Man United 4-2 Brighton: Amorim and the return of courage
Man United completed a 4-2 win over Brighton to extend their winning streak to three, with high pressing as the foundation. Cunha, Casemiro and Mbeumo (double) decided the match, taking the team into the top four.
Old Trafford only breathed a sigh of relief when Bryan Mbeumo sealed the win in injury time. Before that, Man United had imposed pressure on Brighton with compressed, energetic and disciplined football – a temperament that seemed to have deserted them during the early stages of the season. The 4-2 scoreline was the result of a high pressing plan that was implemented in the right rhythm, taking the Red Devils' winning streak to 3.
Key developments and decisive moments
The three points came from four goals from three different individuals: Matheus Cunha, Casemiro and a brace from Bryan Mbeumo. The common denominator: all stemmed from intense pressure from the opposition's half. Brighton tried to play from the back, but the lack of space saw them lose control and pay the price.
Mbeumo sealed the game with a stoppage-time strike – a decisive mental break that eased the tension in the stands. Earlier, Casemiro had fired a long-range shot to increase the score, while Cunha opened the winning trajectory with his first goal for his new team.
Amorim and the U-turn: From Thought to Practice
“We had no momentum,” Ruben Amorim admitted two weeks ago. The reality was a United that took one step forward and then another. A run of three consecutive wins against Sunderland, Liverpool and Brighton had changed the narrative. On the pitch, his team pressed high, covered the area aggressively and had defenders ready to track the opposition strikers when they dropped back to receive the ball.
Amorim explained the tactical and personnel flexibility: “With Maguire, we defend lower. But with De Ligt and Shaw, we can push higher and press better.” From there, United controlled the tempo of the game, fell into traps at the right place and time, and converted the opponent's mistakes into goals.
Tactical analysis: high pressing, with direction
Shaw and De Ligt raise the defensive line
The highlight was the way defenders Luke Shaw and Matthijs de Ligt proactively stepped into the opponent's half of the field, shortening the distance between the team. When Brighton pulled the striker back to create more passing stations, Shaw and De Ligt followed closely, cutting off the turning lane and forcing the opponent to pass quickly.
Lock space, make mistakes
United did not rush in, but chose to press the area, closing the line horizontally, dribbling the ball into a trap. When the ball fell into the designated area, the second line rushed in to fight, while the first line was ready to block the way out. From those situations of winning the ball, they created a series of quality finishing shots.
The standout factor: experience and rookies in sync
Casemiro – who had been questioned for his age – showed his worth when he opened the game with a cool long-range strike. Matheus Cunha scored the first, signaling his integration. Bryan Mbeumo rounded off a perfect evening with a brace, the latter in injury time relieving the pressure on the team.
Statistics and key indicators
- Score: Man United 4-2 Brighton
- Form streak: 3 consecutive wins (Sunderland, Liverpool, Brighton)
- Goal scorers: Matheus Cunha, Casemiro, Bryan Mbeumo (2)
- Common denominator of goals: coming from high pressing, winning the ball in dangerous areas
- Current position: reaching the top 4
Post-match reactions
“We played well in different phases of the game,” said Amorim. “Sometimes we controlled the ball, sometimes we defended low, sometimes we pressed high. It was the most complete game of the season.” That statement reflects a team that is finding its identity and winning belief again.
Long-term impact: belief returns to Old Trafford
Aside from tactics, what has changed is the mentality: togetherness in celebrations, focus in defence, and clarity in messaging from the technical area. On a managerial level, the duo of Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada provide the right philosophical pieces to help Amorim execute their plans coherently.
The win over Brighton was more than just three points. It was the starting point for a new cycle, where United turned ideas into reality, and a run of three wins in a row became the momentum they themselves admitted they had lost.