Ruthless Red Devils swat Bees away in 300th PL away win

Three second-half goals by Anthony Elanga, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford secured a 3-1 win for Manchester United against Brentford in West London, in the teams’ first league meeting since 1947. The victory was a historic moment for the ‘Red Devils’ as they became the first Premier League side to achieve 300 away wins.Cristiano Ronaldo returned to the side in place of Edinson Cavani and was almost found early on by Bruno Fernandes, with home captain Pontus Jansson making a timely interception. However, Thomas Frank’s men then enjoyed a spell of dominance, creating several chances. Mathias Jensen was denied from close range on his 100th ‘Bees’ league appearance by David de Gea’s outstretched left leg before Vitaly Janelt’s curling effort was blocked by Victor Lindelöf.United were unable to get their forwards into the game and a poor corner saw Brentford break as Jensen was repelled for a second time by De Gea before Ivan Toney’s follow-up was almost knocked into his own net by Raphaël Varane. The hosts will have rued the fact that they weren’t ahead and United came alive quickly after the teams returned, Ronaldo heading onto the bar after Fernandes’ cross.On 55 minutes, the deadlock was broken as Fred’s perceptive pass found Elanga in the box and the 19-year-old held off Mads Roerslev, flicked the ball in the air and nodded over Jonas Lössl into the corner. Brentford didn’t have a huge amount of time to recover before United doubled their advantage courtesy of Greenwood, who ended a league scoring drought stretching back to 16 October. Scott McTominay’s clipped pass was brilliantly chested into Fernandes’ path by Ronaldo and the Portuguese midfielder surged forward before squaring for Greenwood, who tapped into an empty net. The points were sealed as McTominay worked tenaciously in the middle of the park and then laid off to Fernandes, who slipped in substitute Marcus Rashford to lash home as United saw out the victory, their first in the league in 2022, despite Ivan Toney’s late consolation, which came after a penalty-box melee following a corner.Manchester United remain seventh, but are now within two points of fourth-placed West Ham, who they host on Saturday, while Brentford play Wolverhampton Wanderers the same day