Man Utd 2-0 Brighton: Relief at Old Trafford as Champions League hopes boosted

It wasn't just the cheers of relief as Bruno Fernandes' match-sealing second goal hit the net that gave the game away.

The actions of the normally studious Ralf Rangnick had done so a couple of minutes earlier as Brighton pushed determinedly towards the United goal looking for an injury-time equaliser.

As Graham Potter waved his arms to tell his team to go forward, Rangnick was equally decisive in telling his players to go back.

After three successive games in which his side had held a lead, then lost it, the German did not want it happening again.

Following Cristiano Ronaldo's sensational opener, at home, and to opponents reduced to 10 men with over half an hour remaining following Brighton captain Lewis Dunk's red card, anything but victory was unthinkable.

«Big,» said Rangnick, when asked about both the importance of the victory and maintaining a place in the top four, which United have moved into again as a result of their 2-0 win.

«We still have quite a few games to play but this was a very important win for us.»

An imbalance in the number of fixtures United have played, compared to Arsenal, Wolves and Tottenham, means their present position is not remotely secure.

But they have given their rivals something to chase and, as they approach next month's potentially pivotal games against Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool, they have hope.

Given the enormity of the prize, that is something at least.

In pure finance terms, quite a lot.

So far this season, United have earned €35.5m (£29.8m) in prize money in reaching the last 16 of the Champions League — they travel to Atletico Madrid in the first leg of their tie on Wednesday, 23 February.

Had they achieved the same results in reaching the last 16 of the Europa League, the