Brighton continued their dominance of Manchester United with a deserved win at Old Trafford this afternoon.
On a day when United commemorates the great Denis Law, who died on Friday, the Seagulls ran out worthy winners as Ruben Amorim’s worries continued with another lackluster display from his side.
Giancuba Mide put Brighton ahead and, although Bruno Fernandes equalized from the penalty spot, Kauro Mitoma and Georginio Rutter added second-half goals for Fabian Herscheler’s side.
FT: ALBION WIN 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 error from United goalkeeper Andre Onana and summed up the home side’s misery as they lost to Brighton for the eighth time in 16 Premier League games.
United came into the game with plenty of momentum following Amad Diallo’s hat-trick to beat Southampton on Thursday night, but the atmosphere fizzled early on when Mitoma slotted past Noussair Mazraoui and slotted home for Minteh to beat.
Fernandes had already gone close to equalizing with a shot that flashed wide before the Portugal international equalized from the spot.
A loose pass from Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen was intercepted by Diallo, who played it to the recalled Joshua Zirkzy only for the Dutchman to be pulled down by Carlos Baleba.
Fernandes sent Verbruggen the wrong way from 12 yards, curling it into the bottom left corner.
Brighton were largely on the counter, but it was an approach that paid dividends and they almost restored their lead just before half-time.
Minteh picked out Dany Welbeck inside the area but the former United striker was denied a goal on his return to Old Trafford with a superb block to cover defender Diogo Dalot.
Attempt ruled out by VAR
Brighton thought they had scored again eight minutes after the restart, Joao Pedro firing over after United failed to clear Yassin Ayari’s free-kick only for the goal to be chalked off on VAR after a foul on Dalot by Jan Paul van Hecke .
However, they were not to deny the time.
Minteh played the ball to the far post and Mitoma did enough to fend off Mazraoui’s challenge and turn the ball inside.
United looked for another equalizer but Zirkze’s shot, after a mad run by Diallo, was blocked by Van Hecke.
It was to prove a pivotal moment as Brighton immediately went down the other end and ended the match with a third goal.
Onana thought he had cleared the danger by coming out to collect Agiari’s cross but, having initially claimed it, he dropped the ball and Rutter had the immediate task of firing into an empty net.
Amorim dropped Anthony, who is on the verge of ending his miserable spell at United on loan at Real Betis, and Rasmus Hoylund and breathed some life into United’s attacking play.
Diallo forced Verbruggen into a stop before fellow substitute Alejandro Garnazzo fired wide when he was well placed.
However, their efforts fell short as Brighton held on with relative ease to hand United their fourth defeat in seven games in all competitions.
The Seagulls are in ninth place, just four points off the Champions League places, with United in 13th.
