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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
George Smith

What Rangnick told Ronaldo after sub and Alex Telles' classy moment in Man United vs Brentford

Following a dismal first half performance in their first league clash with Brentford in 75 years, Manchester United's supporters could have been forgiven for fearing the worst at half time.

However, out of the blue, United produced an excellent second half showing to secure a much-needed, morale-boosting 3-1 victory.

Goals from Anthony Elanga, Mason Greenwood and substitute Marcus Rashford sealed an excellent result and a first away win for United since the 1-0 triumph over Norwich on December 11, easing some of the pressure on interim manager Ralf Rangnick's shoulders.

Having had David de Gea to thank for keeping them in the contest in the first half, United were fluid and vibrant after the break, moving themselves to within two points of Saturday's opponents West Ham in fourth.

But it wasn't all rosy. Both on and off the pitch, United's players and coaching staff did have moments of frustration and concern.

With that in mind, here are five moments from United's first away win of the year that you may have missed:

Ramsay's set-piece concern

Incapable of scoring goals via set-pieces at one end and frequently vulnerable at defending them at the other, United's players must have been twitching when Bees defender Mads Bech Sorensen prepared to hurl his first long throw-in of the evening into the penalty area.

On this occasion, United dealt with it successfully — something Arsenal couldn't do on the opening night of the Premier League season back in August.

However, it gave United set-piece coach Eric Ramsay cause for concern. Looking on from the substitutes bench, Ramsay watched the throw-in back several times, rewinding it on the monitor situated in front of him. The Bees continued to pose a threat from set-plays, but United defending them well until the 85th minute when Ivan Toney bundled in following a scramble.

Ronaldo's referee frustrations

As both sets of players headed back to the dressing rooms at half time, Cristiano Ronaldo — who was visibly frustrated even further by his lack of service in the first half — made a beeline for referee Andre Marriner, who was already in discussion with De Gea.

Shaking his head before tapping the experienced ref on the arm, it appeared as though the Portugal international was unimpressed by some challenges that went unpunished and did not go his way in the first 45 minutes.

Unimpressed he may have been, but it is highly possible that an uninspiring first half from United most probably contributed to his irritation. He would voice a different kind of frustration later on.

Telles' touch of class

As United's players made it their mission to mob Elanga after he scored the game's opening goal, left-back Alex Telles made a point of appreciating Fred's excellent pass to make those celebrations possible.

The Brazilian midfielder, who has now claimed three assists in as many games, was late joining the celebrations, but Telles was appreciative of his role in the goal.

Alex Telles (right) makes a point of pointing towards Fred for his outstanding assist. (Clive Rose/Getty Images.)

While almost everyone surrounded Elanga, Telles turned around and pointed at Fred with a huge smile on his face, clearly in appreciation of his fellow countryman's excellent assist.

Maguire's wait for the armband

Stepping off the bench with just under 20 minutes of normal time to go, Harry Maguire did not, as many would have expected, run straight over to Bruno Fernandes to take the captain's armband off of him.

Instead, it remained on the Portuguese midfield architect's left arm for a little while longer before he belatedly handed it to the centre-back.

Maguire has not started any of United's last four matches, initially due to an injury, meaning the captain's armband has been sported by both Fernandes and Ronaldo in his absence.

But considering the England international is club captain, many would have expected him to have been handed it immediately.

Ronaldo's and Rangnick's conversation

After being replaced by Maguire, Ronaldo was visibly furious with Rangnick at being taken off with just under 20 minutes left on the clock, throwing his coat to the floor in anger.

The Portuguese star clearly disagreed with Rangnick's decision and was pictured muttering away to his team-mates and members of the coaching staff about the move.

However, as Rashford wheeled away to celebrate United's third goal of the night, Rangnick was spotted speaking to Ronaldo, explaining his thinking behind the decision to take him off.

The German turned around to where Ronaldo was sat just behind him and had a quiet word in his ear, before tapping him on the shin, suggesting that he had quickly patched things up. Ronaldo appeared to ask technical director Darren Fletcher, "Why did you take me off?" but Rangnick later said the sub was made with the weekend's game against West Ham in mind.

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