Manchester United Climbs To Fourth After Brighton Victory
Manchester United climbed up to fourth in the Premier League table after a 2-0 victory against 10-man Brighton & Hove Albion courtesy of goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford.
United coach Ralf Rangnick fielded Ronaldo in attack, supported by youngster Anthony Elanga and Jadon Sancho on the flanks. The visitors were looking to cause an upset with Leandro Trossard and Neal Maupay up front.
Brighton started brightly in that first half dominating the game, forcing Manchester United to rely on counter-attacks. However, the best chance came the way of Jadon Sancho but he missed. A spectacular save from David de Gea kept the visitors level at halftime, hitting away Jakub Moder’s header with his outstretched right hand.
In the second half, But the game changed when Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma lost possession in their own half and Ronaldo pounced.
The Portuguese collected Scott McTominay’s pass before going past Brighton defenders and fired a fierce curling shot past goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.
Another one ticked off the list for @Cristiano: ✅#MUFC | #MUNBHA
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 16, 2022
Ronaldo had gone six games without scoring but was determined to end the drought.
Three minutes later, Brighton captain Lewis Dunk was sent off after VAR sent referee Peter Bankes to review the defender’s foul on Anthony Elanga.
United breathed a sigh of relief when Moder’s brilliant effort from the corner of the box bounced back off the bar with David de Gea beaten. As Brighton were still trying to salvage something from the contest, Fernandes struck the final blow to snatch the hopes of the visitors.
The win – only United’s third in seven games – lifts Ralf Rangnick’s side two points above West Ham and into the Champions League qualification places. Brighton remain ninth.
“Everyone could see after the first half, it was not an easy game,” Rangnick said after the match. “They are very possession-based. It was difficult for us to get hold of the ball.”
“We made a change and it paid off. In the second half, we were more aggressive and tried to intercept the ball.”
Goals from @Cristiano and @B_Fernandes8 gives us all three points! 👏#MUFC | #MUNBHA
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) February 15, 2022
The concern for Manchester united will be that they were outplayed before the red card. The visitors struggled to maintain possession, even when they had an extra man due to Dunk’s red card.
Manchester United travel to face Leeds United on Sunday, while Brighton will face Burnely at home on Saturday.
Chidi Nwoke/Manchester United.
