(Action Images via Reuters)
Manchester United suffered an early setback against Premier League leaders Brighton in the lunchtime kick-off as former striker Danny Welbeck broke the deadlock at the Amex Stadium.
Erik ten Hag’s side are looking to build on an encouraging victory over Fulham in their opening match of the season, but Brighton have had an exceptional start to the new season.
And Fabian Hurzeler has instilled confidence immediately, with their promising early form carrying over here after travelling to Merseyside to inflict a heavy defeat on Everton at Goodison Park.
A lovely move in the first half, involving Kaoru Mitoma, saw Danny Welbeck escape Harry Maguire to poke home into the empty net from close range.
United, playing without a conventional No.9, almost hit back immediately with Marcus Rashford’s spectacular rebound after Jason Steele’s fine stop, but the assistant referee raised his flag for offside. Follow all the action from today’s Premier League encounter below:
Brighton vs Manchester United
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Brighton host Manchester United in the Premier League, live on TNT Sports
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Both clubs won their opening matches and will want to continue their winning runs
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35’ DISALLOWED! – Rashford’s equaliser is chalked off for offside (BHA 1-0 MUN)
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32’ GOAL! – Welbeck pokes home from close range (BHA 1-0 MUN)
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12’ CLOSE! – Amad’s volley sails wide of the near post (BHA 0-0 MUN)
Brighton & Hove Albion FC 1 – 1 Manchester United FC
Brighton 1-1 Man Utd
13:54 , Mike Jones
66 mins: Erik ten Hag whips off Marcus Rashford and introduces Alejandro Garnacho. Man Utd have two young and quick attackers on both wings now which could be dangerous for Brighton.
The United fans are singing Garnacho’s name already.
Brighton 1-1 Man Utd
13:52 , Mike Jones
63 mins: This match is alive now. Brighton were in the ascendancy until that equaliser. Alejandro Garnacho is about to come on for the visitors who hope to win this game from here.
A touch under 30 minutes to decide the outcome of this match on the south coast.
GOAL! Brighton 1-1 Man Utd (Amad, 60’)
13:50 , Mike Jones
60 mins: That’s the equaliser!
It’ll probably go down as an own goal off Jan Paul van Hecke but Manchester United have their goal. Amad Diallo is slipped in on the right wing and collects the ball.
He strides up to the box then cuts inside of Jack Hinshelwood before smoking a low left-footed effort at goal.
Van Hecke slides across to try and block it but deflects the ball past his own goalkeeper and watches it finish in the back of the net.
For now the goal has gone down as Amad Diallo’s.
Brighton 1-0 Man Utd
13:46 , Mike Jones
57 mins: James Milner and Amad Diallo come together on the edge of United’s box with Milner winning the battle and the free kick for Brighton.
The set piece is delivered into the penalty area by Yankuba Minteh who picks out Danny Welbeck.
His header is great but the ball rattles into the crossbar and bounces away!
Brighton 1-0 Man Utd
13:43 , Mike Jones
54 mins: Oh my! It’s quick play from United after a long ball over the top. Lewis Dunk heads it down to Bruno Fernandes who laces a pass over to Joshua Zirkzee.
He touches the ball into the box then pulls it back to Fernandes who flicks it up and scuffs an attempted volley into the arms of Jason Steele.
That was almost great but the end product was poor.
Brighton 1-0 Man Utd
13:41 , Mike Jones
51 mins: Chance!
Joao Pedro drives into the penalty area before nudging the ball across to James Milner for Brighton. He flicks it towards goal where Andre Onana manages to get a touch on the ball and slow it down.
The effort looks to be crossing the line but Diogo Dalot gets back and manages to hook the ball clear!
Brighton 1-0 Man Utd
13:38 , Mike Jones
48 mins: It’s been a slow start to the second half for Man Utd who hope to keep possession and build out from the back. The rain is picking up too making the conditions ever trickier.
Second half! Brighton 1-0 Man Utd
13:34 , Mike Jones
Erik ten Hag makes one change at the break with Joshua Zirkzee brought on to replace Mason Mount. It’s slightly harsh on Mount, unless he’s injured, as the United No. 7 had a decent first half.
Brighton get the ball rolling again with Joao Pedro sprinting down the left side. He sends it across to James Milner who takes a touch then curls a shot over the crossbar!
Quick restart to this game.
HT Brighton 1-0 Man Utd
13:30 , Mike Jones
Manchester United edged possession and chances created in the first half. Brighton’s big chance (and only one on target) came to Danny Welbeck who finished it perfectly.
Last week, it was United’s substitutes who changed the momentum of the game. Erik ten Hag will need something similar this afternoon.
Erik ten Hag gives Jadon Sancho transfer update as Manchester United exit looms
13:27 , Mike Jones
Erik ten Hag insists Jadon Sancho must fight for his place with the Manchester United winger travelling with the squad to face Brighton despite speculation linking him with a move away.
