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Manchester United 1-3 Brighton: Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro add to miserable week at Old Trafford
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Published 16/09/2023 at 15:39 GMT+1
Manchester United’s woes continued as they were comprehensively beaten 3-1 by Brighton at Old Trafford. Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro all found the target for the stunning Seagulls and despite Hannibal Mejbri’s consolation goal for the home side, were able to see out a comfortable win against Erik ten Hag’s side, who also saw their 31-match unbeaten home run in all competitions ended.
‘Very disappointed’ - Ten Hag denies Manchester United in crisis after Brighton defeat
Video credit: SNTV
Danny Welbeck returned to haunt Manchester United by scoring his first goal of the season in Brighton's assured 3-1 victory against his old club at Old Trafford.
Roberto De Zerbi's accomplished men move up to fourth in the Premier League table, three points behind leaders Manchester City, after producing another slick performance in claiming an almost flawless fourth win of the campaign.
Welbeck converted an inviting cross from Simon Adingra on 20 minutes after a delightful dummy by Adam Lallana to enable the incoming former England forward to finish expertly from seven yards.
United thought they had equalised via Rasmus Hojlund's finish on 40 minutes, but VAR deemed Marcus Rashford had failed to keep the ball in play from the cutback.
Pascal Gross added the second with another fine low finish on 53 minutes from Tariq Lamptey's pass before the creative Lamptey picked out substitute Joao Pedro to rifle a superb third for the visitors on 71 minutes.
United substitute Hannibal Mejbri drilled home a consolation from distance for Erik ten Hag's outclassed side two minutes later.
Brighton have won their last four league games against United as they also brutally ended their 31-match unbeaten home run in all competitions.
TALKING POINT: Can Roberto De Zerbi's side mount a title challenge?
Much of the talk before this match focussed on United coach Erik ten Hag and his issues with dropped winger Jadon Sancho, who criticised his manager following the 3-1 defeat at Arsenal a fortnight ago.
While it is easy to berate United for their tactics in defeat, a lot of the credit should go to the display of Brighton, a slick, composed and clinical side who continue to impress with their strategic excellence in the Premier League.
They made six changes from the side that filleted Newcastle 3-1 at the Amex a fortnight ago. Yet still collected the three points with plenty to spare.
Brighton finished sixth last season to qualify for the UEFA Europa League, but you do wonder what is realistic for them to improve under their erudite coach De Zerbi this year?
They are up to fourth in the table, only three points behind leaders Manchester City and one off second-placed Tottenham and Liverpool. Is it absurd to envisage Brighton challenging for the title this season?
Improbable yes, impossible no. Leicester City showed what can be achieved with genuine momentum in 2016, and this expressive, energised Brighton side are playing as well as any team among England's elite at the moment.
PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Tariq Lamptey (Brighton)
The young full-back was booked early in the match for a late challenge on Diogo Dalot, but progressed to enjoy a fabulous afternoon at Old Trafford.
Never stopped running to support his side's natural attacking instincts, and played provider twice for the delightful finishes by Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro in the second half.
So many fine performers for Brighton in this comprehensive victory at Old Trafford, but Lamptey illustrated effectively their willingness to work for each other.
PLAYER RATINGS
Manchester United: André Onana 7, Lisandro Martínez 6, Victor Lindelöf 6, Sergio Reguilón 6, Diogo Dalot 6, Christian Eriksen 6, Scott McTominay 6, Casemiro 6, Rasmus Højlund 7, Marcus Rashford 7, Bruno Fernandes 6 Subs: Hannibal 7, Aaron Wan-Bissaka 6, Facundo Pellistri 6, Anthony Martial 6, Alejandro Garnacho 6
Brighton & Hove Albion: Jason Steele 7, Lewis Dunk 8, Jan Paul van Hecke 8, Joël Veltman 8, Tariq Lamptey 8, Adam Lallana 7, Mahmoud Dahoud 7, Pascal Gross 8, Danny Welbeck 8, Kaoru Mitoma 8, Simon Adingra 8 Subs: James Milner 6, Evan Ferguson 6, Billy Gilmour 6, Ansu Fati 7, João Pedro 8
MATCH HIGHLIGHTS
20' GOAL FOR BRIGHTON! Welbeck fires the visitors ahead against his old club. A lovely flowing move from Brighton. Simon Adingra with the cross, dummied by Adam Lallana and Welbeck arrives to net from seven yards. First goal of the season from Welbeck.
40' EQUALISER FOR UNITED! NO GOAL VIA VAR Or is it? Looks like Rashford has carried the ball beyond the line. Great cutback and Rasmus Hojlund is on hand to turn and slide home the leveller for his first United goal. But the ball was out.
53' GOAL FOR BRIGHTON! Another fabulous move and finish from the visitors as Gross arrives to slam the ball low and hard into the net. Such good passing movements from the visitors. Tariq Lamptey with the pass. Such a great finish. They lead 2-0.
71' A THIRD GOAL FOR BRIGHTON! What a finish that is from Pedro, his first touch of the match since coming on. Tariq Lamptey with the pass for Pedro. And he opened up his body to finish in style. So clinical. They lead 3-0.
73' A GOAL BACK FOR UNITED! Hannibal Mejbri thumps a blistering shot low into the corner of the net from 25 yards. A magnificent finish from distance. No chance for Steele diving low to his left.
KEY STAT
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