MU 4-2 Brighton: Mbeumo, Cunha shine to break the curse
Cunha 24', Casemiro 33', Mbeumo 61' and 90'+7 helped MU beat Brighton 4-2 at Old Trafford. Welbeck's free kick 74' and Kostoulas 90'+3 scored for the visitors. MU had their third consecutive win, moving up to 4th place with 16 points.
Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 at Old Trafford thanks to goals from Cunha (24'), Casemiro (33') and a double from Mbeumo (61', 90'+7). Welbeck (74') and Kostoulas (90'+3) scored for the visitors. This was MU's third consecutive win in the 2025/26 Premier League, breaking the curse against an opponent that was considered a nemesis.
Drama in extra time: the end for Brighton
Brighton reduced the score to 2-3 in the 90'+3 minute and pushed the match into a tense situation. But at the 90'+7 minute, MU launched the decisive blow: Heaven passed through the line, Bruno Fernandes lifted his foot to delicately drop the ball for Mbeumo to finish accurately, sealing the 4-2 victory.
MU vs Brighton
MU entered the game proactively with a three-center-back structure and high pressing rhythm. In the 24th minute, Casemiro passed to the top of the penalty area for Matheus Cunha to curl the ball into the far corner to open the score 1-0.
In the 33rd minute, from a situation where MU won the ball after pressing, Casemiro shot from more than 20m away, the ball hit Ayari and changed direction, raising the score to 2-0. MU maintained a good rhythm until the end of the first half.
In the second half, MU continued to be sharp in transition. In the 61st minute, Sesko cut the ball from midfield and passed it to Mbeumo who finished with his left foot into the near corner, 3-0.
Brighton fought back. In the 74th minute, Danny Welbeck took a free kick from the edge of the box, sending the ball into the corner, leaving Lammens helpless. The visitors eventually reduced the deficit to 2-3 when Kostoulas headed in a corner kick in the 90'+3 minute. However, Mbeumo ended the chase seven minutes later with a goal to make it 4-2.
Score
| Minute | Player | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24' | Matheus Cunha | MU | 1-0 |
| 33' | Casemiro | MU | 2-0 |
| 61' | Bryan Mbeumo | MU | 3-0 |
| 74' | Danny Welbeck | Brighton | 3-1 |
| 90'+3 | Kostoulas | Brighton | 3-2 |
| 90'+7 | Bryan Mbeumo | MU | 4-2 |
Tactical analysis
MU: Three central defenders, high pressing and sharp transitions
MU started with Lammens; the central defender trio De Ligt, Yoro, Luke Shaw; the two wings Amad and Dalot; the central axis Casemiro - Bruno Fernandes; the attacking trio Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko. This structure helps MU cover the center and be ready to close in as soon as they lose the ball.
The 2-0 goal in the 33rd minute was a testament to effective pressing: MU won the ball in the middle third of the field, Casemiro immediately finished when Brighton's defense was still scattered. In transition phases, Sesko was the link along the flank and in the half-space corridor, like the situation in the 61st minute when he passed the ball to Mbeumo.
After leading 3-0, coach Amorim adjusted the tempo and personnel in the 69th minute (withdrawing Luke Shaw, Casemiro, Amad; bringing in Heaven, Mainoo, Dorgu) to reinforce the midfield and cover the two wings against Brighton's late-match pressure.
Brighton: 4-2-3-1, pushed hard at the end of the match but paid the price for space
Brighton took the field with Verbruggen; Wieffer, Dunk, Van Hecke, Kadioglu; the midfield duo Baleba - Ayari; the trio Minteh, Rutter, De Cuyper supporting Welbeck. They tried to pass the ball short to escape the pressing (minutes 13-16), but were often separated by MU in the second line.
Late efforts brought two goals: a perfect free kick from Welbeck and an aerial duel from a corner from Kostoulas. However, pushing up the formation also exposed the back of the goal and was punished by MU in the 90'+7 minute.
Notable statistics
- Mbeumo scored twice (61', 90'+7); his shot in the 71st minute hit the post.
- Cunha scored his first goal for MU, opening the scoring in the 24th minute.
- Casemiro increased the score to 2-0 from a pressing situation and a long shot in the 33rd minute.
- Welbeck scored from a free kick in the 74th minute; Kostoulas headed in the 90'+3 minute.
- MU won all 3 recent matches in the Premier League.
Starting lineup
- MU: Lammens; De Ligt, Yoro, Shaw; Amad, Casemiro, Fernandes, Dalot; Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko.
- Brighton: Verbruggen; Wieffer, Dunk, Van Hecke, Kadioglu; Baleba, Ayari; Minteh, Rutter, De Cuyper; Welbeck.
Impact on rankings and outlook
With 3 points, MU rose to 4th place in the 2025/26 Premier League with 16 points after 9 matches. Brighton ranked 13th with 12 points after 9 matches. This victory strengthened MU's momentum and marked a psychological turning point after a series of unfavorable results against Brighton in the past.
