Match Report: Brighton 0-2 Manchester United | OneFootball

Manchester United pulled off a 2-0 away win at Brighton and Hove Albion to end what has been a lousy Premier league campaign on a high note.

In their final Premier League match of the season, Man United were out for revenge against Brighton, having embarrassingly lost their home fixture 3-1 back in September. With little else to play for, redemption would be the main motivation for success on the day.

While United dominated possession during the opening minutes, it was the same playing style as usual, with Erik ten Hag’s side passing around in their own half while doing little to build an attack.

In the fifth minute, Brighton won a corner. Adam Webster took the first shot of the match, heading the ball over the top for a goal kick.

Kobbie Mainoo made a steely challenge on Joao Pedro to win possession in Brighton’s half. This allowed Bruno Fernandes to get a threatening shot off that the goalkeeper caught. A moment later, United fans held their breath as Mainoo fell to the ground clutching his knee, however, they were relieved as he managed to recuperate and continue playing.

In the 13th minute, the home team came close to scoring when Valentin Barco thumped in a shot from close range. It took a sublime leg save from Onana to deny the Argentine and keep the scores level, however, Ten Hag would be alarmed at how easily his defence was penetrated.

25 minutes in, United finally got their first threatening attack underway as they broke away on the counter. Fernandes charged upfield and slotted a through ball to Scott McTominay on the right, who fluffed his lines by skying his shot.

Soon after, United were back under pressure from a resilient Brighton attack. Off yet another corner, Webster drove in a header that forced a last-ditch save from Onana in order to keep the scores level.

Pedro came close to scoring for the home side 32 minutes in when he blazed past Lisandro Martinez and put a shot past Onana, only for the ball to skid past the far post.

As the half drew to a close, United started to apply pressure to the home side. Garnacho beat Jakub Moder to find his way into the box and take a low shot, forcing a save from Jason Steele. Fernandes overhit the subsequent corner, sending the ball out for a goal kick.

With one minute of added time, Fernandes received a yellow card following a dangerous lunge at Simon Adingra.

Overall, it was another underwhelming half from United, with Ten Hag’s team showing little threat against the home team.

Right from the restart, it was Brighton who appeared to be the hungrier team as Pedro cut into the box and passed to Gross, who found Barco in the centre. Barco’s shot breezed past Onana, with Casemiro clearing the ball off the goal line to keep the scores level. It seemed to be only a matter of time until Brighton found an opener.

While United charged back upfield to win a corner, Fernandes took yet another ineffective cross, allowing Brighton to easily clear the danger.

On the hour mark, Fernandes made way for Rasmus Hojlund, while Martinez’s cameo after returning from injury ended as he came off for Jonny Evans.

In the 69th minute, Raphael Varane came on to replace Sofyan Amrabat in what could be his final appearance in a United shirt. He’d hope to impress in order to secure his place in next Saturday’s FA Cup final.

With 20 minutes to go, Alejandro Garnacho took a fiery shot from the edge of the box that struck Webster in the face, with the defender making his way to the sidelines to recover.

In the 73rd minute, Diogo Dalot made his way into Brighton’s final third, catching the defence off guard.

Casemiro thumped a long ball toward Hojlund, with the ball going past the striker to Dalot’s feet. Dalot easily slotted the ball to the near post, grabbing an unlikely lead for a struggling United.

Marcus Rashford came on to replace Amad, while a tired Mainoo made way for Christian Eriksen.

The following minutes were bleak, with United struggling to win the midfield battle and form any goalscoring opportunities. With an eighth-placed finish all but guaranteed, United truly looked like a team with nothing to play for.

Suddenly, in the 86th minute, the game sparked to life yet again as Hojlund doubled United’s lead. With some individual brilliance, Hojlund dribbled past Igor and drifted right where he slotted a low shot past the Brighton keeper into the far left corner to all but seal United’s victory.

Just as United won a corner, six minutes of added time were announced. While well struck, Eriksen’s cross was headed out of danger.

The full time whistle blew on what was a sweet ending to what has been a challenging Premier League campaign for United. CLearly, Ten Hag’s team will want to carry their winning momentum into the FA Cup final in order to come away with some silverware following a disappointing season.

Starting XI: Onana, Amrabat, Martinez, Fernandes, Amad, Garnacho, Casemiro, Dalot, Wan-Bissaka, Mainoo, McTominay Subs: Evans, Hojlund, Varane, Rashford, Eriksen

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