After recent disappointing results, Manchester United collected big points against Brighton & Hove Albion in the race for the Champions League places. Cristiano Ronaldo was finally able to celebrate again in the 2-0 win.
Got the lead and then gave it away again? Unlike the 1-1 draw at Burnley and the 1-1 draw with Southampton, Manchester United managed to hold on to a slender lead this time. For a long time, however, it did not look as if it would happen at home against Brighton & Hove Albion.
Interim coach Ralf Rangnick’s side started with Elanga, Fred and Lindelöf for Rashford, Pogba and Varane, but struggled to get going. The surprise team from Brighton around coach Graham Potter, who is considered one of the best English coaches at the moment, was active from the start and put the Red Devils under pressure early on. The Seagulls had the first chance with Moder (5th). On the other side, Sancho failed to beat Sanchez (6th).
Brighton better – De Gea saves
In the following, however, the game again belonged almost exclusively to the visitors, who played a determined and confident short-passing game. The pale and unimaginative Red Devils struggled – and had de Gea to thank in the 39th minute: The Spanish goalkeeper made a brilliant save on Moder’s header to prevent what should have been a goal. The game went into the dressing rooms goalless.
Chance festival of the Red Devils
The second half should have had more to offer after the uneventful first half. Only a few minutes after the restart, Cristiano Ronaldo broke the spell with a powerful shot (51st) – and also ended his goalless period of six games without a goal. A short time later, Brighton weakened themselves with Dunk’s emergency stop (54.).
Afterwards, the English record champions went on the attack. But neither Cristiano Ronaldo nor Bruno Fernandes could extend the lead despite promising chances (66., 71., 75.). And so United had to tremble again and were lucky that Moder only hit the crossbar with his shot (78.).
But apart from that, there was little from the ten Seagulls in the second half. Shortly before the end, Bruno Fernandes removed the last doubts and scored the final goal with the 2:0 (90.+7). Manchester United thus moved back up to fourth place and should be aiming for another win at relegation candidates Leeds United on Sunday (3pm). Brighton face bottom side Burnley on Saturday (4pm).