an opening within the box with incision, with the Swede taking a controlled first touch over the head of Jonas Lossl to set himself for a routine header into an empty net. A memorable moment for a youngster seizing his opportunity on the big stage.
He really has burst onto the scene with style. Ever since he whipped up the Stretford End in the cup tie against Villa, you knew his character was special. He exudes a mass of confidence, and is a faultlessly tireless presence. He has bags of quality too, conjunct with a top level footballing brain - with his run making and spatial awareness something to be lauded.
Post-match, Rangnick insisted, "I told him you will not go out on loan, you will say here."
The appreciationngoes both ways. "I appreciate the boss so much," Elanga said. "If you put the work in training you will get rewarded. That's what I try to do everyday - work hard and train the way I want to play."
A word needs to be made on Fred, too. He now has three assists in three matches, and is thriving with freedom as an 'eight' in tandem with Fernandes within the 4-3-3 system. On top of his continually industrious characteristics, he is developing a creative edge. He has been directly involved in five goals since the start of December - no United player has been involved in more.
The task at hand following the opener was to hold onto the lead, something unsuccessful against Villa from two goals up. Timely and correct changes had to be made by Rangnick, whilst the players would have to really show their metal.
By a matter of fact, the opener actually sent United flying; a mere seven minutes in subsequence, United had doubled their advantage. There was some assiduous work in midfield from McTominay to regain possession, with an impressive ball lifted into Ronaldo in space. The striker remarkably weighted a touch off his chest to combine with compatriot Fernandes, who drove into the box before unselfishly tapping to Mason Greenwood for an open net as the goalkeeper committed.
The linkup play was fluid from United, and a sign of the squad's plethora of capabilities. A spark had been reignited. Now, it was down to Rangnick to aid his side in seeing out a two-goal lead.
Rangnick did promptly react, with Maguire introduced to slot into a back five as he replaced a disgruntled Ronaldo. There was a brief embrace between player and manager, but it was clear Ronaldo could not believe he had been withdrawn. On the face of things, though, it was good management from Rangnick.
Of course Ronaldo, being who he is, was never going to be happy at being taken off. However, the change made lots of sense and signified a lesson learned from Rangnick. Maguire got some minutes back on the pitch after his layoff, whilst adding the extra defensive body that Rangnick regretted not adding at Villa Park. Plus, it protected Ronaldo after his own recent injury issues.
Rangnick put the issue to bed after a multitude of questions post-match. "He said, 'Why me, why did you take me off?' - I said I had to take the decision for the team, for the club. Maybe in a few years when he is a coach he will understand."
"I told him we were 2-0 up and we have to learn lessons from Villa Park, after that game I was angry with myself for not changing to a back five. Today was exactly the same situation, 2-0 with 15 minutes left and I did not want to make the same mistake again."
"I didn’t expect him to hug me after being subbed. I know how goalscoring players think and how they tick but I have to take my decisions in the interest of the team. I have no issue whatsoever with Cristiano."
Amidst the focus on Ronaldo, Rashford replaced Greenwood - it proved the perfect move. United were forced to weather one passage of opposing duress before making it three.
McTominay's role was even greater on this occasion, winning the ball back again with aid of his physical stature and aggression, this time driving through a Brentford sandwich before offloading to Fernandes. The Portuguese provided again, slotting Rashford into the box to finish clinically with power.
There was no doubt in Rashford's mind, which hasn't been such a common thing recently. Self-belief is something that Rashford has been short of recently, but there was never any hesitation when he faced up to the goalkeeper. He needed a goal, as Rangnick has said, and hopefully it can propel him forwards again.
In the midst of things, Fernandes' two assists have made it four goal involvements in only two matches in the 'eight' role of Rangnick's revamped system. He certainly has his cutting, creative edge back, and is once again proving his worth. The 4-3-3 was something Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wanted to instill, but it never happened. Under a manager slightly more tactically astute, United have branched out and it’s working a treat. There were concerns that Fernandes would lose his attacking edge in such system, but he has actually regained it after a lacklustre phase of form.
Television pictures cut to Rangnick ushering words of consolation to Ronaldo. No matter, it's easy to think he'll never quite understand. It's tribute to his desire, even at his age.
Spirits were slightly dampened for United as McTominay was withdrawn for Matic due to a knock, though Rangnick was confident that it is nothing serious. "He took a blow to the back and he couldn't breathe properly," he said. "I spoke to him in the dressing room and he should be fine for Saturday."
A relief, it must be said. McTominay was the standout on the night. He won every tackle, whilst succeeding in nine duels and winning possession 11 times. He is developing technically too, with the highest passing accuracy and most completed dribbles on the pitch. His endeavour was pivotal to both goals, whilst he absolutely dominated the midfield, proving himself in the holding role within the 4-3-3 system. He was extremely authoritative, the main man and centrepoint of the side. He has become far more positive in his play too, which is hugely encouraging.
United's allergy to clean sheets continued as Brentford capitalised on a hugely messy scramble following on from a late long throw, with Ivan Toney potent to pull one back for Brentford. It was the first serious blip from United within an otherwise pristine 45 minutes of football.
Aside from the concession, United had defended to a much better standard in the second half. Dalot deserves singling out for his showing, totally cementing his place in the side if he hadn’t done already. He has often been questioned for the defensive side of his game, but he was on top form in all aspects. His colossal 16 ball recoveries were the most made by any player on the pitch, whilst he also made seven clearances and three interceptions amidst winning three tackles and three aerial duels.
Brentford boss Thomas Frank, let's say, wasn't the happiest post-match, saying in his interview, "We destroyed them in the first half, they didn't have a sniff. There could only have been one winner of this game. Our intensity killed them, we showed that in the first half, we played the Brentford way."
It is true that, if it wasn’t for De Gea, it is somewhat unlikely that United would have won. He again stood so firm against an opposing bombardment, and is the outright saves leader in the league. It’s a negative reflection on United, but it’s a positive to see him back at the very peak of his powers.
Making the top four is going to be an uphill struggle, and that is the doing of those involved at United. By no means, though, is it out of question. Rangnick's side are showing more and more that they are capable of really top level performances - it’s just about sustaining the standard being shown in phases, and building on it even further. Everything started to come together in the second half, and that did stem from a stark improvement in the midfield's dominance in the 4-3-3 setup, which tied everything together. There was definitely more cohesion on display, and that’s integral to success.
Beating West Ham is integral on Saturday. Victory would see United move above David Moyes’ men despite a game in hand, with four theoretically more straightforward matches afterwards a huge opportunity to make up ground. Rangnick and his team have to make the most of things before fixtures get very tough again.
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