Manchester United climbed up to fourth in the Premier League table after a 2-0 win over 10-man Brighton on Tuesday night.
Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes’ second-half goals saw the Red Devils scrape past a Seagulls side who performed admirably, even when Lewis Dunk was sent off too.
Sportsmail’s IAN LADYMAN and LUKE AUGUSTUS provide ratings from the Old Trafford encounter.
MANCHESTER UNITED (4-2-3-1)
David de Gea – 7.5
Manchester United’s player of the season came to the rescue once more with a brilliant save to deny Jakub Moder in the first half. If only those in front of him played at his level this season.
David de Gea (centre) was brilliant in goal for Manchester United during their win vs Brighton
Diogo Dalot – 6
Wasn’t his best game but made 16 ball recoveries against Brighton – six more than any other player on either side on Tuesday.
Victor Lindelof – 6
A late starter in place for the ill Raphael Varane and will be pleased to have contributed to a clean sheet.
Harry Maguire – 5.5
The much-maligned centre back will be pleased to have kept a clean sheet. However, Brighton’s dominance in the first half especially shouldn’t have resulted in that.
Luke Shaw – 6
Grew into the game in the second half once Brighton were down to 10 men. However, struggled when the pacy Tariq Lamptey was brought on for Brighton and was duly booked for a foul on the right back.
Luke Shaw (left) grew into the game at left back for United as the second half wore on
Scott McTominay – 6
Industrious as ever for United, but was part of their problems in the first half with such a big gap between midfield and defence.
Fred 5.5
Another game to forget by the Brazil international, albeit he has just recovered from Covid. However, he was guilty of losing possession far too often in midfield as Brighton carved United open at will.
Anthony Elanga – 6
His direct running saw Dunk sent off and helped turn the game in United’s favour.
Bruno Fernandes – 7
Became more impactful once Brighton were reduced to 10 men. Took his goal superbly though, showing terrific stamina and then composure. It made up for his glaring miss earlier in the second half.
Jadon Sancho – 8
After a slow start at Old Trafford, the £73million signing is beginning to find his feet. Should have put United ahead early in the first half but was a great attacking outlet down the left wing, beating multiple defenders.
Jadon Sancho (right) impressed down United’s left flank as he continues to find his feet there
Cristiano Ronaldo – 7
Showed his class with brilliant individual goal but will be disappointed he didn’t add to his tally with two headers. Should’ve had an assist too when he laid it on a plate for Fernandes.
SUBS
Paul Pogba – 6 (on for Fred, 72 minutes)
Showed some lovely touches in midfield, including one beautiful pirouette, and it was his quickly-taken free-kick that set Fernandes on his way to score United’s second.
Alex Telles – 6 (on for Elanga, 79 mins)
Came on to help combat the threat of Lamptey as a defensive left-sided midfielder.
Marcus Rashford – 6 (on for Sancho, 79 mins)
Lost the ball a few times in this brief cameo, to the groans of the Old Trafford faithful.
MANAGER
Ralf Rangnick – 6
Will be pleased with the second-half display but he must be concerned by their opening 45-minute showing.
Ralf Rangnick will be pleased to see his United end their poor run of results with this victory
BRIGHTON (4-3-3)
Robert Sanchez – 6
Made fine saves to deny Sancho and Fernandes. Could do nothing about Ronaldo’s opener but will be disappointed to have bitten on Fernandes’ dummy to make it 2-0.
Joel Veltman – 6.5
Produced a brilliant cross which nearly set up Moder to score in the first half and was solid in defence largely throughout.
Adam Webster – 6.5
His mistake was the catalyst for Sancho’s first-half chance but he duly recovered and largely nulified the threat of Ronaldo.
Lewis Dunk – 5.5
Sent off after a last-man challenge on Elanga that cost his team dearly. With 11 men they may have overturned their 1-0 deficit at the time.
Lewis Dunk (centre right) was sent off in the second half to swing the game in United’s favour
Marc Cucurella – 6.5
Combative left back who had the measure of most United attacks down his flank.
Pascal Gross – 6.5
Kept things tidy throughout his outing at Old Trafford.
Yves Bissouma – 5.5
Could’ve scored in the first half, then his mistake led to United’s opener as he failed to deal with their press. Eighty-one seconds later, Dunk was sent off too with the visitors still unnerved.
Yves Bissouma’s (left) error was the catalyst for United to take the lead on 51 minutes
Jakub Moder – 7
Unlucky to not score a brace. De Gea’s brilliance denied him a fantastic header, before the crossbar stopped his 30-yard effort from being a goal of the season contender.
Alexis Mac Allister – 6.5
Industrious and wasn’t afraid to track back and help his team out. Booked late on.
Leandro Trossard – 6.5
Was part of a Brighton attack that had United’s defence on ropes all through the first half.
Neal Maupay – 6
Didn’t have any chances to capitalise on the uncertainty of United’s backline.
Neal Maupay (left) occupied Manchester United’s defenders but failed to threaten their goal
SUBS
Steven Alzate – 6 (on for Gross, 60 mins)
Was unable to influence the game in the way he would like too due to Brighton being a man down.
Tariq Lamptey – 6 (on for Trossard, 60 mins)
His pace caused United’s defence problems. Put in a brilliant cross but Danny Welbeck could only head over.
Danny Welbeck – 6 (on for Maupay, 69 mins)
Should have scored from Lamptey’s cross against his former club, provided more of a threat than Maupay though.
MANAGER
Graham Potter – 6
Will be frustrated not to come away from Old Trafford with a win – a measure of Brighton’s display. Can take solace though into the rest of the season.
Graham Potter (left) will leave Old Trafford disappointed to have come away empty handed
REFEREE
Peter Bankes – 6
Made the right call to overturn his initial decision to award Dunk a yellow card and send him off.
Referee Peter Bankes was right to overturn Lewis Dunk’s yellow card after referring to VAR
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