Manchester United vs Brighton LIVE: Premier League result and final score after Ronaldo ends goal drought

Ralf Rangnick makes just two changes to the Manchester United team that drew 1-1 with Southampton at the weekend. Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba drop to the bench with Fred taking his place alongside Scott McTominay and Anthony Elanga earning a place in the starting line-up.

Graham Potter makes three changes to the Brighton team that defeated Watford 2-0 last time out. Danny Welbeck, Adam Lallana and Tariq Lamptey all drop to the bench with Yves Bissouma, Alexis MacAllister and Leandro Trossard coming into the team.

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, McTominay, Fernandes, Elanga, Sancho, Ronaldo

Brighton XI: Sanchez, Cucurella, Webster, Dunk, Veltman, Trossard, Bissouma, Gross, Moder, MacAllister, Maupay

Brighton boss Graham Potter has no doubts about the enduring quality of Cristiano Ronaldo and is relishing the challenge of a first meeting with “one of the best players of all time”.

Potter will reach 100 games in Premier League management on Tuesday evening when in-form Albion take on Manchester United at Old Trafford.

United star Ronaldo has come in for criticism in recent weeks, having failed to score in six successive games in all competitions – his longest barren run in 12 years.

Ralf Rangnick confirmed that Fred would be available for tonight’s game versus Brighton and also that Alex Telles will be included in the squad.

Telles and Luke Shaw have been vying for the left-back starting role so it will be interesting to see if Shaw can keep his place in the starting XI. Rangnick said:

Manchester United come into the match in fifth place trailing West Ham (4^th) by one point. They would move ahead of the Hammers with victory, but anything less would keep them outside of the top four due to the London club’s superior goal difference. The race for the top four is close and sees Arsenal, Tottenham and Wolves with games in hand on Man Utd so Ralf Rangnick’s men can’t afford to drop anymore points.

Brighton may be thinking about a spot in Europe next season as well. Although they are currently ninth, they are only three points behind Tottenham and also have a game in hand on Manchester United. A victory tonight would see them move above Spurs on goal difference and put them within five points of West Ham and a place in the top four.

Brighton manager, Graham Potter, spoke briefly about the squad’s injury list and was happy to report that only two players were unable to make tonight’s game. Enock Mwepu and Jeremy Sarmiento will both miss the game but Potter is hopeful that Mwepu will be fit again soon. He said:

Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick will be desperate for a win tonight following three consecutive 1-1 draws which saw the Red Devils take the lead and then concede second half equalisers. Middlesbrough knocked United out of the FA Cup on penalties this way before Burnley and Southampton both secured points in the Premier League.

Brighton are undefeated in seven Premier League matches a run that goes back to December 15^th. The Seagulls have won three and drawn four during that time. Their last outing saw them cruise past Watford 2-0 thanks to goals from Neal Maupay and Adam Webster.

Manchester United’s Nemanja Matic is a doubt due to a shin injury and Edinson Cavani is still troubled by the groin problem that saw him miss the match against Southampton. However, Fred is available again after completing his Covid-19 isolation.

Enock Mwepu and Jeremy Sarmiento are both still absent for Brighton who will be boosted by the return of Yves Bissouma from the Africa Cup of Nations.

There are no further injury concerns for Graham Potter’s men.

Follow live coverage as Manchester United host Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League tonight.

Ralf Rangnick’s side are in desperate need of three points as they bid to stay in the race for Champions League football. United have led 1-0 at half-time in their past three fixtures only to be pegged back after the interval, something Rangnick has looked to address with the help of club psychologist Sascha Lense. The second-half setbacks have seen the Red Devils knocked out of the FA Cup on penalties by Middlesbrough and drop Premier League points with 1-1 draws against Burnley and Southampton.

Rangnick’s opposite number Graham Potter has gained plenty of plaudits for Brighton’s style of play and slick performances and has his in-form side flying high in ninth place ahead of Tuesday’s milestone match, his 100th top-flight game in charge of the Seagulls.