FootyChatter.com

This video can not be played Man Utd put four past Brighton for third successive win At a glance Matheus Cunha scores his first goal for Man Utd Casemiro's deflected effort doubles the home side's lead Bryan Mbeumo scores for the second successive game Danny Welbeck pulls one back against his old club Charalampos Kostoulas gets another for Brighton Mbeumo seals it deep in stoppage time Bryan Mbeumo scored twice as Manchester United survived a late scare against Brighton to claim a third successive Premier League win for the first time since February 2024, moving them up to fourth in the table. United were cruising after an hour thanks to goals from Matheus Cunha, who broke his 16-match scoring drought by netting for the first time for his new club, Casemiro's deflected effort and Mbeumo's neat finish. But Danny Welbeck's brilliant free-kick pulled one back against his old club with 16 minutes left. Then, two minutes into the seven added, Charalampos Kostoulas flicked home a near-post header. Suddenly there were some worried faces in the United ranks and it took an even later effort from Mbeumo, drilled into the roof of the net from 12 yards, to ease the tension. They may only stay there for a matter of hours but United suddenly find themselves in a much better state than three weeks ago, when it was felt by many a home defeat by Sunderland would have left head coach Ruben Amorim clinging to his job. Now there is a hint of swagger about Amorim's team, who should have won by more and certainly with no need for the worries at the end. Cunha's first goal for club or country since April was superb, taking Casemiro's short pass on the edge of the area before curling an inch-perfect low shot into the bottom corner. Casemiro benefitted from a huge slice of luck for the second when his shot, which might have been off target, struck Yasin Ayari on the back, completely wrong-footing Bart Verbruggen as it flew into the opposite corner. Verbruggen denied Benjamin Sesko and Bruno Fernandes, who was making his 300th United appearance, before Mbeumo followed his goal at Liverpool by driving home his third of the season after an hour. Welbeck's brilliant free-kick followed a Patrick Dorgu foul on Yankuba Minteh the Brighton bench were adamant should have resulted in a red card. Referee Anthony Taylor gave a yellow, video assistant referee (VAR) Michael Oliver agreed. Who knows what would have happened if he hadn't. As it turned out, Brighton scored again anyway. But so did United, who took the points - again. This video can not be played Man Utd are in a better position to respond to difficult moments - Amorim United's recruitment policy has been criticised so much in recent years, much of it with good reason. But in prioritising the signings of Cunha and Mbeumo this summer, they got it spot on. Even at a combined cost of almost £130m, the pair look like excellent value. They bring a purpose, direction and energy to United's forward line the club did not have before, which is exactly what Amorim wanted. Much like Fernandes, they are happy to take risks and, unlike Rasmus Hojlund, they are a real goal threat. Cunha will be delighted to have got off the mark and Mbeumo now has five. When United officials spoke about European qualification last month, most outsiders were sceptical. Now they are in a Champions League place. This video can not be played Brighton made too many 'easy mistakes' - Hurzeler Manchester United weren't that close to signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton this summer. There was no chance the Seagulls would sell the midfielder for anything like the kind of sum the Old Trafford outfit could afford. His form dipped anyway for a short time but his poise has returned in recent games as Brighton have put together their unbeaten run, and he was eager to make an impact here. It didn't happen though. Baleba seemed spooked when an early mistake almost allowed Cunha to set up Mbeumo, and he never got to grips with the rest of the game. Baleba was dominated in an area of the pitch where United are supposed to be weak. He was forced to bring countryman Mbeumo down after being caught out of possession and his only threat on the home goal was off target. A night to forget was brought to an end after less than an hour when he was replaced by James Milner. Baleba is a better player than he showed but as Old Trafford auditions go, it was not good. Manchester United's next game is at Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Saturday, 1 November (15: 00 GMT). Brighton play Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium in the EFL Cup on Wednesday 29, October (19: 45 GMT). Their next Premier League game is at home to Leeds, also on 1 November (15: 00 GMT). Have your say on Man Utd's performance What did you make of Brighton's