Manchester United moved to within two points of the Champions League places after beating Brentford 3-1 in the Premier League.
Second half goals from Anthony Elanga, Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford got the Reds back to winning ways in the top-flight.
Here are United’s five best players from the clash at the Brentford Community Stadium…
David de Gea
If it wasn’t for the Spaniard, Brentford may have been in a comfortable lead heading into half-time, but yet again United’s number one was able to be that man one-man rescue act.
De Gea is back to his best and it seems opposing players are once again doubting whether they can even get the ball past the Spanish international.
With the 31-year-old in imperious form, United always stand a chance, but Ralf Rangnick will likely be irked by the volume of saves his goalkeeper had to make once again.
Diogo Dalot
With Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the side-lines, Dalot continued to gain a stranglehold of the right-back position with a solid performance.
The marauding full-back didn’t get forward as much as he probably liked, but he defended astutely and was aware to the danger the Bees posed.
The Portuguese international made 16 ball recoveries against Thomas Frank’s side, the most out of any player on the pitch.
He also had 82 touches, only Alex Telles (84) and Fred (85) had more. He also made three tackles and three interceptions, as well as seven clearances, which was more than any United player.
Scott McTominay
The Scot’s importance in Rangnick’s side continues to grow and this was yet another dominant box-to-box midfielder display.
United’s number 39 completed five dribbles which was more than any other player on the pitch, and he was a constant thorn in the Brentford side.
Defensively, the 25-year-old made two tackles, two interceptions and four clearances.
The academy graduate is really growing in stature and is becoming more a leader and influence on this team by the week.
It will be an intriguing battle on Saturday when McTominay comes up against Declan Rice.
Bruno Fernandes
United’s ‘Portuguese Magnifico’ is well and truly back to his devastating best and that is a worrying proposition for any side we come against.
United’s number 18 has his swagger back and that means his teammates will get ample chances to score goals.
Once again given a free role in a 4-3-3 formation, Fernandes looks to be relishing the opportunity to pick up a number of different positions and get on the ball more frequently.
He showed great composure and football intelligence to give Mason Greenwood a tap in and play a perfectly weighted pass into Marcus Rashford.
Anthony Elanga
With Manchester United needing someone to grab the game by the scruff of its neck, up stepped up 19-year-old Elanga.
Handed successive Premier League starts for the first time in his career, the Swedish under-21 international is becoming a big part of this Manchester United side.
He possesses explosive pace and his movement off the touchline must be a dream for the likes of Fernandes.
After being played in by Fred, United’s number 36 showed great composure to control the ball and then head home.
It was another lively performance from the academy graduate and he will be targeting a third straight against West Ham on Saturday.
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