Cristiano Ronaldo and Juan Mata get what they deserve from Manchester United fans vs Brentford

Juan Mata's Manchester United career ended where it should have started. Mata, a No.10, lined up on the right-hand side on his United 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

The Spaniard's farewell appearance to United's season ticket holders - his first start in the league since the final day of last season - appeared charitable yet Mat had earned it through recent vibrant cameos. In occupying the playmaker role usually reserved for Bruno Fernandes, Mata enhanced United's link-up play and the relocated Fernandes stealthily met Anthony Elanga's spirited cross to make it 1-0.

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. Rashford has the pace Mata always lacked but not the footballing brain. Few do at United.

Read more: United player ratings vs Brentford

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, 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 League Cup and Europa League finals of 2017, Mata 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 underused in his remaining years, reduced to a spotkick specialist in losing shootouts by Rangnick