Ralf Rangnick defended Cristiano Ronaldo after the Manchester United star’s petulant reaction to his substitution cast a shadow over their 3-1 win at Brentford on Wednesday.

Rangnick’s side were indebted to David de Gea for a superb first-half display that kept Brentford at bay before Manchester United finally sprang to life in west London.

Anthony Elanga put Manchester United in front early in the second half before Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford wrapped up their first win in three Premier League games.

But it was Cristiano Ronaldo’s grumpy response to Rangnick’s decision to haul him off in the 71st minute that could prove the evening’s lasting image.

Shaking his head and muttering to himself, Ronaldo appeared to say something to Rangnick as he brushed past him.

Angrily throwing his coat to the floor, Ronaldo pointed at his chest while his team-mates on the bench nervously looked away.

Rangnick initially ignored Ronaldo before sitting next to him and patting the Portugal forward on the leg as he attempted to placate him.

The 36-year-old’s strop will raise fresh questions about his willingness to fit into Rangnick’s system after his latest underwhelming display.

However, Rangnick refused to criticise Ronaldo when asked about his behaviour.

“It’s normal, he’s a striker and wants to score goals. He came back from a little injury and for me it is important to bear in mind we have another game in a few days’ time,” Rangnick said.

“We were 2-0 up, the same as at Aston Villa. I decided to defend that lead this time and it was the right decision to switch to a back five.”

Manchester United at least avoided another embarrassing result after losing at home to Wolves and letting a two-goal lead slip in a draw at Aston Villa in their previous two league games.

They sit seventh in the table, two points adrift of the top four as they chase qualification for next season’s Champions League.

“I wouldn’t say a strong conversation but obviously we had to change a few things; first half we were not good in all aspects of the game,” Rangnick said of his half-time message to his players.

“We gave away almost every second ball. In the second half we were more urgent, we were attacking them high up the pitch.”

Ronaldo, back after missing two matches with a hip problem, was nearly gifted an early goal when debutant keeper Jonas Lossl dropped a cross at the forward’s feet, but the Bees were able to scramble clear.

Thomas Frank’s fired-up team went close through Bryan Mbeumo, whose low shot forced a fine save from De Gea.

Brentford were well on top and Mads Bech Sorensen saw his strike deflected into the side-netting off Bruno Fernandes.

Ivan Toney tore through Manchester United’s defence, setting up Mathias Jensen for a shot that was well saved by De Gea.

Manchester United could not have been any worse in the opening period, yet they played with far more urgency after the interval.

Cristiano Ronaldo nearly gave them the lead when he met Fernandes’ cross with a looping header onto the bar.

It was a warning Brentford failed to heed and, after Toney headed straight at De Gea, Swedish teenager Elanga made the hosts pay for their profligacy in the 55th minute.

Fred clipped a pass into the Brentford area and Elanga knocked the ball up in the air before heading past Lossl from close range.

Elanga’s first goal this season changed the mood completely and United struck again in the 62nd minute.

MANCHESTER UNITED CONCEDED A LATE GOAL

With Brentford appealing in vain for offside, Fernandes surged onto Ronaldo’s chest down and slipped a pass to Greenwood, who slotted into the empty net for his first goal in seven games.

After Ronaldo’s temper tantrum, it must have been a relief to Rangnick that Rashford, on as a substitute, notched Manchester United’s third goal with a fine finish from Fernandes’ pass in the 77th minute.

Toney scored from close range on 85 minutes but it far too late for Brentford.