Cristiano Ronaldo finally brought an end to his barren drought on Tuesday as Manchester United recovered from a limp first-half display to beat 10-man Brighton 2-0 and clamber back into the Premier League top four for a temporary respite.
Unlike their recent matches that featured a lack of control and intensity in the second half, the Tuesday match dramatically changed complexion early in the second half as an obviously rejuvenated Ronaldo scored his first goal in 2022 just before Lewis Dunk was sent off three minutes later.
That said, the home side was still guilty of squandering chances of doubling their lead until Bruno Fernandes stepped up to seal the points deep into stoppage time.
It had been a consistent pattern that Ralf Rangnick’s team had fallen into the lamentable and damaging habit of squandering leads acquired in the first half, having dropped vital points against bottom dwellers Burnley and being shown to be embarrassingly short and wanting by Southampton and also shown the exit in the FA Cup.
It’s been more than embarrassing for United that they have been struggling to find consistency and fluency under their German interim manager and were again unable to impose themselves against Brighton at Old Trafford in an atmosphere that was a trifle flat.
Anthony Elanga and Fred came into the starting line-up missing Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford, with Raphael Varane also missing out due to illness.
Jadon Sancho, who had been the savior of the team in the last two matches, was denied early on, but the hosts created precious little as Brighton controlled the game, enjoying nearly 60 percent of possession in the first half.
A menacing Jakub Moder header was somehow brilliantly saved by David de Gea and the half-time whistle drew boos and heckles from a frustrated home crowd, with United thanking their stars to be level at 0-0.
United finally took the lead in the 51st minute when a Scott McTominay tackle on Yves Bissouma saw the ball breaking loose to Ronaldo, and the quintessential poacher darted forward, sliced past Adam Webster and firing beyond goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from the edge of the box.
The proceedings picked up for United soon after as Anthony Elanga overtook Dunk, who brought down the teenager 25 yards out with referee Peter Bankes immediately flashing a yellow card to the Brighton captain, only to change it to red after reviewing the foul on the advice of VAR.
United, who had lost first-half leads in three consecutive matches in all competitions, were now on top but still failed to force home their advantage and almost paid for their wanton ways when Moder beat De Gea but his shot somehow cannoned back off the crossbar in the 78th minute.
United again breathed another sigh of relief when former United player Danny Welbeck flashed a late header just high to save the Red Devils embarrassment.
United had a nervy finish to the game but wrapped up the victory in the 97th minute when substitute Pogba took a quick free-kick and Fernandes collected the ball inside his own half and raced forward before firing home.
The three points lift United into the fourth Champions League qualification spot, two points ahead of West Ham and four behind third-placed Chelsea, who have a game in hand.
Arsenal, Wolves and Tottenham are also within striking distance of the top four with all having games in hand.