Manchester United had never lost in their 11 previous home meetings with Brighton in all competitions, winning nine and drawing two. In the days of Sir Alex Ferguson, such game would have been considered as something of a walkover. However, defeats to Crystal Palace, West Ham, Newcastle and Bournemouth already this season have changed all that and no game is now a foregone conclusion. Brighton had even gone into this match above United in the League Table.
Although there was only one change in the starting line up from the team that lost to Bournemouth, in the end it was thanks to several missed chances by United that kept the score respectable for Brighton, United having 21 shots to Brighton’s six. United are still seen to be struggling in set pieces, corners and free kicks just outside the box included.
My man of the match for the Reds is Marcus Rashford. This in spite of several missed chances, including an open goal. Marcus’s goal restored the two goal cushion, and the flip-flap as he went past Propper in the box was magic. All three of Manchester United’s victories in the Premier League this season have seen Marcus Rashford score the winning goal, with two of those winners coming from the penalty spot.
United are now unbeaten in their last 42 home games in the month of November since losing 1-2 against Chelsea in 1996. It’s the longest unbeaten home run in a single month in the competition’s history.
United thus sign off for the international break with five wins from their last six matches in all competitions, having now moved up to 7th place, just one point beneath 5th place Sheffield United.
An interesting statistic is that this was the youngest starting XI of any in the Premier League this season.
Article contributed by Contributor Kenneth. Comments are appreciated on our Facebook page.
If you would like to contribute, kindly get in touch with us on [email protected].