It Felt so Nice, They've Done it Thrice- Manchester United Win Again

Manchester United secure all three points, beating Brighton on Saturday evening under the floodlights at Old Trafford 4-2.

Match Report

After the jubilation of beating bitter rivals Liverpool on hostile territory last time out, this weekend saw a return home for United. The visitors, often bogey side Brighton. A side who have had unprecedented success against the Red Devils in seasons gone by, and would be sure to pose a significant test to Ruben Amorim's improving United.

Given the poor record against the Seagulls, and with nerves visible from home fans at kick off, it was important that the Reds got off to a strong start. The early exchanges saw United; as is becoming customary, start brightly.

They were unlucky not to be awarded a penalty as Amad appeared to be brought down in the area, but replays and review at Stockley Park deemed there to be contact on the ball. This despite taking a big chunk of the United player, a decision many around Old Trafford and watching at home would feel aggrieved not to have been awarded.

Despite this decision going against United, the reds kept playing their game and it wasn't too long before they were rewarded for their play. As Cunha opened his Manchester United account with a beautiful sweeping strike from the outside of the area teed up by fellow countrymen Casemiro. A moment that clearly meant the world to Cunha who has been a standout performer since his summer arrival, without finding the net himself.

Casemiro went assistor to goal scorer himself as he himself wouldn't have to wait to long to see his own name on the score sheet. The Brazilian veteran midfielder produces his own speculative shot which took the most wicked of deflections to leave Verbruggen stranded as the ball rolled slowly and agonisingly from a Brighton perspective into the goal.

It wasn't all one way traffic as Lammens was called into action a few times and made some smart saves of his own. But as the whistle blew for half time United found themselves two goals to the good, and with the majority of the games momentum.

The second half took similar shape to that of the first, but without United being able to add to their lead. That was until (not so) new boy and other summer signing Mbeumo got himself in on the goal scoring act. As he drove a shot low and hard into the net, using Dunk as a shield and bending it round the defender. 3-0 to the jubilation of the famous Stretford End surely game over.

Or was it? As moments later Danny Welbeck; as so regularly is when he returns to play Manchester United. Smashed his free kick over the wall beating Lammens for pace. With over ten minutes left plus stoppage time. They couldn't, could they?

Things were about to get more nervy for those wearing red. As 7 Minutes appeared on the fourth officials board Amorim's facial expression and the groans around Old Trafford told you exactly what United thought of that.

With that being said, what felt inevitable became a reality not long after. As Brighton swung in a corner from the right hand side. The Seagulls young Greek substitute Kostoulas manged to get in front of his man and nod home. With 5 minutes still remaining, that question of could they got even stronger, and the nerves around Old Trafford were palpable.

That was until Mbeumo was played through one on one, with Fernandes playing a big part in leaving the ball to roll beautifully into the path of the Cameroonian, a non-assist of the season contender. Pressure, what pressure? As he lifted it effortlessly over the Brighton keeper. To wild scenes in the Stretford End, an end that clearly has a new hero, and the man himself was clearly enjoying the moment as he nonchalantly nodded with a rye smile. One that signalled 'never in doubt.'

The whistle blows and United secure their third win on the bounce. A win that will have all fans asking the same question, 'are we back?' A question that might be just that little bit louder having enjoyed other results over the weekend as Liverpool, Manchester City and Chelsea all lost their matches. Results which see United move into 6th place. Above title favourites Liverpool and on level points with City.

Calls will inevitably be to not get too carried away, but one thing is for sure. It's been an extremely enjoyable weekend for fans of the red side of Manchester. Credit must be given too to the United boss who has faced unscrupulous amounts of criticism since his arrival.