Mcb777 APPMan Utd player ratings: Cristiano Ronaldo inspires wasteful Red Devils to Brighton win but McTominay is weak point again | The Sun - Machibet777 Affiliate

CRISTIANO RONALDO inspired Manchester United to a crucial 2-0 win over Brighton.

The Portuguese, 37, ended his goal drought with a powerful run and finish - but did miss two close-range headers that would have put the game out of reach.

Cristiano Ronaldo led by example and scored Manchester United's winnerCredit: Getty

Bruno Fernandes got the goal his performance deserved with seconds remainingCredit: Getty

Scott McTominay struggled once again - even getting in Ronaldo's way at one pointCredit: PA

United struggled in the first half and were reliant on the counter-attack to create chances - more energy and effective high pressing led to the opening goal and then a red card for Lewis Dunk.

There is still plenty for Ralf Rangnick to work on with Bruno Fernandes missing an easy chance before he added a second late on, but the midfielder was a threat throughout and Brighton could not contain him.

United's biggest concern remains the midfield with Fred and Scott McTominay guilty of giving away possession too frequently.

Luke Shaw and Diogo Dalot also struggled under Brighton's high press at times but a resolute defensive display - and a first clean sheet in four games - gave the Red Devils three valuable points that take them up to fourth.

Here is how SunSport's Kealan Hughes rated the United display.

David de Gea - 8/10

Kept United in the game with two brilliant first-half saves, particularly the second from Jakub Moder's header.

Did not have much to do but helped his chances of winning United's player of the year award.

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Diogo Dalot - 6

Struggled to deal with the Brighton high press and many of his long balls were wayward.

But he did keep Brighton's left-hand side relatively quiet despite Anthony Elanga struggling to contain the threat of Marc Cucurella.

Victor Lindelof - 6

Came in late after Raphael Varane was taken ill in the warm-up and allowed Neal Maupay to get the better of him at times when holding the ball up, despite his physical advantage.

Harry Maguire - 7

Has been questioned by fans recently but performed well despite Varane's absence.

Can be criticised for being too slow on the ball but this error-free performance should help to build his confidence.

Luke Shaw - 5

Like Dalot on the opposite flank he struggled to play out from the back at times, though the United midfield can also be blamed for not providing more options.

Got forward more often as the game opened up late on but does not look like the same player who performed so well last season.

Scott McTominay - 4

Yves Bissouma got the better of him in the first half but he caught the Brighton midfielder out in the build-up to Cristiano Ronaldo's key opener.

He will always fail to provide the creativity United need on the ball, however, and the difference in composure shown between him and Paul Pogba when the Frenchman came on highlighted the gulf in quality.

Fred - 5

Another player who looked much more lively after half-time after carelessly giving the ball away multiple times early on.

He is much more effective when harrying players and needed to do that from the off - though in fairness he has missed recent games due to Covid.

Jadon Sancho - 7

Looked dangerous on the counter-attack but should have given United the lead in the opening ten minutes.

Other than Bruno Fernandes he was the most dangerous player on the pitch and needed to be given the ball more often - but that was United's problem throughout.

Bruno Fernandes - 8

Tried to get his side on the front foot but it was a thankless task at times due to Brighton's midfield overwhelming the Red Devils.

He missed a brilliant chance to put the game to bed with 20 minutes to go but redeemed himself when he fired in United's second, which was more or less the last kick of the game.

The attacking midfielder really came alive when the game was stretched and he put the ball on a plate for Ronaldo to score only for the No 7 to head wide.

Anthony Elanga - 5

Struggled to get into the match but was up against a tough opponent in Cucurella, who had a very good game.

But he did make a vital contribution that allowed United to take control, pinching the ball off Lewis Dunk whose resulting foul on Elanga led to his dismissal.

Cristiano Ronaldo - 8

Looked frustrated with his team-mates yet again after missed chances in the first half.

So he took matters into his own hands shortly after half-time, taking on a couple of Brighton defenders before smashing the ball into the bottom corner.

But he could have had a hat-trick with two headed chances - one was brilliantly saved by Sanchez but the other he flashed wide when he really should have found the back of the net.

Subs - Paul Pogba (for Fred, 73) - 6

Made an immediate impact off the bench with blocked shot before playing in Fernandes with a beautifully weighted pass.

Kept possession well which was exactly what was needed, provided a platform for Fernandes to attack in search of the killer second goal which finally came in the dying seconds.