Test past ✅.
Many saw this game against Brighton as a more important one that Liverpool due to the fact that these were the type of matches where United let themselves down after a good performance against a top side.
That wasn't the case this time round as Ruben's Reds made it back-to-back-to-back victories in the league thanks to what turned out to be quite the entertaining 4-2 triumph over the Seagulls.
Coming into this off the back of that amazing win at Anfield, we had to back that win up and boy did we. It was great to do it against Brighton as well given that they've had our number in the last few years 😁.
Starting Lineup
Happy. Unlike last week, I felt that this was a side that closer resembled the one we wanted to see as both Yoro and Sesko made returns to the team. This probably had to do with Maguire and Mount being injured but they were back all the same.
The rest of the team was at it was yet there was always the concern about the midfield pairing of Casemiro and Bruno and Dalot playing at LWB ahead of Dorgu.
First Half
Not the best of starts by the home side as after an early half chance, it was the visitors who began to control proceedings. Brighton strutted their stuff like only they can as they passed and moved the ball beautifully at times. We saw the confidence increase the more they had possession.
However, at the height of their control, it ended up being United who had the best chance of the game.
Some good play down the right by Amad saw him drive into the box only to be taken down by a Brighton defender. It looked like a stone wall penalty but upon replay, IT LOOKED LIKE A STONE WELL PENALTY!
Honestly, how on field referee Anthony Taylor and then Michael Oliver on VAR didn't give it remains a mystey. Apparently, the defender got a slight touch on the ball 🥴. Well, last week Amad got ALL of the ball but due to his follow through, a foul was given and he picked up a booking. You know who the on field ref was in that game? Michael Oliver.
I'm not saying anything 🤷♂️.
While we didn't get the outcome we wanted, it still worked out in our favour as after this foolish call, it sparked United into life and we began to create a few chances.
This persistance eventually paid off as for the first time in United colours, Cunha put the ball in the back of the net. Casemiro with the assist before his Brazilian counterpart passed the ball around a defender to score in the bottom corner.
A quite wonderful goal.
Cunha finally getting that monkey off his back.
Amorim then saw his side take control and look to be in the ascendency.
With Brighton always looking to play out from the back, this meant a chance for United to initiate the high press. This was used to good effect as Casemiro got on the ball after Shaw won it back in the final third.
The 5x Champions League then took a frankly meek shot which fortunately, had a massive deflection that wrong-footed the 'keeper and we take the 2-0 lead.
A pretty much perfect half of football for United after that masterclass at Anfield.
Second Half
With that 2-goal advantage, it wasn't surprising to see us sit back and let Brighton have more of the ball but when this tactic was working anyway, why not continue?
The Seagulls pressed on with their passing out from the back and it continued to get them in trouble. Luckily, United couldn't take advantage of it as they did with the second goal but it always gave us an opportunity.
While they had more of the ball, the away side didn't create too many clear-cut opportunities however, there was a cross from Yankuba Minteh that everyone missed, except for Lammens. The goalkeeper getting fingertips to a cross that would've snuck in. This was a crucial moment in the game because 2-1 with 30 minutes remaining may have made things more interesting.
However, there was a goal at the other end after more controversay
.
Brighton did actually move the ball well from defense and once it got to the around the halfway line, Shaw looked to have fouled a player with everyone expecting the whistle to be blown.
That whistle never came, Sesko turned with the ball, slid it into Mbeumo and he made no mistakes.
The Cameroonian bagging his 3rd goal of the season to give United the 3 points, sort of.
This was the second game in a row where we played to the whistle and the opposition seemingly didn't. Not our problem 🤷♂️.
But this is where the problems started to come in: the substitutions.
At 3-0 up in a home game, making a change or three wouldn't be seen as a negative. In fact, considering some of those who came on, you would say they were positive substitutions by Amorim.
We first saw young Heaven come on for Shaw which was then followed by Dorgu and Mainoo 5 minutes later for Amad and Casemiro. The latter two players are two most would like to see starting.
When looking at their performances off the bench though, one may change their mind.
Dorgu was almost involved straight away as a poor pass by him after a United corner was cleared put us in all sorts of danger. As he was the last man, Brighton ended up being in on goal. While Minteh's touch was heavy and easy for Lammens to gather, Dorgu did foul him and as the last man, you would've expect a straight red.
As it was Anthony Taylor though, this wasn't so. He instead gave a foul and yellow card which left all perplexed.
Brighton did take advantage of the free-kick however, as former Red Danny Welbeck got his customary goal against his former side after putting his strike in the top corner. Well when I say top corner, it was actually a lot more central than it initially appeared. Lammens ought to have done better.
But 3-1 with 20 minutes remaining, United still had this one in the bag, right?
The Seagulls were obviously pushing for another goal. With United sitting deeper as well, this invited the pressure even more. Brighton then get a corner and due to poor marking from another substitute (Zirkzee), Charalampos Kostoulas scored in the 92nd minute.
At this point you're thinking: surely this is not another Coventry?
This really was now squeaky bum.
With 5 minutes remaining of the 7 added on (don't know where 7 minutes came from), anything was possible.
Mbeumo though, had other ideas.
With a great win from Heaven (a substitute who didn't actually cock up), his pass from the halfway line was intelligently let go by Bruno and it made it's way perfectly to Mbeumo. Once more, the Cameroonian made no mistakes and put this one in the top corner to make it 4-2 and seal the deal.
A goal that relieved A LOT of pressure. Even Amorim afforded a wry smile 😅.
The game ended with this score line and in turn, saw United jump to 4th in the table, for the time being at least.
Verdict on Amorim
I think he got it spot on again. Starting lineup was more in tune with what we all wanted to see, his tactics were spot on (we knew when to press, where to press and when to go long), and I also didn't have a problem with his substitutions.
They did make the game a lot tighter than it should've been but that was more down to individual quality rather than misjusdgement from the manager.
What he's also seeing is partnerships develop throughout the team and one that is playing as a team. A second game where all players put in a strong display and why we got the deserved win.
How Amorim has managed to get everyone's heads to stay up after a relatively tough start to the season is admirable because we know how easy it is for this to drop their heads. Even in game, the past may have seen a side low on confidence and feeling as if all was against them after not getting that blatant penalty.
Instead, things went in the opposite direction and it actually spurred the team on. It was the spark that got us the win.
No one is complaining about the system, the midfield appears better and all is well. It's crazy what a couple of wins can do for you 😊.
Ratings
Lammens - 7
Yoro - 7
De Ligt - 8
Shaw - 6.5
Amad - 6.5
Cruno - 7
Casemiro - 7.5
Dalot - 6
Mbeumo - 8.5 MOTM
Cunha - 7.5
Sesko - 6
Heaven - 6
Mainoo - 5
Dorgu - 4
Ugarte - 6
Zirkzee - 5.5
Ruben Amorim - 8
Final Thoughts
Just super happy that we're on our way to title no 21. Honestly, it was bugging me how much of a head start we gave to everyone else because it felt as if it was too much 😅.
That's all sarcasm but it really is great to be feeling this way. We haven't had three wins under Amorim or indeed, in a long time. Seeing our side play good football and score some goals on top of that makes things even better.
But, this game is now in the past. We gotta go to Forest next week and make it four in a row. That's the challenge: to do it every game.
Back in the top 4 though, and that is the huge takeaway.
YANITED ✊! YANITED ✊! YANITED ✊!
Man Utd beat Brighton 4-2 | Image via Manchester United official X (@ManUtd)