24 MAY 2026
BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 0 MANCHESTER UNITED 3
PREMIER LEAGUE - at the AMERICAN EXPRESS STADIUM, FALMER.
With the Albion looking to cement a place in one of the UEFA European competitions next season, for their final match of the 2025-2026 season the Seagulls welcomed high-flying Manchester United to the Amex for a Premier League fixture, the match being shown "live" on Sky Sports and broadcast by Talksport and BBC Radio Sussex Sport.
Last time out the Albion had lost 0-1 at Leeds United in the Premier on the 17 May and for the visit of Manchester United the Albion made three changes to their starting line-up from the Leeds game, with Mats Wieffer, James Milner and Diego Gomez coming in for Joel Veltman, Carlos Baleba and Yankuba Minteh.
In their previous outing United had beaten Nottingham Forest 3-2 at home in the Premier on the 17 May and for their visit to the Amex Head Coach Michael Carrick made three changes to his starting line-up from the Forest game, with Noussair Mazraoui, Mason Mount and Patrick Dorgu replacing Diogo Dalot, Casemiro and Matheus Cunha.
In their meetings in the Premier last season, the Albion did the double over the United, winning 2-1 at the Amex on the 24 August 2024, with Danny Welbeck (32m) and Joao Pedro (90+5m) scoring for the Seagulls and Amad Diallo (60m) replying for the Red Devils. In the reverse fixture at Old Trafford on the 19 January 2025 the Albion ran out 3-1 winners, with their goals coming from Yankuba Minteh (5m), Kaoru Mitoma (60m) and Georginio Rutter (76m), whilst United's goal was scored by Bruno Fernandes (23m, penalty).
The teams had already met twice this season at Old Trafford. On the 25 October 2025 in the Premier it finished 4-2 to United with their goals being scored by Bryan Mbeumo 2 (61m & 90+6m), Matheus Cunha (24m) and Casemiro (34m), whilst Danny Welbeck (74m) and Charalampos Kostoulas (90+2m) netted for the Seagulls. On the 11 January 2026 in the Third Round of the FA Cup the Albion triumphed 2-1, with Brajan Gruda (12m) and Danny Welbeck (64m) netting for the Seagulls, whilst Benjamin Sesko (85m) scored United's consolation.
In baking sunshine it was the Albion who created the first half-chance on 10 minutes when Maxim De Cuyper's cross from the left found Diego Gomez but the Paraguayan's scuffed shot was off target. For United, Amad Diallo and Mason Mount teed up an opportunity for Bryan Mbeumo but the former Brentford man failed to avail himself of the chance. De Cuyper then went close with a right-footed drive which flashed wide of the United post with 20 minutes on the clock. United then took the lead on 33 minutes when Bruno Fernandes cross was met by the leaping Patrick Dorgu whose header entered the Albion net via the underside of the crossbar. It was Fernandes 21st assist of the season - a new Premier League record. 0-1.
Luke Shaw's flashing drive then went close but on 44 minutes Diallo and Mount combined delightfully to present Mbeumo with the chance to finish from close-in for United's second. 0-2.
Half-time 0-2.
Three minutes into the second-half the game was virtually settled when Diallo and Dorgu set-up Fernandes whose low drive evaded Bart Verbruggen in the Brighton goal for United's third. 0-3. United were really in the mood and Verbruggen had to produce fine saves to deny Dorgu and Diallo. Dorgu then had another shot beaten away by Verbruggen whilst at the other end shots by Gomez and Pascal Gross sailed wide of the target. There was still time for Harry Maguire's header to clip the top of the Albion bar and substitute Solly March saw his goal-bound shot saved by United keeper Senne Lammens.
At the end the Albion players and supporters heard that the Albion had qualified for UEFA Conference League football next season, on goal difference.
Final-score 0-3.
Match stats:
Albion had 13 attempts at goal, with 2 on target and won 0 corners, free-kicks conceded - 1. Manchester United had 11 attempts at goal, with 7 on target and won 3 corners, free-kicks conceded - 8.
SUMMARY - Albion completed their 9th consecutive season in the Premier with an 8th placed finish and qualification for the UEFA Conference League next season. Whilst European football is welcome, the Albion were inconsistent this past season and Ferdi Kadioglu was deservedly voted Player of the Season. The squad will need to be re-vamped and strengthened for next season.
Albion line-up (4-2-3-1):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Mats WIEFFER, Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Lewis DUNK (Capt), Ferdi KADIOGLU; Pascal GROSS, James MILNER (Carlos BALEBA 59); Diego GOMEZ (Solly MARCH 59), Jack HINSHELWOOD (Georginio RUTTER 74), Maxim DE CUYPER (Yankuba MINTEH 46); Danny WELBECK (Charalambos KOSTOULAS 59).
Subs not used:Jason STEELE (G/K), Olivier BOSCAGLI, Joel VELTMAN, Matt O'RILEY.
Manchester United line-up (4-2-3-1):- Senne LAMMENS; Noussair MAZRAOUI (Leny YORO 74). Harry MAGUIRE, Lisandro MARTINEZ, Luke SHAW (Tyrell MALACIA 82); Mason MOUNT (Tyler FLETCHER 74), Kobbie MAINOO; Amad DIALLO, Bruno FERNANDES (Capt), Patrick DORGU (Shea LACEY 62); Bryan MBEUMO (Joshua ZIRKZEE 74).
Subs not used: Altay BAYINDIR (G/K). Ayden HEAVEN, Manuel UGARTE, Matheus CUNHA.
Referee: Samuel Barrott (Yorkshire).
Fourth Official: Ruebyn Ricardo.
VAR Official; Stuart Attwell.
Yellow Card: Manchester United: 1 - Kobbie Mainoo.
Possession: Albion - 51%. Manchester United - 49%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United).
Attendance: 31729.
NEXT GAME:
31 MAY 2026 - BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION WOMEN v. MANCHESTER CITY WOMEN
ADOBE WOMEN'S FA CUP FINAL - WEMBLEY STADIUM
KICK-OFF 15.00.