Brighton & Hove Albion 3-2 Manchester United: Hits and flops from the game

Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United - Premier League
Brighton celebrate after going 2-0 up

Brighton stunned a dire Manchester United side for the second time in as many seasons at the Amex Stadium to secure their first points of the new Premier League campaign.

A smart finish by Glenn Murray with the outside of his boot gave the Seagulls a deserved lead. Within moments, centre-back Shane Duffy scored his first ever Premier League goal amidst non-existent United defending to double the advantage.

Chris Hughton’s side were briefly pegged back by Romelu Lukaku’s header, only for Pascal Gross to convert from the penalty spot seconds before half-time after the German was fouled by Eric Bailly.

Despite Paul Pogba’s injury-time spot-kick, a poor United – who hardly tested Mathew Ryan in the opposite goal - succumbed to defeat which was met with rapturous celebrations across the Amex Stadium.

Here are the various hits and flops from the game.


#1 Flop: United's centre-back pairing, Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof

Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United - Premier League
Bailly conceded a needless penalty

Eric Bailly had one of his worst games in a United shirt, making one individual error after the other to hand the initiative to the hosts. The Ivorian defender’s carelessness on the ball soon after Brighton opened the scoring proved to be a major ingredient of the recipe called disaster, as the subsequent corner was turned in by Duffy for United to slump to a 2-0 deficit.

A silly challenge on Pascal Gross to concede a penalty burst the brief balloon of optimism blown by Lukaku’s goal to bring his side back in the game. A loss of concentration at the beginning of the second half nearly sent a Brighton player through on goal, while his clearances were weak and hardly enough to give United any attacking onus.

His partner at the back, Victor Lindelof was equally accountable as the duo leaving oceans of space every time Brighton brought the ball forward. The ease with which the likes of Glenn Murray and Gross were able to get in behind the duo was shocking to watch from a United perspective. Will Jose stick with the faltering duo when they face Spurs at home next Monday?

#2 Hit: Shane Duffy

Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United - Premier League
Duffy was a leader at the back

The Irish centre-half – who played all but one league game for Brighton last season – had his task cut out when his veteran partner at the back, Lewis Dunk, was forced off midway through the first half with a foot injury. It was a big blow for the Seagulls, as Dunk’s withdrawal paved the way for the introduction of Nigerian summer signing Leon Balagun.

In Dunk’s absence, the responsibility of handling the organization of the defence fell on Duffy’s shoulders and the 26-year-old didn’t disappoint. He put in a valiant effort himself, keeping a stranglehold on Romelu Lukaku while also blocking balls arriving through the middle with relative comfort as compared to the dismal defending at the other end.

He was a leader in defence, keeping the back four tight during brief spells of United pressure. His goal to put the hosts two-up was his first in his Premier League career and thoroughly deserved for an excellent show of concentration in defence.

#3 Flop: Anthony Martial

Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United - Premier League
Martial's frustrations in 2018 extended to the new season

With Alexis Sanchez absent from the squad through an apparent training injury, it was the ideal opportunity for Anthony Martial to justify his claim for extended play-time down the left-wing. However, the 22-year-old, as on so many occasions towards the back end of last season, came up a cropper.

Apart from a dazzling run into the penalty box within the opening 10 minutes, the Frenchman offered next to no threat in attack. The urgency to go forward and test opponents one-by-one disappeared without a trace. He failed to put the debutant full-back Martin Montoya under the pump and was only too happy to defend Anthony Knockaert on the other half of the pitch. It needed some injection of energy from Luke Shaw to create chances from that side of the attack.

His frustrating start to the season continued as he was taken off for Marouane Fellaini after a below-par average which is unlikely to give Alexis any fears about his starting place once the Chilean is fit.

#4 Hit: Glenn Murray

Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United - Premier League
Murray opened the scoring for the hosts

At 34, Glenn Murray was not really on odds to take the game to the United defence over the course of 90 minutes. However, the Brighton forward, who has made over 200 appearances for the Seagulls in an illustrious career, endeared himself to the fans with a display any young attacking player would take inspiration from.

The ex-Bournemouth and Crystal Palace number nine took advantage of some insipid United defending to convert Pascal Gross’ low cross with a smart outside-of-the-boot finish. The goal aside, he was challenging for every ball and pressing a vulnerable United defence to force them into making a misplaced pass or committing a goal-bound error.

Bailly’s heavy first touch and Victor Lindelof’s miscued clearances were results of Murray’s excellent work-ethic and desire to win the ball off the opposition. He looked all his 34 years as he was substituted late on, but the result turned out to be worth the effort from the veteran whose goals are going to be crucial for Brighton to secure a third straight season in the Premier League.

#5 Flop: Ashley Young

Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United - Premier League
Young struggled at right-back

Ashley Young had a more than decent outing at the World Cup in Russia during the summer, but his display as a makeshift right-back concludes either of two things – he isn’t comfortable in that position or is still short of adequate match-fitness to play competitive football.

The 33-year-old was poor in defence, allowing crosses to enter the box in a canter during the first half. When advancing up the pitch, he struggled to get crosses past the first defender – Gaetan Bong in most cases – to provide service to the aerial threat of Romelu Lukaku and Marouane Fellaini later in the contest.

Mourinho’s lack of, or rather absence of options at full-back isn’t helping Young’s cause either. Will the United boss switch to a three-man defence to accommodate Young in a more advanced position?

Quick Links

Edited by Raunak J