Reds’ oldies showing they’re still the goodies
JUAN Mata’s United career ended where it should have started.
A No.10, he lined up on the right-hand side on his Reds debut against Cardiff under David Moyes in January 2014 and it set the tone for the next eight years.
Back in his rightful role behind the centre forward, Mata was magisterial against Brentford
His farewell appearance at Old Trafford - his first start in the league since the final day of last season - appeared charitable yet he had earned it through recent vibrant cameos.
In occupying the playmaker role usually reserved for Bruno Fernandes, the Spaniard enhanced United’s link-up play and the relocated Fernandes stealthily met Anthony Elanga’s spirited cross to make it 1-0 in the ninth minute.
Interim boss Ralf Rangnick made his mind up about Marcus Rashford months ago and his relegation back to the bench at the expense of Mata, who turned 34 last week and is about to be released, was the final nail in the coffin. Rashford has the pace Mata always lacked but not the footballing flair.
The only complaint United supporters may have is why Rangnick took so long to promote Mata to the starting XI. Though Brentford’s first league visit to Old Trafford since 1946 occasionally resembled an exhibition match - as Nemanja Matic also said farewell to the fans – Thomas Frank’s side were intense and adventurous enough for any pedestrian players to wilt. Mata didn’t.
A scorer in the 2016 FA Cup final and starter in the triumphant Carabao Cup and Europa League finals of 2017, he was already assured of a rousing send-off for his two goals at Anfield in 2015.
In 70 minutes against Brentford he confirmed he had been undeniably underused in his remaining years, reduced to a spotkick specialist in losing shoot-outs by Rangnick and Ole Gunnar
Solskjaer. It was a night for the old and the new. Recent debutant Alejandro Garnacho - who was on the bench – was serenaded by the Stretford End, while Mata and Cristiano Ronaldo combined on the pitch, only for the latter to be denied a goal by his offside toenail.
Ronaldo earned a shot at his 24th goal of the season after the interval, winning the penalty he then converted. New United boss Erik ten Hag has West Ham reject Sebastian Haller spearheading Ajax’s attack and should have no issue finding room for Ronaldo next season.
Some who had inked the Portugal international’s obituaries a matter of weeks ago have now ripped them up. He was flexible off the ball and fluid on it, earning a celebratory ‘Siiiiu’ from the crowd for a sliding tackle in his own half, barging Scott McTominay to one side to execute it.
Provided he is willing to grace Old Trafford for a second season, Ten Hag
has a solution in Ronaldo to an attack that is about to see an exodus. The player was in his element alongside 30-something Mata and appeared more vexed than the Spaniard when the latter sliced a shot wide. Ronaldo and Mata’s names were chanted during a swift lap of honour.
Matic was substituted in the 70th minute, Ronaldo and Scott McTominay going out of their way to clasp hands with the midfielder, who earned a double-high five from Rangnick.
Mata soon departed and all four stands rose to their feet.
Fewer did so in the 73rd minute to walk out as part of the protesters’ plan for a mass exodus.
Even those who held a banner aloft calling for a walkout appeared to stay behind. Many sang the throwback ‘We’ll support you ever more,’ arguably a counter-protest to the protest. “Where’s your protest gone?” asked the Brentford fans. After Raphael Varane rounded off the evening with his first goal for the club, the final whistle was greeted with applause and ‘Glory glory Man United,’ an anthem rarely heard this season, drowned out any dissenters. Stewards lined up in front of the perimeter but the atmosphere was one of apathy, not animosity. The United matchgoers maintained standards by denying the returning Edinson Cavani’s song an airing on a rare and final appearance in M16. Anyone who would have dared might have been turfed out, never mind walked out.
There were not enough substitutions for the farewells. Cavani and Jesse Lingard are going, Phil Jones and Eric Bailly want to go and so might Dean Henderson.
Jones was among the introductions and that was a triumph in itself. A year ago, playing in front of a crowd again was in jeopardy and he has stayed fit to prolong his career away from Old Trafford.
United fans have been more appreciative towards him this season than in previous campaigns.
Elanga made an impression in preseason with a cushioned volley against Brentford and at the same end his precisely-timed run and prompt cross dictated Fernandes’s finish.
Elanga’s direct wing play was all the more impressive as he ended up in the ditch by the advertising hoarding.
Yet an evening for the youngsters was hijacked by their elders.