MAN UTD beat Brighton 2-0 tonight at Old Trafford thanks to Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes’ second-half goals.
Lewis Dunk was also sent off for the Seagulls, who in large parts dominated the clash at the Theatre of Dreams.
- Start time: 8.15pm GMT
- TV/Live stream: Not televised
- Man Utd XI: De Gea, Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Shaw, Fred, Bruno Fernandes, McTominay, Elanga, Sancho, Ronaldo
- Brighton XI: Sanchez, Cucurella, Webster, Dunk, Bissouma, Mac Allister, Gross, Veltman, Moder, Trossard, Maupay
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That’s all from Old Trafford
It was another game of two halves for Manchester United this evening, but this time they prevailed by saving their better 45 minutes for the second period.
Having been given the runaround by an impressive Brighton in the first half, it took the hosts just six minutes to break the deadlock following the restart with Cristiano Ronaldo ending his own goal drought in scintillating style.
Eighty-one seconds later, the game was up for the Seagulls as captain Lewis Dunk lost possession and then lost his head, bringing down Anthony Elanga and earning himself a red card – eventually awarded after VAR had intervened.
Bruno Fernandes added a second goal in stoppage time to ensure United move into the top four in their desperate pursuit of Champions League football.
It wasn’t pretty, it wasn’t always good, but it was enough.
Goodnight.
United go fourth and prosper
Tonight’s victory means Manchester United finally leapfrog over West Ham to take fourth position.
The Red Devils lead the Hammers by two points, and sixth-placed Arsenal by four – although the Gunners now have three games in hand on the two sides directly above them.
Red Devils back on track
That’s the message coming out of the Manchester United dressing room anyway, not least from their opening goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese superstar has already taken to Twitter to post his post-match thoughts, and they are sure to please United fans.
Credit: @Cristiano Twitter
Relieved Rangnick salutes Ronaldo
After a difficult week, a delighted – and relieved – Ralf Rangnick paid tribute to Cristiano Ronaldo, whose goal set United on their way to a crucial three points.
The German coach also highlighted the changes his side made in the second half following a frustrating first 45 minutes.
It was a very important win and even more so after the first half. In the second half we were more aggressive, and tried to attack them in higher positions.
It was an amazing goal by Cristiano, and an important one. It was also a good performance, he was always trying to help his team-mates.
Ralf Rangnick
Bruno delivers final knockout blow
Bruno Fernandes displayed flashes of his brilliant best at times this evening, putting the final gloss on a much-improved second half performance from himself and his team.
- Goals: 1
- Shots: 4
- Shots on target: 3
- Touches: 78
- Chances created: 5
- Big chances created: 2
- Crosses: 9
- Successful dribbles: 2/2
- Duels won: 5/7
Full time stats from Old Trafford
A much-improved Manchester United registered 16 shots in the second half, nine of them coming from their two Portuguese goalscorers.
Full time – Man Utd 2-0 Brighton
Immediately, the final whistle is blown and Peter Bankes calls time on this Premier League encounter.
It wasn’t always pretty, it wasn’t always impressive, but Manchester United have got the job done and claimed an important victory in the hunt for Champions League football.
Man Utd 2-0 Brighton
90+7. A second goal at Old Trafford, but this time it’s not an equaliser for the visitors!
With Brighton pushing everyone forward, Paul Pogba wins a free-kick and takes it quickly. The Frenchman’s pass plays Bruno Fernandes into space, leaving the Portuguese midfielder with half of Old Trafford to run into.
Two-on-one, Fernandes drives forward with Cristiano Ronaldo in support, only to use his compatriot by not using him.
Darting past the last defender, Fernandes then sends Robert Sanchez to ground with a dummy before lifting a shot into the roof of the net on the slide.
A fine finish to an intriguing evening.
Goal! Bruno Fernandes seals victory!
90+7. Deep into stoppage time, Bruno Fernandes make sure of three crucial points!
It’s the midfielder’s eighth goal of the season!
Man Utd 1-0 Brighton – McTominay yellow card
90+5. Scott McTominay goes into Peter Bankes’ book for persistent fouling, most of them on Yves Bissouma in the past five minutes.
