Manchester United produced one of their best performances of the season as they secured a 3-0 win over Brentford on Monday night. With a place in next season's Champions League now out of reach, fans were hoping Ralf Rangnick would offer the club's youngsters a chance to shine, but it became something of a farewell tour instead.
We were offered the chance to celebrate the respective United careers of Nemanja Matic, Juan Mata, Edinson Cavani and perhaps even Phil Jones. However, instead of providing closure, the fans were left pining for more.
Matic and Mata were United's best players on the night and they showed the club where their priorities should lie in the summer transfer window, especially in the case of a defensive midfielder. Both received rapturous applause as they left the field.
READ MORE: Manchester United manager Ralf Rangnick makes Juan Mata admission after Brentford performance
Since Rangnick became interim manager, his style of football has not been clear in any of United's performances, but the win over Brentford proved to be the exception. The team's formation was fluid and players linked up with quick passes and constant movement.
At the heart of it was Mata, who was playing as the team's no.10. He was able to play between the lines and link up a lot of the moves in Brentford's half of the pitch. He was unfortunate not to cap off his performance with an assist as Cristiano Ronaldo's goal was narrowly adjudged to be offside.
Matic, as the team's defensive midfielder, consistently offered a passing option for the centre-backs to progress the ball. Brentford tried to press United high up the field but the Serbian midfielder was able to play his way out of danger.
Both players will be leaving at the end of the season and their stints at Old Trafford have hardly been trophy-laden. United bought Matic as his powers were waning and Mata was a great creative midfielder who was misused by a number of different managers.
As a new project starts under Erik ten Hag, it is important that United and their new boss see the departures of such players as a chance to bring in fresh faces who can be part of United's future success. Both Matic and Mata have shown the importance of technical ability and both will need to be replaced in the summer.
Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.
