Man Utd 3 Brentford 0: Fernandes, Ronaldo and Varane end tough Red Devils’ home campaign on a high

AT LEAST you can rely on Cristiano Ronaldo to lift the spirits. A sparkling display capped by his 24th goal of the season from the spot gave something for Manchester United fans to cheer. In fact he has probably given them the only things to cheer this season. One has to wonder though whether his own […]

AT LEAST you can rely on Cristiano Ronaldo to lift the spirits.

A sparkling display capped by his 24^th goal of the season from the spot gave something for Manchester United fans to cheer.

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GETTY

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In fact he has probably given them the only things to cheer this season.

One has to wonder though whether his own waves to the crowd last night were of goodbye as well though, with a host of players out of contracts on their way.

He has a year left but whether he stays to fight it out in the Europa League next season is another matter.

This convincing victory began with Bruno Fernandes 50^th goal for the club on nine minutes before Ronaldo’s penalty on 61 and a close range strike from Raphael Varane on 72.

But it was another game played against a backdrop of protest and dissatisfaction.

Although the called for walk out with 17 minutes left, to mark 17 years of the Glazer family’s ownership did not materialise.

To think these final home games of the season at Old Trafford used to be filled with so much joy.

They used to hold the Premier League trophy up as well.

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Not been even close to doing that since Sir Alex Ferguson left.

In fact they are so far away this time that they will need to win their final two games away to Brighton and Crystal Palace just to match their worst ever points total in the Premier League of 64 set by David Moyes in the first season post Fergie.

Ahead of this final home fixture of the season interim manager Ralf Rangnick tried to reassure worried Red Devils supporters.

He claimed: “This is not the fall of Manchester United, it’s a stumble along the way and, when you stumble, you have to think quickly and clearly to regain your balance so you can carry on moving forward.”

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Nobody is holding their breaths on that happening even with new boss Erik Ten Hag on his way

So what of the evening’s entertainment.

Well it was a cracking opening goal on nine minutes thanks mainly to the pace of Anthony Elanga.

Diogo Dalot played a ball over the top from deep that a lot of players would have given up on as it bounced towards the byline.

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Not Elanga who stretched every sinew to reach it and fire over a cross that Bruno Fernandes met with an unstoppable volley.

It was his 50^th United goal in 124 appearances for the club.

United were sure they had second just two minutes before the break.

Fernandes clipped the ball forward for Juan Mata to race onto and deliver a perfectly weighted ball for Ronaldo to side foot home from the edge of the area.

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It would have been a special moment for Mata on this his first Premier League start of the season and final game in United’s colours at Old Trafford.

Unfortunately VAR Paul Tierney found Ronaldo inches offside and the goal was chalked out.

Ronaldo had been all flicks and tricks through the first half and had set up Mata for a shot earlier in the half that hit the side netting.

Brentford had their chances too.

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This has been some season for them, their first back in the top flight in 74 years.

A run of one point from 27 going into March looked to have threatened the Bees existence in it as they lost their sting.

But five wins and a draw from their last seven before last night pushed them back into mid-table safety.

Their best chance of the opening period came when a cross from Christian Eriksen was met by Ivan Toney who headed just over.

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There was a lively start to the second half with Fernandes rolling a shot just wide of the far post before Brentford responded with two shots of their own.

Christian Eriksen’s from a free kick was palmed away by De Gea who then needed an outstretched boot to deny Toney.

United increased their lead when Ronaldo won and converted the penalty.

He used his strength to nudge Rico Henry away as he charged into the area.

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Henry responded by clattering back into him and the ref pointed to the spot.

With Fernandes having missed United’s last penalty award, at Arsenal, Ronaldo assumed the duties and thumped a shot home from the spot.

Varane added the third when he won a physical duel in the box to meet Alex Telles corner with his boot from close range.

There were good ovations for both Mata and Nemanja Matic when they were subbed in the second-half in their final game in United’s colours here. Deserved as well.

Quite why Edinson Cavani was cheered onto the pitch is another matter.

In the end a rapidly emptying stadium was just happy it was all over.

Not in recent memory have they longed so much for a season at Old Trafford to end.