Man Utd 1-0 Brighton
90+4. Brighton are running out of steam.
United don’t have long to hold on now.
Man Utd 1-0 Brighton
90+2. Shaw commits another foul that denies Lamptey the chance to break forward.
The United left-back was booked earlier, and is perhaps lucky to get away with another misdemeanour.
We have had two of six additional minutes.
Man Utd 1-0 Brighton – Welbeck chance!
90. Was that the moment?! In the final minute, Danny Welbeck has spurned a great opportunity to equalise on his return to Old Trafford.
The substitutes combine as Tariq Lamptey crosses from the right for Welbeck, who heads over David de Gea’s goal at the near post.
What. A. Chance.
Man Utd 1-0 Brighton
88. Ronaldo has his fifth attempt on goal of the night blocked.
It’s the first game this year that the Manchester United forward has had as many as five shots in the one game.
Man Utd 1-0 Brighton
87. Pogba executes some unnecessary stepovers on the edge of the Brighton box.
They take him nowhere and lead to nothing, but should add another £25,000-per-week to his contract demands when it comes to moving in the summer.
Man Utd 1-0 Brighton – Mac Allister yellow card
85. The easiest decision you’ll see made all season.
Slick passing on the right sends Rashford into space ahead of Mac Allister, who, noting the danger, decides to pull the Manchester United substitute back by the shirt.
It’s cynical. It’s clearcut. It’s a caution.
Man Utd 1-0 Brighton
83. United are pushing for a second with Maguire, McTominay and Telles all testing Sanchez in the past couple of minutes.
However, Brighton have started to look a threat on the counter. They couldn’t, could they?
Man Utd 1-0 Brighton – United substitutions
80. A final double change for the hosts. Marcus Rashford and Alex Telles are sent on for Jadon Sancho and Anthony Elanga.
It’s likely to mean the Brazilian left-back operates in a forward role for the final ten minutes of this contest.
Man Utd 1-0 Brighton – Moder hits the bar!
78. Wow! Brighton are inches away from what would have been a spectacular equaliser!
Moder takes control of the ball on the left touchline where there appears no danger but, quick as a flash, the Polish midfielder cuts inside and curls a wonderful effort on to the woodwork from 30 yards. De Gea was beaten all ends up.
It’s a reminder to Manchester United that this game isn’t done yet.
Man Utd 1-0 Brighton – Ronaldo chance!
75. Ronaldo should be celebrating a second!
Again he combines with Fernandes, who sends a curling cross to the far post and on to the head of his international teammate.
Five yards out, Ronaldo has the simplest task of converting from five yards, but somehow manages to nod wide.
Man Utd 1-0 Brighton – United substitution
73. A first change for Ralf Rangnick.
On his comeback, Fred takes his leave to an appreciative reception, and here’s an opportunity for Paul Pogba to impress.
Man Utd 1-0 Brighton – Fernandes chance!
71. What an opportunity to kill the game off!
Yet again, it’s an awful mistake from a Brighton player that presents the opportunity, this time when goalkeeper Robert Sanchez plays a pass straight to Ronaldo on the edge of the area.
The forward could go for goal himself, but instead squares a pass to compatriot Fernandes, whose shot from point blank range is pushed away superbly by the Spanish goalkeeper.
Redemption for Robert, but a poor miss by Bruno.
Man Utd 1-0 Brighton – Brighton substitution
70. Graham Potter makes his final change, and it’s one that brings a warm response from the home fans.
Danny Welbeck, who spent 13 years at Manchester United as a youngster, is on for the visitors, replacing Neal Maupay.
Man Utd 1-0 Brighton
68. It’s been another game of two halves, thankfully for Ralf Rangnick this is one where his team have improved after the break.
Such a threat in the first half, the ten men of Brighton are offering nothing now from an attacking perspective.
Man Utd 1-0 Brighton – Ronaldo chance!
66. So close to a second for Ronaldo and United!
The home side’s Portuguese pair combine as Fernandes steps up a perfect cross from the left for Ronaldo, who gets up above Webster to head goalwards.
Reacting quickly, Sanchez leaps up and flicks the effort over the crossbar.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
