Here are five takeaways from the Premier League match at the Theatre of Dreams…
David de Gea once again came up trumps.
The search for Jakub Moder’s first Premier League goal continues, although he might have been forgiven for thinking he had opened his account with a score against Liverpool.
If it hadn’t been for de Gea, the Polish midfielder could have had two goals.
The first save by the Spanish international after five minutes was remarkable, but his second was just world-class.
Moder’s header appeared to be heading into the net, but United’s in-form goalkeeper managed to tip the effort around the post.
And when Moder did had de Gea beat, his second-half shot sailed over the crossbar.
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Ronaldo’s goal drought has ended.
When England player Jadon Sancho didn’t play the ball back to him in the first few minutes, the 37-year-old was plainly irritated.
But the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was never going to let his goal drought last seven games.
Ronaldo clinically hammered the ball past Robert Sanchez into the bottom corner after scooping up the ball from Scott McTominay.
Instead of the classic ‘Siuu’ celebration, United’s number seven performed a knee slide and exhaled a sigh of relief that his longest goalless streak since 2009 was over.
The Portuguese international’s tally for the season now stands at 15.
United has reclaimed fourth place.
After three consecutive 1-1 tie, United performed an abysmal first half against the Seagulls, with only one shot on target.
But, as Ronaldo’s moment of brilliance was immediately followed by a red card for Lewis Dunk, Old Trafford appeared to breathe a great sigh of relief.
The victory over Graham Potter’s team pushed us back above West Ham and into fourth place in the race for Champions League qualifying.
Potter’s ordeal against United continues.
Graham Potter entered the match at the Theatre of Dreams looking to improve on his dreadful record versus Manchester United.
Prior to tonight’s match, the former Swansea man has lost all five previous meetings against the Red Devils.
Potter stated in his pre-match press conference that he is looking forward to battling his wits against Ronaldo, whom he described as “out of this world.”
Ronaldo, who is so often the one to come through in crunch time, proved to be the matchwinner once again.
United must improve their clinical abilities.
When Dunk was sent off, the game was turned on its head, and the Reds had multiple chances to put the game out of reach.
Ronaldo could have had a hat-trick, and Bruno Fernandes also blew a golden opportunity.
Two headers were missed by the ex-Juventus player, which was unusual for him. Sanchez tipped his initial attempt over the bar, while his second attempt missed the goal.
Moder’s effort, which smacked off the crossbar, served as a warning that United’s sloppiness in front of goal might be punished for the fourth time in a row.
Rangnick’s concerns were emphasized by the fact that he substituted Sancho for Alex Telles despite having a numerical one-man advantage.
United held on, but we continue to make things difficult for ourselves. Danny Welbeck, an ex-Red, had a golden chance late on, but his free header went over the bar.
In the final seconds, Fernandes scored a late breakaway goal.
