BRIGHT SPARK
BRUNO FERNANDES inspired Manchester United to a 3-0 victory at Brighton last night as their quest for a Champions League place gathered further momentum on the south coast.
Fernandes, who joined United in the January transfer window and has been key to their revival, netted twice after Mason Greenwood’s fine opening goal.
Since his United debut in February, the Portuguese midfielder has been directly involved in more goals (six goals, four assists) in all competitions than any other Premier League player.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, now unbeaten in 15 games, moved above Wolves into fifth on goal difference. The Premier League’s fifth-placed team are in line to take England’s fourth Champions League position as a result of Manchester City’s European ban – although City have appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.
United, still in the FA Cup and Europa League, also have a kind run-in, with out-of-form Leicester their only opponents currently in the top half of the table. Defeat left outclassed Albion six points above the relegation places and still staring over their shoulder.
United, who made eight changes from Sunday’s FA Cup quarter-final win at Norwich, were the first to go close with Fernandes striking the base of the post. But the away side did not have to wait long to break the deadlock with Greenwood driving into the box before beating Mat Ryan at his near post with an accurate finish for his sixth Premier League goal of the season.
United doubled their lead on 29 minutes when Fernandes’ shot squirmed past Ryan and he struck again five minutes into the second half with a sizzling finish after a counter-attack.
Albion strived for a consolation but David De Gea made fine saves to deny Aaron Connolly and Neal Maupay.