19 JANUARY 2025 -
MANCHESTER UNITED 1 BRIGHTON & HOVE ALBION 3 ,
PREMIER LEAGUE - at OLD TRAFFORD, MANCHESTER.
The Albion travelled North to meet Manchester United in a Premier League encounter at Old Trafford, the match being covered by BBC Radio 5 Live and BBC Radio Sussex Sport. The Seagulls were looking for a third successive Premier League win at the Theatre of Dreams.
Last time out in the Premier the Seagulls had won 2-0 at Ipswich Town on the 16 January and for their visit to Old Trafford the Albion made two changes to their starting line-up from the Ipswich game, with Yankuba Minteh and Danny Welbeck coming in for Simon Adingra and Matt O'Riley.
In their previous Premier League outing, United had come from behind to beat Southampton 3-1 at Old Trafford on the 16 January and for Albion's visit United made three changes to their starting line-up from the Southampton game, with Harry Maguire, Diogo Dalot and joshua Zirkzee replacing Lisandro Martinez, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund.
In the reverse fixture at the Amex earlier this season on the 24 August 2024 the Albion beat United 2-1 with their goals coming from Danny Welbeck (32m) and Joao Pedro (90+5m and Amad Diallo (60m) netting United's consolation.
In their meetings in the Premier last season, the Seagulls won 3-1 at Old Trafford on the 16 September 2023, In the return fixture at the Amex on the 19 May 2024, United gained their revenge with a 2-0 victory,
Prior to kick-off there was a moving tribute to former United legend Denis Law (84), who had passed away days before the match.
Looking for their third successive Premier win at Old Trafford it was the Seagulls who made a brisk start as Joao Pedro's volley was saved by United keeper Andre Onana. On 5 minutes Albion took the lead when Carlos Baleba's superb pass enabled Kaoru Mitoma to escape down the left and the Japanese international's pass to the far post was met by Yankuba Minteh who finished with aplomb. A great start by the Albion. 1-0.
Surprisingly, on 23 minutes United drew level when Baleba was adjudged to have fouled Joshua Zirkzee in the box and Captain Bruno Fernandes calmly converted the resultant penalty-kick. 1-1.
Prior to the break Diogo Dalot made a fine defensive block to prevent Danny Welbeck firing his shot home to enable the Seagulls to regain the lead.
Half-time 1-1.
Minutes after the re-start Pedro thought he had put the Albion ahead when he fired past Onana but VAR intervened to rule that a foul had occurred in the build-up to the goal. However, on the hour the Seagulls did take the lead with a legitimate goal, when the lively Minteh crossed to the far post where the alert Mitoma was on hand to tap the ball home for Albion's second. 2-1.
Better was to follow on 76 minutes when keeper Onana gifted the ball to substitute Georginio Rutter who could not believe his luck as he knocked the ball into the empty net from ten yards out. 3-1.
The Seagulls comfortably saw out the remaining minutes to record their third successive win over United at Old Trafford and a double for this season.
Final-score 3-1.
Match stats:
Albion had 6 attempts at goal, with 3 on target and won 2 corners, free-kicks conceded - 12.
Manchester United had 10 attempts at goal, with 1 on target and won 4 corners, free-kicks conceded - 13.
TO SUM UP - An excellent and well-deserved win for the Albion at the Theatre of Dreams. Wide men Yankuba Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma stood out for the Seagulls. Latest signing Diego Gomez came on in the final minutes for his Albion debut.
Albion line-up (4-4-2):- Bart VERBRUGGEN; Joel VELTMAN, Jan Paul VAN HECKE, Lewis DUNK (Capt), Pervis ESTUPINAN (Tariq LAMPTEY 84); Yankuba MINTEH (Solly MARCH 69), Carlos BALEBA (Diego GOMEZ 90+5), Yasin AYARI, Kaoru MITOMA; Joao PEDRO (Julio ENCISO (90+5), Danny WELBECK (Georginio RUTTER 69).
Subs not used: Jason STEELE (G/K), Adam WEBSTER, Ruairi McCONVILLE, Simon ADINGRA.
Manchester United line-up (3-4-2-1):- Andre ONANA; Matthijs DE LIGT, Harry MAGUIRE, Leny YORO; Noussair MAZRAOUI (ANTONY 84), Manuel UGARTE (Toby COLLYER 64), Kobbie MAINOO (Alejandro GARNACHO 64), Diogo DALOT; Amad DIALLO, Bruno FERNANDES (Capt); Joshua ZIRKZEE (Rasmus HOJLUND 84).
Subs not used: Altay BAYINDAR (G/K), Lisandro MARTINEZ, Tyrell MALACIA, CASEMIRO, Christian ERIKSEN.
Referee: Peter Bankes (Lancashire).
Fourth Official: Robert Jones.
VAR Official: Craig Pawson.
Possession: Albion - 48%. Manchester United - 52%.
BBC Sport Player of the Match: Kaoru Mitoma (Albion).
Attendance: 73758 (including 2408 Albion fans).
NEXT GAME:
1 FEBRUARY 2025 - NOTTINGHAM FOREST - Away - Premier League - kick-off 12.30. "Live" on TNT Sports.