Manchester United have authored their first three-match winning run under Ruben Amorim thanks to a 4-2 win over Brighton and Hove Albion at Old Trafford on Saturday.
MORE — Ruben Amorim , Matheus Cunha react to win
Bryan Mbeumo scored twice and Casemiro posted a goal and an assist as United built a 3-0 win and overcame a nervy ending to deliver a home win. Matheus Cunha scored United’s other goal.
WATCH — Manchester United v Brighton full match replay
For Brighton, the goals came via a Danny Welbeck free kick— his 89th Premier League goal — and a stoppage-time header of a James Milner pass from Charalampos Kostoulas.
Man United rise into fourth place with 16 points, four points clear of 12th-place Brighton.
Front three shows Manchester United what it’s been missing
Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko were all stars on Saturday, with Mbeumo bagging a brace, Cunha grabbing a goal, and Sesko setting one up. Mbeumo will grab the headlines as he’s been buzzing around the pitch all season and is finally seeing consistent rewards, up to four goals on the Premier League season. And Cunha’s ebullient nature and big postmatch energy will also snare some publicity as he mentioned his joy at scoring at home for his favorite boyhood club. So Sesko’s good day may fly under the radar, and it also may be the most important. The 22-year-old Slovenian, after all, did not arrive at Old Trafford with the Premier League experience of Mbeumo and Cunha, so his steeper learning curve isn’t a surprise but is still carrying weight. He looks a bit more comfortable and as that grows it will only better benefit his top-four (?!?) chasing Red Devils.
What’s next?
Brighton head to Arsenal on Wednesday for a League Cup fourth round tie, then host Leeds United in the Premier League at 11am ET Saturday.
Man United get a week to prepare for an 11am Saturday trip to Nottingham Forest.
How to watch Manchester United vs Brighton live, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 12:30pm ET Saturday (October 25)
Venue: Old Trafford — Manchester
TV Channel: NBC
Streaming: Watch live on NBC.com & Stream live on Peacock
Manchester United vs Brighton final score: 4-2
Matheus Cunha 24', Casemiro 34', Bryan Mbeumo 61', 90+7', Danny Welbeck 74', Charalampos Kostoulas 90+2'
Manchester United vs Brighton live updates — by Nick Mendola
Bryan Mbeumo goal — Manchester United 4-2 Brighton
Order restored, as Amorim is caught smiling in relief .
Ayden Heaven slaps a James Milner clearance back toward the Brighton box, and Bruno Fernandes lets the ball go to Mbeumo’s run.
The United forward buries his chance and the game.
Charalampos Kostoulas goal — Manchester United 3-2 Brighton
One of the Premier League’s all-time assist men, James Milner, swings in a near-post cross and substitute Charalampos Kostoulas beats a slow Joshua Zirkzee to the ball to turn the header past Lammens.
Still five minutes of stoppage to go. Can Brighton complete the comeback?
Danny Welbeck free kick goal (video) — Manchester United 3-1 Brighton
That’s some free kick goal, as Welbeck goes over the wall and Lammens is a step slow to start his dive.
Man United subs
The Red Devils switch things up between the 65th and 70th minutes, as Kobbie Mainoo, Patrick Dorgu, ad Ayden Heaven enter for Casemiro, Diallo, and Shaw.
Bryan Mbeumo goal — Manchester United 3-0 Brighton
Oh, this is quality in set-up and finish.
Sesko gets the ball and is clever and quick to turn and find Mbeumo, who drives toward the 18 and drills a low shot to the near post of Verbruggen.
Georginio Rutter wanted a foul on Luke Shaw for a shirt-pull in the build-up but it goes unwhistled and VAR didn’t see enough to overturn it.
Halftime — Manchester United 2-0 Brighton & Hove Albion
Lots to like if you’re Ruben Amorim.
It’s been even in terms of shot attempts but United have found better danger and cashed-in one of them.
The other came via a wicked deflection but the Red Devils should feel good about their lead despite just 42% possession at home.
Casemiro with a goal and an assist as the Casemirenaissance continues at Old Trafford — The Brazilian has recorded eight defensive contributions while winning 3-of-4 duels on the ground. Shaw, Mbeumo, and Sesko have also impressed, though Sesko will lament a good chance blasted over the frame.
