Ralf Rangnick hails Cristiano Ronaldo’s ‘amazing’ goal as Manchester United beat Brighton

Ralf Rangnick said Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal in Manchester United’s 2-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion was ‘amazing’, and claimed the attacker produced his best performance of recent weeks.

The 37-year-old had gone six games without a goal prior to the Seagulls’ trip to Old Trafford on Tuesday night, but his 51st-minute rocket set his side on the way to a first win in four.

It clearly meant a great deal to an emotional Ronaldo, who reacted so passionately to the ball hitting the back of the net he forgot to do his trademark celebration.

The Red Devils went on to take the three points after Lewis Dunk was sent off for hauling down Anthony Elanga at the edge of the area, while Bruno Fernandes added a second goal in injury-time.

But speaking after the game, it was the midfielder’s international team-mate who was reserved for special praise from Rangnick.

“Yes, that was an amazing goal,” he told reporters in his post-match press conference. “Not only an important one but an amazing goal.

“Overall, it was also a good performance by Cristiano. Energetically, he was online, he was always trying to help the other team-mates. I think, in the last weeks, that’s definitely the best performance by him and a very, very important goal for us.”

Ronaldo also took to social media to share his delight at being among the goals again. “Back on track,” he tweeted. “Nobody gives up and there’s only one way to get back on track: hard work, team work, serious work. Everything else is just noise. Let’s go Devils!”

The win means United move back into fourth, although the chasing pack of Arsenal, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur all have games in hand, while fifth-place West Ham United are only two points behind the Red Devils.