Looking to build upon their slender win against Nottingham Forest before the international break, Manchester United welcomed Brighton to Old Trafford on Saturday. The Seagulls have enjoyed a near-perfect start to the season, winning three of their four matches ahead of this afternoon’s clash.
MUN: Onana; Reguilon, Martinez, Lindelof, Dalot; Casemiro; Eriksen, McTominay; Fernandes; Rashford, Højlund
BHA: Steele; Lamptey, Dunk, van Hecke, Veltman; Dahoud, Groß; Mitoma, Lallana, Adingra; Welbeck
The hosts started strongly in the first half, with Jason Steele forced into action to deny Marcus Rashford from a tight angle – but the visitors seemed to settle as the half wore on, and Tariq Lamptey could have handed the Seagulls the lead if he hadn’t blasted wide of the target.
But Roberto De Zerbi’s side wouldn’t be given the opportunity to rue their missed chances, as they found themselves in the lead after just twenty minutes. Simon Adingra’s cross from the right flank was dummied by Adam Lallana, allowing Danny Welbeck to steer past Andre Onana from close range.
The goalscorer could have completed his brace soon after on his return to his former club, but the forward was only able to send his effort curling over the woodwork – and the visitors would have to settle for a slender lead at the break.
But just eight minutes into the second half, Pascal Groß doubled the Brighton advantage. Kaoru Mitoma played Tariq Lamptey through on the left flank, with the defender playing a cute pass through for Groß whose effort nestled beautifully in the bottom corner from twelve yards out.
Bruno Fernandes could have reduced the deficit with a long-range effort, though ultimately it was the Seagulls that found the next breakthrough courtesy of Joao Pedro. Once more, Tariq Lamptey was involved in the buildup play, darting down the left flank before finding the Brazilian on the edge of the box – and the former Watford man tucked a tidy effort past the United shotstopper.
Hannibal Mejbri was able to secure a late consolation goal for United with just under twenty minutes remaining, but the Red Devils failed to truly threaten the Seagulls – and Brighton continued to resemble the stronger side as Ansu Fati and Evan Ferguson both saw shots saved by Andre Onana.
Both teams will compete in midweek, with Manchester United in desperate need of a regrouping ahead of their trip to Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Brighton will host AEK Athens on Thursday, and we’ll have comprehensive match reports for both fixtures within minutes of the final whistle.
