Brighton boss Graham Potter makes Cristiano Ronaldo wish ahead of Manchester United meeting

Brighton manager Graham Potter says he hopes Cristiano Ronaldo has an off day when Manchester United take on his side this weekend.

Four points in their final two games will see the Old Trafford outfit secure at least Europa League football next season. However, two points from Arsenal in their four remaining fixtures will mathematically dissolve United’s top four dreams.

It has been an underwhelming season for the club, who have had very little to boast about apart from Ronaldo, who has scored 24 goals this season. Ahead of United ’s tie with Brighton, Potter hailed the Portugal captain as “sensational”, praising his capabilities even at 37.

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He said: "I have been so impressed with him. How he's played, how he's helped his team. He's scoring goals, his movement is sensational. You can see how his career's developed from wide to now centrally and how that can help him now.

"Obviously he is not getting any younger but you still retain your brain and football understanding and his finishing is clinical as you'll get. Great experience for our players.”

Tongue in cheek, he added: “Hopefully he doesn't have such a good day at the Amex on Saturday."

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