United back to winning ways in Prem with convincing win over Brighton

Goals from Pereira, Rashford and a Propper own goal were enough for United to score 3 goals at home in consecutive games for the first time since 2018.

United were aiming to make amends for last week's disappointing 1-0 defeat away to Bournemouth. They made 1 change from that game, with the young Brandon Williams replacing Ashley Young. Brighton, on the other hand, had been on a decent run of form after beating Everton and Norwich in their last 2 matches.

United started the game on the front foot and were rewarded in the 17th minute when they went up 1-0. Martial passed to Pereira at the centre of the box, and his shot was deflected off Stephens past the helpless Ryan.

Two minutes later United made it 2. A Fred free-kick was headed by Dunk. McTominay got to the ball before Ryan and chased the ball to make sure it went in, with Propper getting a toe to it before it entered Ryan's net. VAR checked it for a possible Maguire foul on Dunk, but the goal was given and United raced into a 2-0 lead. 

Williams got off lucky in the 64th minute when a high footed challenge on Alzate was checked by VAR, but in the end referee Jonathan Moss brandished a yellow to the Red Devils teenager. United had a few half chances before Brighton pulled one back in the 64th minute. Just before it Brighton almost equalised through Maupay, but it was Dunk who added his name to the scoresheet. Gross swung in the corner and Dunk bulleted his header past De Gea to get the Brighton fans dreaming of their first draw at Old Trafford since 1983.

However, it was not to be as moments later Rashford got United's third. Martial was through on goal and was tackled. He cut it back to Rashford who coolly slotted it home off the bar and in. Rashford then had a chance to get his second two minutes later but somehow fired wide when presented with an open goal from James' cross. Ryan then prevented United doing more damage with good saves from Rashford, James, and Williams. Rashford then had the final chance when he put wide after lovely link-up play from him and Martial, but United deservedly won the match and move up to 7th.