Five things we learned from Manchester United 2-0 Brighton

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Manchester United beat Brighton 2-0 at Old Trafford in what was a crucial three points for Ralf Rangnick’s side.

Here are five things we learned from the Premier League clash at the Theatre of Dreams…

David de Gea comes up trumps once again

Jakub Moder’s wait for his first Premier League goal goes on, but he would have been forgiven for thinking he had opened his account with a goal against the Reds.

If it wasn’t for de Gea, the Polish midfielder could have had two goals to his name.

The Spanish international’s first save after five minutes was impressive, but his second one was simply world class.

Moder’s header looked destined to find the back of the net, but United’s in-form number one somehow managed to tip the effort round the post.

And when Moder did have de Gea beaten his second half effort came crashing off the bar.

Ronaldo’s goal drought is over

The 37-year-old was visibly annoyed with Jadon Sancho when the England international didn’t play the ball back to him in the opening minutes.

But the five-time Ballon d’Or winner was never going to allow his goalscoring drought to extend to seven matches.

After picking up the ball from Scott McTominay, Ronaldo clinically smashed the ball past Robert Sanchez into the bottom corner.

Instead of the iconic ‘Siuu’ celebration, United’s number seven threw out a knee slide and breathed a sigh of relief that his worst barren spell in front of goal since 2009 was over.

The Portuguese international took his tally for the season up to 15.

United back up to fourth

After three straight 1-1 draws, United produced an abject first half against the Seagulls which only brought one shot on target.

But after Ronaldo’s moment of brilliance was quickly followed by a Lewis Dunk red card, Old Trafford seemingly breathed a huge sigh of relief.

The win against Graham Potter’s side moved us back above West Ham and into fourth place, in the quest for Champions League qualification.

Potter’s suffering against United continues

Graham Potter came into the clash at the Theatre of Dreams hoping to improve on his miserable record against Manchester United.

In the five previous meetings against the Red Devils, prior to tonight’s clash, the former Swansea man had lost all five encounters.

In his pre-match press conference, Potter said he was looking forward to pitting his wits against Ronaldo, who he described “out of this world”.

So often the man to come up with the goods in the clutch moments, Ronaldo once again proved to the matchwinner.

United have to become more clinical

The game turned on its head when Dunk was sent off and the Reds once again had numerous chances to put the game out of sight.

Ronaldo could have had a hat-trick and Bruno Fernandes also squandered a great chance.

The former Juventus man uncharacteristically missed two headers. His first effort was tipped over the bar by Sanchez and his second attempt missed the target.

Moder’s effort that came crashing off the bar was a reminder that United’s sloppiness in front of goal could be punished for a fourth straight game.

Despite having a numerical one-man advantage, Rangnick’s concerns were highlighted by the fact he brought off Sancho in place of Alex Telles.

United held on but we continue to make life hard for ourselves. Ex-Red Danny Welbeck had a great chance late on, but his free header went over the bar.

Fernandes scored a late breakaway goal in the final seconds.

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