Brighton continued their dominance over Manchester United with a deserved win at Old Trafford this afternoon.
On a day when United paid tribute to the great Denis Law, who died on Friday, the Seagulls emerged worthy winners as Ruben Amorim’s worries continued with another lackluster performance from his side.
Yankuba Minteh put Brighton ahead and, although Bruno Fernandes equalized from the penalty spot, Kauro Mitoma and Georginio Rutter added second-half goals for Fabian Hurzeler’s side.
FT: ALBION WON AGAIN AT OLD TRAFFORD! 🙌
[1-3] 📲 #MUNBHA // #BHAFC 🔵⚪️ pic.twitter.com/PjwnJQwfM5
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 19, 2025
Shambolic Onana a symbol of United’s problems
Rutter’s goal came after a terrible mistake by United goalkeeper Andrea Onana and summed up the home side’s misery as they lost to Brighton for the eighth time in 16 Premier League games.
United went into the game with plenty of momentum after Amad Diallo’s late hat-trick beat Southampton on Thursday night, but the atmosphere dropped early when Mitoma cut through Noussair Mazraoui and set up Minteh to slot the ball home.
Fernandes already came close to equalizing with a shot that flashed wide before the Portugal international equalized from the spot.
Brighton keeper Bart Verbruggen’s loose pass was intercepted by Diallo, who played in the recalled Joshua Zirkzee only for the Dutchman to be pulled back by Carlos Baleba.
Fernandes sent Verbruggen the wrong way from 12 yards, rolling it into the bottom left corner.
Brighton mostly played on the counter, but it was an approach that paid off and they almost regained their lead just before half-time.
Minteh picked out Dany Welbeck inside the box but the former United striker was denied a goal on his return to Old Trafford with a brilliant block by covering defender Diogo Dalot.
The effort was ruled out by VAR
Brighton thought they had scored again eight minutes after the restart, Joao Pedro firing home after United failed to clear Yasin Ayari’s free-kick only for the goal to be ruled out by VAR following Jan Paul van Hecke’s foul on Dalot.
However, they were not to be denied for an hour.
Minteh played the ball to the far post and Mitoma did enough to fend off Mazraoui’s challenge and deflect the ball away.
United went in search of another equalizer but Zirkzee’s shot, after a quick run from Diallo, was blocked by Van Hecke.
It was a crucial moment as Brighton quickly came through at the other end to wrap up the contest with a third goal.
Onana thought he had cleared the danger by coming out to collect Ayari’s cross but, after first taking it, he released the ball and Rutter had the simple task of firing into the empty net.
Amorim brought on Antony, who is on the brink of ending his miserable spell at United on loan at Real Betis, and Rasmus Hojlund and that brought some life back into United’s attacking play.
Diallo forced Verbruggen into a low stop before another substitute, Alejandro Garnacho, fired wide when he was well placed.
Their efforts did not bear fruit, as Brighton suffered United’s fourth defeat in seven games in all competitions relatively easily.
The Seagulls have moved up to ninth place, just four points off a Champions League spot, with United in 13th.