Carlos Baleba cautioned
The defensive midfielder pulls back Mbeumo on the shoulder at midfield and the tactical foul will see him go into the books in the 41st minute with a yellow card.
Casemiro goal — Manchester United 2-0 Brighton
Luke Shaw, fresh off a clever bit of dummy defending in his own box, helps turn over Brighton 15 yards out from the Seagulls’ box.
The ball is quickly onto the foot of Casemiro, who has a speculative dig from distance that takes a turn off a Seagull and wrongfoots Verbruggen.
Matheus Cunha goal — Manchester United 1-0 Brighton
There’s a lot to like here.
Benjamin Sesko flashes quick feet and a scooped pass that is headed toward Bruno Fernandes.
The captain defers to Casemiro, who lays off to Matheus Cunha for a fine finish across goal and inside Verbruggen’s far post.
Senne Lammens continues to impress
Man United’s new keeper is showing a command of his box.
He’s been very good in the air, a welcome change.
Still 0-0, 22'.
What a move by Cunha!
Matheus Cunha showcases fast feed to dance around a defender 10 yards outside the box.
He lashes a shot that Bart Verbruggen parries, as both keepers have had to be on their toes in what’s becoming a truly fun game.
Seagulls flashing
Brighton have manufactured some excitement on the rush.
The latest example sees Bruno Fernandes foul Yankuba Minteh without putting the Brighton man’s shot off enough to get a call in the box.
At the other end, Man United have a penalty shout go unheard.
0-0, 16'.
Brighton weathering early storm
Busy pressing from Man United early, with clear ideas on what to do when they win the ball.
A reverse pass nearly delivers a prime chance to Matheus Cunha.
Red Devils are buzzing four minutes into the game.
Manchester United lineup
Lammens, Shaw, De Ligt, Yoro, Dalot, Casemiro, Fernandes, Diallo, Cunha, Mbeumo, Sesko
Brighton & Hove Albion lineup
Verbruggen, Kadioglu, Dunk, Van Hecke, Wieffer, Baleba, Ayari, Rutter, De Cuyper, Minteh, Welbeck
Manchester United team news, focus
Amorim has no big injury issues to deal with as Lisandro Martinez is closing in on a return from his serious knee injury. The likes of Leny Yoro, Benjamin Sesko, and Patrick Dorgu will all be pushing for starts but it would be a surprise if Amorim doesn’t go with the same starting lineup which played so well at Liverpool. That means Matheus Cunha up top with Bryan Mbeumo and Mason Mount buzzing around in support, while Bruno Fernandes was exceptional and so too was new starting goalkeeper Senne Lammens. Mount, along with Harry Maguire, have minor injury concerns.
Brighton team news, focus
Injuries have hit Brighton hard for a long time now as Adam Webster, Solly March, and Jack Hinshelwood remain out. Brajan Gruda, Joel Veltman and Kaoru Mitoma have all been struggling with issues too. Former United striker Danny Welbeck continues to lead the line for Brighton and the veteran scored twice in the big win against Newcastle last weekend, while Georginio Rutter and Yankuba Minteh have been really lively in support of Welbeck.
Manchester United vs Brighton preview — by Joe Prince-Wright
Ruben Amorim’s side stuck to their gameplan superbly to record a massive 2-1 win at Liverpool which underlines their progress this season as key new signings stepped up. Now it’s all about building consistency and using that marquee win as a launchpad to be in the top four conversation all season long, with Amorim doing his best to stay in the moment and his experienced stars are excited but realistic about the work which still lies ahead.
Brighton have impressed against the big boys this season as they’ve beaten Manchester City and Chelsea, plus beat Newcastle last time out as Fabian Hurzeler’s side sit one point and one place behind United going into this weekend. They continue to punch above their weight and, like United, there is no distraction of European action this season so they will fancy a push for the top six. Also: Brighton have won six of their last seven league games against United and are definitely a bogey team for the Red Devils.
Manchester United vs Brighton prediction
This feels like a game where United will have plenty of the ball but will be a little bit open on the counter and they will give up chances. That said, the duo of Cunha and Mbeumo give them an extra dimension and should help them sneak past Brighton even though a draw is plausible. Manchester United 2-1 Brighton.