performance? Comments can not be loaded To load Comments you need to enable Java Script in your browser Last Updated 25th October 2025 at 22: 09 Please Note: All times UK. Tables are subject to change. The BBC is not responsible for any changes that may be made. Manager: Ruben Amorim Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Fabian Hürzeler Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Manager: Ruben Amorim Formation: 3 - 4 - 2 - 1 Manager: Fabian Hürzeler Formation: 4 - 2 - 3 - 1 Premier League All competitions All competitions All competitions Manchester United have lost six of their last seven league games against Brighton (W1), double the amount they’d lost against them in their first 17 league meetings (W12 D2 L3). Brighton have won each of their last three Premier League away games against Manchester United – the last side to win more consecutive league visits to Old Trafford were Manchester City between 1968 and 1972 (5). Thanks to a 2-0 win against Sunderland, and a 2-1 win against Liverpool, Manchester United have won consecutive Premier League games under Ruben Amorim for the first time. They last won three in a row in May/August 2024, while they last did so in the same season in February earlier that year (4). Manchester United have won their last three Premier League home games, as many as in their previous 13 at Old Trafford (D2 L8). They last won more consecutively between April and August 2023 (8), though that run was stopped by a 3-1 defeat to Brighton. Brighton have kept just one clean sheet in their last 20 Premier League games, a 2-0 win at Wolves in May. The Seagulls have lost just two of their last 13 league games, however (W7 D4). Despite winning three of their eight Premier League games this season, and leading in two of their three draws (L2), Brighton have spent a lower share of their game time winning (24. 1%) than any other game state this term (38. 1% losing, 37. 8% drawing). Bruno Fernandes has just three goal involvements in the Premier League this season (2 goals, 1 assist), though these have been worth six points to Manchester United. Only Antoine Semenyo’s (9) and Jack Grealish’s (7) goals and assists have been worth more points for their side this term. Man Utd’s Bryan Mbeumo has only been involved in more Premier League goals against Southampton (8) than he has against Brighton (6 – 3 goals, 3 assists), with all six of these coming in his last four starts against the Seagulls. Matheus Cunha has had more shots following a ball carry than any other player in the Premier League this season (12). However, he’s still waiting for his first goal in Manchester United colours. Brighton’s Danny Welbeck has scored four goals in his last three Premier League games, more than he had in his previous 15 (3). With braces against Chelsea and Newcastle in this run, this is only the third season in which he’s scored multiple goals in more than one game after 2013-14 (2) and 2017-18 (2). Substitution, Manchester United. Kobbie Mainoo replaces Casemiro. Substitution, Manchester United. Patrick Dorgu replaces Amad Diallo. Foul by Jan Paul van Hecke (Brighton and Hove Albion). Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Handball by Danny Welbeck (Brighton and Hove Albion). Substitution, Manchester United. Ayden Heaven replaces Luke Shaw. Corner, Brighton and Hove Albion. Conceded by Matthijs de Ligt. Goal! Manchester United 3, Brighton and Hove Albion 0. Bryan Mbeumo (Manchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box to the bottom right corner. Assisted by Benjamin Sesko. Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Diego Gómez replaces Yasin Ayari. Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. Tom Watson replaces Maxim De Cuyper. Substitution, Brighton and Hove Albion. James Milner replaces Carlos Baleba. Foul by Mats Wieffer (Brighton and Hove Albion). Matheus Cunha (Manchester United) wins a free kick on the left wing. Attempt saved. Benjamin Sesko (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the centre of the goal by Bart Verbruggen (Brighton and Hove Albion). Attempt missed. Yasin Ayari (Brighton and Hove Albion) header from the centre of the box misses to the left. Assisted by Jan Paul van Hecke with a cross. Mats Wieffer (Brighton and Hove Albion) wins a free kick in the defensive half. Foul by Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United). Offside, Manchester United. Diogo Dalot is caught offside. Attempt saved. Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is saved in the bottom right corner by Bart Verbruggen (Brighton and Hove Albion). Assisted by Matheus Cunha. Attempt missed. Carlos Baleba (Brighton and Hove Albion) left footed shot from outside the box is too high. Assisted by Mats Wieffer. Copyright © 2025 BBC. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.