MANCHESTER, England (BN24) — Manchester United’s recent struggles appear to be behind them, for now at least, after a thrilling 4-2 win over Brighton on Saturday. The victory, which extended United’s winning streak to three matches, lifted them into the top five of the Premier League table, bringing a renewed sense of optimism to Old Trafford.
This win was significant for United, as it marked their first three-game Premier League winning streak since February 2024. It also ended Brighton’s three-year run of victories in this fixture, a streak that had added to the pressure on United manager Ruben Amorim following a challenging start to his tenure.
The match had its nervy moments, particularly when Brighton mounted a late comeback attempt, but United ultimately saw out the win, ensuring their momentum continues. Despite a rocky start to the season, including a woeful campaign last year that saw them finish outside the Champions League places, United’s recent form is a sign of progress under Amorim.
“I think we’re heading in the right direction,” Amorim said after the match. “The players have shown belief, and we’re starting to build something. But there’s still a lot of work to be done.”
The match got off to a strong start for United, with summer signing Matheus Cunha playing a key role in breaking the deadlock. In the 24th minute, Cunha curled a stunning shot from outside the box, giving United a 1-0 lead. It was the Brazilian forward’s first goal for the club and provided an early boost for the home team.
Casemiro doubled United’s advantage just before the break with a deflected shot, which wrong-footed Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and found the back of the net. That 2-0 lead was a much-needed cushion for United, but the second half saw Brighton fight back fiercely.
Bryan Mbeumo, who has been in fine form for United, scored twice in the second half to secure the victory. His first came in the 55th minute when he finished off a brilliant team move. Mbeumo’s second goal, however, was a key moment in the match as it came in the 82nd minute, following a tense period when Brighton seemed poised to make a comeback.
Brighton had given themselves hope when former United player Danny Welbeck scored a stunning free-kick in the 69th minute, curling it into the top corner to pull one back for the visitors. The atmosphere inside Old Trafford grew tense when substitute Charalampos Kostoulas headed in another goal for Brighton in injury time, making it 3-2 and setting the stage for a nerve-wracking finale.
But Mbeumo’s second goal in the 87th minute sealed the win for United, ensuring the three points remained at Old Trafford. The result is a massive boost for Amorim, whose side now sits just outside the top four in the league, with a growing sense of momentum following two strong wins.
“We showed resilience and quality today,” Mbeumo said after his brace. “We know there’s still a lot to improve, but this win will give us confidence moving forward.”
The win over Brighton comes on the heels of last week’s morale-boosting 2-1 victory over Liverpool, and while it’s still early in the season, United is starting to look like a team capable of challenging for a higher finish this term.
As for Brighton, the loss was a tough one to swallow, especially after their spirited second-half response. Despite creating several chances, including Welbeck’s spectacular free-kick and Kostoulas’s late header, the Seagulls could not find the equalizer. Brighton now faces a difficult run of fixtures as they look to bounce back from the defeat.
Liverpool, the defending champions, were playing Brentford later on Saturday, and a win for them would move them up to second in the table.
For Manchester United, the victory signals a clear improvement under Amorim, and while the team’s start to the season had been shaky, they are now heading in the right direction with growing belief and key contributions from their summer signings.
