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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Dominic Booth & Richard Fay & Tyrone Marshall & Jack Flintham

Manchester United sent warning about top four race and fixtures after Leeds and Watford

Manchester United returned to winning ways on Tuesday night when they defeated Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford.

It was not a vintage performance, especially in the first half by United, but goals from Cristiano Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes, plus a red card for Lewis Dunk, helped the home side secure an important three points.

The victory has left many pondering what United can achieve this season, having been knocked out of the FA Cup a few weeks ago.

That question was also on the lips of MEN Sport's Manchester is Red podcast hosts Dominic Booth, Rich Fay and Tyrone Marshall. Here's the transcript from their discussion about United's hopes for the campaign.

RF: "If United manage to finish fourth that is the most success they can get now and results like this will just be swept underneath the carpet.

"It was not pretty, United weren't good enough, you need to ask serious questions after you win as well as after you lose.

"For most fans [yesterday's result] was just a relief for them. It was not the perfect performance."

DB: "I am not sure how many perfect performances there have been this season for United.

"A Facebook comment flashed up on our screen Ty saying a 'complete lack of urgency and desire to score goals. We will be lucky to hold onto fourth.'

"It alludes to what Richard is saying though that no team wants to grab onto this fourth place.

"What is your inkling on how that will pan out and how United can make it their own and go on a bit of a run?"

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST IN FULL HERE:

TM: "The issue is that 'the run' has been these fixtures. Rangnick could not have picked a better 14 games.

"The hardest game he has faced has been West Ham at home, the second hardest is probably Villa away — to get a run of 11 fixtures like that in the Premier League is an absolute dream.

"United just have not done enough in them.

"It does feel like they could have run away with it but it also that opportunity might have gone.

"They have Leeds and Watford but after that their fixture list in March gets a whole lot harder.

"It feels like an insult to races by calling it a race to be honest but you would rather have the points on the board given the form of the other teams.

"United are still in a decent position but they have had the chance to run away with it."

United return to action on Sunday when they travel to Leeds in the Premier League.

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