MU beat Brighton 4-2: Mbeumo scored twice, Casemiro stood out
Bryan Mbeumo scored a brace with the decisive goal at the end of the match; Matheus Cunha ended a 9-match scoreless streak; Casemiro assisted and scored, helping MU enter the top 4 after 3 consecutive wins.
MU beat Brighton 4-2 at Old Trafford in round 9 of the Premier League, on a night when Bryan Mbeumo played like a front-line conductor with a double, Matheus Cunha broke the deadlock, and Casemiro left a direct mark on two goals. Bruno Fernandes celebrated his 300th appearance for MU with an influential playmaking performance.
Developments and pivotal moments
The game soon turned in favor of the home team when MU took advantage of the gaps between the center and the two flanks of Brighton's defense. Cunha opened the scoring, relieving the pressure after 9 matches without scoring. That confidence spread, helping MU's attacks reach a higher speed, with Mbeumo usually the destination up front.
Casemiro doubled the advantage with a fortunate finish, before continuing to impress by getting directly involved in the ball and starting it off. Brighton rallied from set pieces: a Danny Welbeck free-kick caught Sanne Lammens off guard, reducing the gap.
The second half saw a fluctuating tempo. Luke Shaw let Yankuba Minteh get past him a few times on the left flank, creating problems for the United goal. However, Shaw’s proactive pressing also contributed to the home side’s third goal. Amad Diallo played tricky football and was denied a penalty, before Mbeumo finished the game with a cool finish in the final minutes, sealing a 4-2 victory.
Tactical analysis: Casemiro as the anchor, Mbeumo as the drill
MU operates with a 4-man defense with the central defender pair Leny Yoro – Matthijs de Ligt, and the two wings Luke Shaw – Diogo Dalot. This creates a foundation for the front line to maintain a reasonable vertical distance, with Casemiro as the midfield anchor and Bruno Fernandes in charge of the ball circulation.
Casemiro was a shield of both competition and distribution, constantly blocking Brighton’s early counter-attacks and ready to break through when space arose. As Bruno set the tempo with his through-ball passes, Amad Diallo moved into the half-spaces to receive the ball first, while Mbeumo exploited the space behind the defenders with his pace and one-on-one technique. Cunha acted as the destination for direct passes, using his confidence to finish quickly in the box.
On the left flank, Shaw struggled at times against Minteh’s sprinting runs, but his ability to press and be decisive on the ball allowed United to create high ball-winning opportunities – one of which led to a crucial goal. Dalot on the opposite flank held good position, limiting the risk, although his long-range efforts were inaccurate.
Outstanding statistics and scoring
- Score: MU 4-2 Brighton.
- Double: Bryan Mbeumo (final goal in the last minute).
- Scoring and assisting: Casemiro directly left his mark.
- Back in action: Matheus Cunha scores after 9 games without a goal.
- Milestone: Bruno Fernandes plays his 300th match for MU.
| Player | Point | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sanne Lammens | 6/10 | Confident in catching the ball in the air; passive in conceding a goal from Danny Welbeck's free kick. |
| Leny Yoro | 6/10 | Reads situations well, saves on counter-attacks; sometimes loses focus. |
| Matthijs de Ligt | 7/10 | Calm, confident, effective in commanding the defense. |
| Luke Shaw | 6.5/10 | Aggressive pressing contributed to the third goal; several times outplayed by Minteh. |
| Amad Diallo | 7/10 | Tricky, hot; had a penalty situation denied. |
| Diogo Dalot | 6/10 | Hold position; long shot inaccurate. |
| Bruno Fernandes | 7/10 | Energetic, creative; passing through the lines creates chances. |
| Casemiro | 8/10 | Creates and scores goals; combative and experienced. |
| Bryan Mbeumo | 9/10 | Double of class; speed, technique, coolness in front of goal. |
| Matheus Cunha | 8/10 | Opened the scoring; technique and confidence, signs of a return to form. |
| Benjamin Sesko | 6.5/10 | Wall, move hard; finish not sharp. |
Reaction and impact on the race
Amad's energetic performances have earned him points in the eyes of coach Ruben Amorim. With Mbeumo flourishing, Casemiro providing a springboard and Cunha finding his scoring touch again, MU are possessing a more effective attacking framework with each round.
This victory is the third consecutive match, bringing MU into the top 4. It is an important support for the next stage, when the stability of the defense (de Ligt - Yoro) and the directness of the front line are gradually shaping the identity of the playing style.
