Back to back to back. With a Bryan Mbuemo brace to seal the deal, Manchester United and its fans can take a breath and enjoy the moment. The Brazilian pairing of Matheus Cunha and Casemiro also appeared on the score sheet.
Well-worked goals, and with a slightly unsettled final few minutes. There's not too much that can truly capture the common occurrence United have faced in their climb of the Premier League Table. After seeing off Liverpool at Anfield, nerves were all around as to whether United to carry on their form at home.
An away game awaits United, as they journey to Nottingham Forrest on Saturday, 1st of November.
With high expectations, United started strong and pressed high to unsettle Brighton in every possible moment. Taking the ball off The Albion defenders or pouncing on a bobbled pass, the hungry Reds were ready to earn those three points.
Ending the first half at 2-0 and then getting to 3 in the second, you would think the three points were already secured. Ruben Amorim made his subs to almost illustrate this fact. But after, you would think the air was almost whipped out of the United side. Silly mistakes, cracks formed, and goals were conceded.
A final push was called for just to ease the panic.
The general idea that United should follow is to secure wins by the necessary means possible. To keep your foot firmly on the peddle and bury the opposition in goals. United and their fans still have nightmares about what goal difference can do to your title hopes.
Without further ado, lets get into the player ratings.
Benjamin Sesko** - 7.5**
Sesko had a great presence on the pitch and found his lane later in the game. He was fed the ball often but couldn’t convert the clear-cut chances.
Moments were rushed, and a goal to be added to his tally was definitely on the cards. Leaving the game with an assist to surge the United fanbase, but also with an avoidable yellow card. Useful, but missing that final stamp.
Matheus Cunha -** 8.5**
Similar to his performance against Liverpool in terms of his enthusiasm and ability to stir the match with a delectable performance. Getting a goal to grow the legend for the 26-year-old. A high passing and defensive rate from the Brazilian. Diving tackles, should drops, nutmegs and a goal—a well-wrapped performance with a tidy red bow.
Bryan Mbuemo** - 9.5**
Where do you even start? Initially starting as a support role for Sesko and Cunha to get them further forward and into the mix. Then later, adopting the attacking role himself to score and later slam that nail into the coffin when the game started to open up for Brighton.
Bruno Fernandes -** 8**
The United captain led the game well on his 300th appearance. The engine in the middle is still firing on all cylinders. High passing percentages added to his solid match. Fernandes picked his moments well to get shots on goal and added to the pressure on the **Brighton**backline.
Casemiro - 8.5
Solid performance to show for it. Casemiro played brilliant line-breaking passes and looked to be progressive on the half-turn to really push the tempo of the game, with the balls being played behind.
The occasional misstep was covered up with his goal contributions. Despite his age always being a barrier, his continuation of being a technician in the middle of the park shows through.
Diogo Dalot** - 6.5**
**Dalot**was decent enough. Performances have been slow and not as efficient as we all once thought. He fits a role that Ruben Amorim appears to be content with.
Amad Diallo** - 7**
The partnership he forms with Mbuemo on the wing is always a sight to see. Finding a regular start on the right-hand side again. Great work rate in getting back and helping out when needed.
Sometimes overestimated due to his size defensively, but Amad truly shows desire in wanting to win the ball back up and hold up the football. Barrelling down the wing to put a pass across the box
Leny Yoro** - 7**
Good to see him back in the lineup again. He was there to clear up the nonsense and be an outlet when the ball was recycled. Brighton clearly took note of his prowess in the second half as the focus of their attacks started coming down the opposite side.
His brilliance shines through when defending in his own goal or when he finds himself having to carry the ball towards the other end.
Luke Shaw -** 7.5**
Two instrumental pieces of defending that lead to goals. It was great to see him picking up the player as the ball was in transit. The high pressure rattled Brighton and led to multiple turnovers.
Matthijs de Ligt - 7
Great to see **De Ligt**play the full 90 minutes and impose his will on the game. Solid in the back and pairing with Shaw and Yoro, De Ligt was good at relaxing the backline and keeping the clean sheet for the majority of the game.
Senne Lammens** - 7**
A comfortable pair of hands in between the sticks. Coming out to claim corners. Composed on the ball, nothing flashy, not a moment where you think ‘he is doing too much’. All you can ask of him is maybe a stronger hand, as his fingertips got bent back on the free kick from Danny Welbeck.
Substitutes:
Joshua Zirkzee -** 6.5**
A Bit sleepy when United conceded the second goal. But apart from that, he was calm and composed. I’m sure he was excited to touch the pitch again. Good when presented with the ball and looking to bolster the score even further.
Kobbie Mainoo** - 6.5**
Usually, ghosting around the pitch and making an impact when needed. For what the score was, it would not have been a hard ask to see him more energetic and looking hungrier to show his promise in front of the Old Trafford faithful.
Patrick Dorgu** - 5**
His off-the-bench performances have been lacking a lot lately, as is one-footedness has become a big disadvantage in his game, while jogging back when out of possession does not make for great watching or belief that he is the selection long term.
Giving the ball away from a United corner, resulting in The Seagulls counterattack, giving away a foul and lucky to get away with only a yellow. Then that foul resulted in conceding. With the clean sheet being hard-fought for. It was truly disappointing to see it go up in flames.
Ayden Heaven** - 7**
The youngster came on and got an assist. You really can't ask for much more. Maybe for him to cover the aerial threats on a corner, but maybe that’s too presumptuous and idealistic. Still an option which is welcomed when you see his number on the electronic substitution board. He’ll have opportunities afforded to him, and we can only sit back and cross our fingers.
Manuel Ugarte -** 6.5**
Felt like a quick shift for him, but he dug in and did what was asked of him. Good energy and eager to please, often putting his body in front of the ball or a player to cut out the play.