Manchester United pass Brentford to give fans a smile in their final home game of the season

Manchester United celebrated a comfortable 3-0 win over Brentford in their final home game of a miserable season as Old Trafford bid farewell to Ralf Rangnick and some players amid further protests against the Glazer family.

Today marks a year since the Red Devils’ home game against Liverpool was postponed as fans expressed their anger at the owner following the European Super League debacle.

Fans have protested at each of United’s last three home games and sentiment against Glazer was evident before and during the win over Brentford at Old Trafford.

This was the first game Thomas Frank’s Bees had lost with Christian Eriksen in the starting XI and there were times before and after Bruno Fernandes’ early opener when the Dane threatened to unlock the hosts.

A narrow offside decision prevented Cristiano Ronaldo before half-time, but the veteran would join the scoring charts after converting Rico Henry’s foolishly missed penalty.

Raphael Varane hooked a deflected third home as fans gave the outgoing Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata a standing ovation as they were substituted on in their recent appearances at Old Trafford.

There was renewed chanting against the Glazers in the 73rd minute as some departed rather than plan the mass exodus planned across departments at United ahead of a big summer.

Brentford might find the goal line hard to swallow given the impressive moments they have produced during their first competitive game at Old Trafford since 1975.

Eriksen pulled the strings from the start, putting Bryan Mbeumo behind the sleepy Alex Telles in the opening seconds of a game in which the Stretford End applauded the Denmark international’s first corner.

Brentford played with confidence under the Old Trafford floodlights but United would deal an early blow when Diogo Dalot sent Anthony Elanga down the right.

The 20-year-old – one of United’s few bright spots this season – hissed over a cross that sent Fernandes home in the ninth minute.

Eriksen tried to pass David De Gea with a snap when Brentford returned to attack and delivered a brilliant cross that Ivan Toney headed from close range.

While the Brentford playmaker investigated, Ronaldo proved a handful at the other end.

From back heels to David Raya being forced into an embarrassing save from a long-range free-kick, then angrily claiming he should have been awarded a penalty after a Mads Bech Sorensen tackle. Referee Chris Kavanagh was unperturbed.

Next, Ronaldo deftly flicked at Mata, who just missed the near post in his first Premier League start of the season.

Mbeumo flashed wide as the Bees swarmed forward and Eriksen continued to impress, only for United to celebrate a second.

Mata collapsed on the left and sent a low cross that pushed Ronaldo past Raya. Provider and scorer celebrated together, only for the goal to be ruled out after a VAR check.

That decision gave Brentford new hope of a famous result and De Gea denied Eriksen’s sharp 30-yard free-kick in the second half and then stopped Toney with his feet.

But it wasn’t all one-way traffic and Raya deflected an attempt from Dalot onto the woodwork after a one-two with Ronaldo, who was offside in the build-up.

Fernandes hissed across the face of goal after being found by Matic before United managed to catch their breath in the 61st minute.

Ronaldo was bundled into the box by Henry and the veteran sent Raya the wrong way before an enthusiastic Stretford End.

A standing ovation was received by Matic and Mata, who were substituted in the last home game before their contracts expired, with the latter celebrating a third goal before being substituted.

Pontus Jansson almost converted a Ronaldo cross into his own goal, but went behind to a corner which Telles turned around for Varane to hook with a deflector.

The planned march 17 minutes ahead of time saw an exit but not the crowds some had expected as torches filled the air and chanting increased in volume.

Substitute Edinson Cavani appeared desperate to score in what would be what would be his last appearance at Old Trafford, but the closing stages ebbed and Brentford were unable to find consolation.