Cristiano Ronaldo ended his goal drought in emphatic style as Manchester United moved up to fourth in the Premier League table with a 2-0 win over Brighton at Old Trafford.
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
6' CLOSE! Sancho’s shot too straight
38' what a save from De Gea
45' Bruno Fernandes is being violated
50' GOAL! Man Utd 1-0 Brighton (Ronaldo)
53' Red Card! Dunk sent off
69' Welbeck in, Maupay out
70' CLOSE! Bruno Fernandes’s shot cleared off by Robert Sanchez
77' OFF THE POST!
84' Yellow Card! Mac Allister booked
89' CHANCE! Welbeck's header over the bar
Ronaldo had gone six games without scoring but blasted home before Lewis Dunk's red card dented Brighton's hopes and Bruno Fernandes' strike effort added late gloss to the score.
It was anything but a convincing performance from United, Jakub Moder hitting the crossbar and Danny Welbeck somehow heading over after Brighton were down to 10 men.
Indeed, it had required a spectacular save from David de Gea just to keep his side on level terms at the break, clawing away a Moder header with his outstretched right hand.
Brighton produced the more enterprising football in that first half with United reliant on counter-attacks, the best chance coming the way of Jadon Sancho early on.
But the game turned on two losses of possession in their own half, Ronaldo punishing Yves Bissouma's mistake and Dunk fouling Anthony Elanga after his own poor touch.
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.
What's next?
Manchester United travel to Elland Road to face Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds United live on Sky Sports this Sunday. Kick-off is at 2pm.
Brighton are in action in front of their own supporters on Saturday as they host the Premier League bottom club Burnley.
Line-ups
Man Utd XI: Ronaldo, De Gea, Lindelof, Maguire, Fred, Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, Dalot, Sancho, McTominay, A. Elanga
Subs: Heaton, Mata, Jones, Alex Telles, Pogba, Lingard, Dean Henderson, Rashford, Wan-Bissaka
Brighton XI: Webster, Gross, Veltman, Dunk, Trossard, Maupay, Cucurella, Bissouma, Robert Sanchez, Mac Allister, Jakub Moder
Subs: Lallana, Steele, Welbeck, Duffy, March, Alzate, Tariq Lamptey, M. Caicedo, E. Ferguson
LevisJoseph
420
More to come from the real Goat 🐐🐐🔥🔥🔥🔥
Ibrahimsmile
367
Another save 🤩
JuniorGunner•••
324
Reason why he attended training early and left last hard work pays off
Fasbcmnryz
311
Always scoring on ucl nights even if he's not playing ❤️👑
icethug
142
Never you criticize the GOAT because he will always prove you wrong. Factos 😂
CHRISBLAISE24
141
Today's match was all about Portugal boys @Ronaldo @Bruno @Bernado Silva
LevisJoseph
124
“When you know your Goat is in his best performance you know he’ll score even before taking the shot “Elanga celebrating cr7 goal before he hits the shot
Rtdkola
95
My G.O.A.T finally scores..
wenaikpu
72
CR7 is the real 🐐. I always say that those who say Messi is naturally talented but CR7 is just hard working are kids. the Truth is that both are talented but one adds hard work while the other is lazy. so please tell your 🐐 to add some hard work okay... #i know my 🐐 🤗🤗😄
autumn
44
GIF GIF GIF!: https://bit.ly/3Lv3vdI
samundrarajrijal
18
One goal scored in old traford millions people cry in paris, millions people get paid, billions people smile. This Is Ronaldo. He makes both hater and fans happy
shajee01
10
Man utd move to 4th... Arsenal be like:hold my beer
Hence barca is same as Arsenal who are fighting for 4th position 🤣🤣
JoeRock
9
when cr7 finally end the goal drought.. he won't stop scoring anymore.. as long cr7 mood is good, he can't be stopped .. GGMU!
Ibrahimsmile
9
Ronaldo fans to Messi fans this week