Manchester United have built upon their recent surge up the Premier League table, dispatching an established Brighton side by four goals to two at Old Trafford.
Matheus Cunha opened the scoring and his personal account midway through the first half, before Casemiro added to a promising performance to solidify a fine opening 45 for the Reds.
Things went from good to better following the break, as Bryan Mbeumo continued his stellar start to life up North with a fourth goal in Red on the hour mark.
Somewhat expectedly, Danny Welbeck reduced the deficit on his return to M16 with a sublime free-kick, with Charalampos Kostoulas heading a second deep into injury time.
But this was a day that belonged to United and their uncompromising attack, and Mbeumo capped off another notable display with his brace in the final seconds.
Ruben Amorim’s men climb to fourth with a third consecutive league win, as many of the game’s notable naysayers are beginning to view this side in a different light.
Goals win games, and this Manchester United side is beginning to impress
Despite nervous apprehension, a sense of possibility was evident around the Theatre of Dreams on Saturday.
Chelsea’s defeat earlier in the day added to the feel-good factor, with Gary Neville honoured as the 25th inductee in the Premier League Hall of Fame during a pre-game ceremony.
On a day when Bruno Fernandes would make his 300th appearance in Red, three points would lift United above Liverpool into fourth position before their evening fixture.
The opening quarter began with United bursting out of the blocks with a relentless high press, before the visitors settled into their usual shape and began frustrating in their meticulous manner.
But the Reds were not to be undone, and having weathered an early period of concern, several passages of attacking purpose, coupled with a handful of questionable refereeing decisions, saw momentum shift.
Deservedly, Cunha opened the scoring following sustained pressure in the final third, typifying his class and composure with a sublime side-footed effort from distance.
Casemiro doubled the Reds’ lead within 10 minutes through the aid of a wicked deflection, seeing his long-range effort clatter off Jan Paul van Hecke before finding its way past a helpless Bart Verbruggen.
Truthfully, it was the least that Amorim’s men deserved after a professional performance against a surprisingly naive Brighton display.
Both sides remained unchanged at the break, and the early exchanges returned a mirror image of much of the opening period.
United were calm and visibly structured in and out of possession, while Brighton appeared committed to being the architects of their own downfall.
Furthermore, the attacking assembly of Benjamin Sesko, Mbeumo, Amad, Fernandes and Cunha were close to irresistible, offering moments of relentless pressure and interchange throughout.
Amorim couldn’t hide his smile when Mbeumo calmly added a third after an hour, following an impressive display of line-leading from the domineering figure of the marvellous Sesko.
A three-goal advantage supplied the opportunity for widespread alterations, with Ayden Heaven, Kobbie Mainoo and Patrick Dorgu all entering proceedings for the final 20 minutes. Unfortunately, this signalled a slight shift.
Welbeck has aged like a fine wine in England’s top tier, and there was a sense of inevitability before he notched his fifth goal in four outings, beating Senne Lammens in style from distance.
The away side probed for a second in the aftermath and set the stage for a nervous ending when Kostoulas headed home in the second of seven additional minutes.
But, despite another unnecessary headache for the Old Trafford faithful, Mbeumo added his second and his side’s fourth to claim three points and climb into the Champions League places.
Paint it whatever way you fancy, but that’s five wins in seven, four from four at Old Trafford, and three in as many league outings for Amorim and his impressive outfit. Wins are like buses!
Focus now turns to a trip to Nottingham Forest next Saturday.
How are you feeling after a thrilling victory against Brighton? Let us know your thoughts in the comments or across our socials.
Photo by operations@newsimages.co.uk via depositphotos.com
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