Second-half goals from Mason Greenwood and Marcus Rashford maintained Manchester United’s second spot with a 2-1 win against battling Brighton & Hove Albion at Old Trafford.
Bruno Fernandes fired over and Greenwood hit the post in a lively opening by the home side.
But it was Brighton who took the lead on 13 minutes when Danny Welbeck fired home against his former club after his initial header had been parried by goalkeeper Dean Henderson.
Brighton had opportunities to add a second but Harry Maguire’s last-ditch tackle denied Neal Maupay moments before Jakub Moder’s deflected shot rolled inches wide before the break.
Man Utd levelled on 62 minutes, Fernandes driving forward and playing in Rashford, who guided the ball into the far corner.
United pushed for a winner and with seven minutes remaining, Greenwood secured victory with a close-range header to divert Paul Pogba’s scuffed shot beyond Robert Sanchez’s reach.
Man Utd remain second, 14 points off leaders Manchester City with a match in hand. Brighton stay in 16th, six points clear of the relegation zone.