Brighton continued their winning ways against Manchester United with a deserved win at Old Trafford this afternoon.
On a day when United honored the memory of the great Denis Law, who passed away on Friday, the Seagulls emerged as worthy winners while Ruben Amorim’s woes continued with another lackluster performance from his side.
Yankuba Minteh gave Brighton the lead and although Bruno Fernandes equalized from the penalty spot, Kauro Mitoma and Georginio Rutter added goals for Fabian Hurzeler’s side in the second half.
FT: ALBION WINS AGAIN AT OLD TRAFFORD! 🙌
(1-3) 📲 #MUNBHA // #BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/PjwnJQwfM5
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 19, 2025
Shambolic Onana symbolizes United’s problems
Rutter’s goal came after a terrible mistake from United goalkeeper Andre Onana and highlighted the hosts’ plight as they lost to Brighton for the eighth time in 16 Premier League games.
United came into the game with plenty of momentum after Amad Diallo’s late hat-trick beat Southampton on Thursday night, but the atmosphere broke early when Mitoma stormed past Noussair Mazraoui and laid a cross for Minteh to bring on.
Fernandes came close to equalizing with a shot that went wide before the Portugal international equalized from the penalty spot.
A loose pass from Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen was intercepted by Diallo, who played it to the recalled Joshua Zirkzee, but the Dutchman was tackled to the ground by Carlos Baleba.
Fernandes sent Verbruggen the wrong way from twelve meters and rolled it into the bottom left corner.
Brighton largely played on the counterattack, but this approach paid off and they almost restored their lead just before half-time.
Minteh beat Dany Welbeck in the penalty area but the former United striker was unable to score on his return to Old Trafford as he made a brilliant block from defender Diogo Dalot.
Attempt ruled out by VAR
Eight minutes after the restart, Brighton thought they had scored again. Joao Pedro scored after United failed to clear Yasin Ayari’s free-kick, but the goal was canceled by VAR following a foul by Jan Paul van Hecke on Dalot.
However, after an hour they were undeniable.
Minteh played the ball to the far post and Mitoma did enough to fend off Mazraoui’s challenge and slot the ball in.
United looked for another equalizer but Zirkzee’s shot after a rapid run from Diallo was blocked by Van Hecke.
It would prove to be a crucial moment as Brighton promptly went down at the other end, ending the game with a third goal.
Onana thought he had averted the danger by coming out to collect Ayari’s cross, but after initially claiming it, he released the ball and Rutter had the simple task of firing into the empty net.
Amorim backed Antony, who is close to ending his miserable spell at United with a move to Real Betis, and Rasmus Hojlund, which breathed some life back into United’s attacking game.
Diallo forced Verbruggen to stop low before substitute Alejandro Garnacho, who was also a substitute, shot well past the goal.
However, their efforts failed as Brighton held their own with relative ease, handing United their fourth defeat in seven games in all competitions.
The Seagulls are in ninth place, just four points off the Champions League places, while United are in 13th.
