Manchester United vs Brighton LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Ronaldo ends goal drought
Manchester United 2-0 Brighton: Follow live reaction as Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes sealed an important win for Ralf Rangnick
Follow live reaction from the Premier League as Manchester United returned to winning ways and Cristiano Ronaldo ended his scoring drought against 10-man Brighton.
Jadon Sancho had the first chance of the match after being slipped in by Ronaldo’s back-heel, only to be denied by Robert Sanchez’s outstretched arm.
It was Brighton who had the better of the opening half, however, with David de Gea producing a stunning stop to deny Jakub Moder’s header for the impressive visitors.
But the match turned shortly after the restart and in the space of 90 seconds, as Ronaldo fired a brilliant finish past Sanchez to open the scoring and Lewis Dunk was sent off for bringing down Anthony Elanga.
Bruno Fernandes added a second to seal the win in stoppage time. The result moves Ralf Rangnick’s side ahead of West Ham and back into the Premier League’s top four, while ending a run of three matches without a win in all competitions.
Follow live reaction below:
Manchester United vs Brighton: Team changes
Ralf Rangnick makes just two changes to the Manchester United team that drew 1-1 with Southampton at the weekend. Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba drop to the bench with Fred taking his place alongside Scott McTominay and Anthony Elanga earning a place in the starting line-up.
Graham Potter makes three changes to the Brighton team that defeated Watford 2-0 last time out. Danny Welbeck, Adam Lallana and Tariq Lamptey all drop to the bench with Yves Bissouma, Alexis MacAllister and Leandro Trossard coming into the team.
Manchester United vs Brighton: Line-ups
Man Utd XI: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, McTominay, Fernandes, Elanga, Sancho, Ronaldo
Brighton XI: Sanchez, Cucurella, Webster, Dunk, Veltman, Trossard, Bissouma, Gross, Moder, MacAllister, Maupay
Manchester United vs Brighton: Graham Potter dismisses suggestions Cristiano Ronaldo is a fading force
Brighton boss Graham Potter has no doubts about the enduring quality of Cristiano Ronaldo and is relishing the challenge of a first meeting with “one of the best players of all time”.
Potter will reach 100 games in Premier League management on Tuesday evening when in-form Albion take on Manchester United at Old Trafford.
United star Ronaldo has come in for criticism in recent weeks, having failed to score in six successive games in all competitions – his longest barren run in 12 years.
Graham Potter dismisses suggestions Cristiano Ronaldo is a fading force
Potter’s Brighton travel to Old Trafford on Monday amid the Portuguese forward’s goal drought
Manchester United vs Brighton: Rangnick’s squad update
Ralf Rangnick confirmed that Fred would be available for tonight’s game versus Brighton and also that Alex Telles will be included in the squad.
Telles and Luke Shaw have been vying for the left-back starting role so it will be interesting to see if Shaw can keep his place in the starting XI. Rangnick said:
Fred will be available again and will also be part of the group for tomorrow, Edinson [Cavani] is still out, the same with Nema [Nemanja Matic].
“Alex [Telles] is back again in the squad, he was already part of the group for the Southampton game and he will also be available."
Manchester United vs Brighton: Premier League standings
Manchester United come into the match in fifth place trailing West Ham (4th) by one point. They would move ahead of the Hammers with victory, but anything less would keep them outside of the top four due to the London club’s superior goal difference. The race for the top four is close and sees Arsenal, Tottenham and Wolves with games in hand on Man Utd so Ralf Rangnick’s men can’t afford to drop anymore points.
Brighton may be thinking about a spot in Europe next season as well. Although they are currently ninth, they are only three points behind Tottenham and also have a game in hand on Manchester United. A victory tonight would see them move above Spurs on goal difference and put them within five points of West Ham and a place in the top four.
Manchester United vs Brighton: Potter’s injury update
Brighton manager, Graham Potter, spoke briefly about the squad’s injury list and was happy to report that only two players were unable to make tonight’s game. Enock Mwepu and Jeremy Sarmiento will both miss the game but Potter is hopeful that Mwepu will be fit again soon. He said:
We’ll be as we were against Watford.
"Enock’s not far away, back end of the week hopefully, and Jeremy’s getting close too. The squad’s in a good place."
Manchester United vs Brighton: Recent results
Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick will be desperate for a win tonight following three consecutive 1-1 draws which saw the Red Devils take the lead and then concede second half equalisers. Middlesbrough knocked United out of the FA Cup on penalties this way before Burnley and Southampton both secured points in the Premier League.
Brighton are undefeated in seven Premier League matches a run that goes back to December 15th. The Seagulls have won three and drawn four during that time. Their last outing saw them cruise past Watford 2-0 thanks to goals from Neal Maupay and Adam Webster.
Manchester United vs Brighton: Injuries and absentees
Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic is a doubt due to a shin injury and Edinson Cavani is still troubled by the groin problem that saw him miss the match against Southampton. However, Fred is available again after completing his Covid-19 isolation.
Enock Mwepu and Jeremy Sarmiento are both still absent for Brighton who will be boosted by the return of Yves Bissouma from the Africa Cup of Nations.
There are no further injury concerns for Graham Potter’s men.
Good evening!
Follow live coverage as Manchester United host Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League tonight.
Ralf Rangnick’s side are in desperate need of three points as they bid to stay in the race for Champions League football. United have led 1-0 at half-time in their past three fixtures only to be pegged back after the interval, something Rangnick has looked to address with the help of club psychologist Sascha Lense. The second-half setbacks have seen the Red Devils knocked out of the FA Cup on penalties by Middlesbrough and drop Premier League points with 1-1 draws against Burnley and Southampton.
Rangnick’s opposite number Graham Potter has gained plenty of plaudits for Brighton’s style of play and slick performances and has his in-form side flying high in ninth place ahead of Tuesday’s milestone match, his 100th top-flight game in charge of the Seagulls.
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