Sancho has been out of favour at Old Trafford, returning from a loan move to Borussia Dortmund last season. The 24-year-old winger has been linked to Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus, but the player travelled with the squad to face the Seagulls on Saturday amid a shortage of options.
Ten Hag did not include Sancho on the bench but did urge the player to compete for his place.
Ten Hag gives Sancho transfer update as Man Utd exit looms
HT Brighton 1-0 Man Utd
13:23 , Mike Jones
Danny Welbeck’s opener was the 100th goal of his club career in all competitions, while he’s only scored more against West Ham (7) than he has against former side Manchester United (6).
(REUTERS)
Half-time! Brighton 1-0 Man Utd
13:17 , Mike Jones
45+1 mins: Brighton have had one chance and they’ve taken it. The hosts lead at the half-time break after Manchester United looked the more promising team.
Erik ten Hag has a big team talk coming up but things are looking pretty for the Premier League leaders as it stands.
Brighton 1-0 Man Utd
13:12 , Mike Jones
41 mins: Van Hecke is good!
Rashford slots a nice ball into the box for Fernandes but the defender gets to it first. He’s tussled and tugged by the United captain but stands strong and throws Fernandes off before clearing his lines.
Van Hecke has been the standout for Brighton in defence so far. That’s just another moment of composure from him.
Brighton 1-0 Man Utd
13:08 , Mike Jones
38 mins: Mason Mount curls a low pass into the box aiming for Marcus Rashford but Jan Paul van Hecke sticks out a leg and pokes it behind for a corner.
The set piece is nodded away by Billy Gilmour and Brighton’s lead remains in tact for now.
DISALLOWED! Brighton 1-0 Man Utd
13:05 , Mike Jones
35 mins: Almost the perfect response from Man Utd. A counter attack sees them sweep forward on the right and whip the ball over to Marcus Rashford.
Jason Steele makes a good save initially but the ball comes back to the forward who manages to flick it over the goalkeeper.
The celebrations begin but the offside flag is raised and VAR confirms that Rashford had strayed too far ahead of the defenders.
GOAL! Brighton 1-0 Man Utd (Welbeck, 32’)
13:03 , Mike Jones
32 mins: Danny Welbeck!
Brighton have the opening goal. A simple cross into the box by Joao Pedro is let go by Harry Maguire and gets picked up by Kaoru Mitoma.
Mitoma laces the ball back into the six-yard box and Welbeck is there to tip the ball past Andre Onana and send the hosts into the lead!
Brighton 0-0 Man Utd
13:00 , Mike Jones
30 mins: Oh nice! Man Utd keep the ball alive after a corner and it drops to Diogo Dalot. He takes a touch then curls a shot towards the far top corner.
It’s a decent effort but whips just wide of the post.
Brighton 0-0 Man Utd
12:56 , Mike Jones
27 mins: Before the match, the pundits and experts believed this game would be decided in the final 20 minutes with the impact of the substitutes potential deciding the game one way or the other.
So far, it feels as though things are shaping up that way. United have been solid defensively and have created two very good chances. Brighton seem comfortable enough but would like more penetrating possession.
Brighton 0-0 Man Utd
12:54 , Mike Jones
24 mins: Joel Veltman handles the ball trying to shield it from Bruno Fernandes. Brighton give up a free kick that the United captain stands over.
Amad is with him and the youngster takes the set piece, swinging it into the middle of the penalty area. Casemiro is there first and powers his header over the top of the crossbar!
Brighton 0-0 Man Utd
12:52 , Mike Jones
21 mins: Danny Welbeck collects the ball, holds it up then turns and releases Joao Pedro to the edge of the box. It’s a good opportunity for Brighton but before Pedro can shift the ball Kobbie Mainoo slides in from the left and pokes it away from him.
Great tackle.
Brighton 0-0 Man Utd
12:49 , Mike Jones
18 mins: Minteh has been Brighton’s most direct player thus far. A run into the box comes to an end when Casemiro tracks back to dispossess him.
There’s been a couple of moments where Brighton have threatened to be dangerous but they haven’t converted them into clear cut chances yet.
Brighton 0-0 Man Utd
12:46 , Mike Jones
15 mins: A slight break for Man Utd sees Amad drive the ball forward after he’s picked out by Mason Mount. Noussair Mazraoui strides forward with him and receives the ball.
He flays a low cross towards the box but can’t find a teammate and Brighton clear the danger.
Brighton 0-0 Man Utd
12:42 , Mike Jones
12 mins: Close! Onana sprays the ball over to the left wing where Diogo Dalot has run high up the pitch. He flicks it on and chases after his own header.
A lovely cross from the left-back picks out Amad Diallo by the far post and his volley is drilled wide of the neares post!
Brighton 0-0 Man Utd
12:41 , Mike Jones
9 mins: Brighton are easing themselves into this game trying to get some possession and better field position. James Milner recovers the ball high up the pitch and offloads it to Joao Pedro.
Pedro spins and takes a shot from range but pulls it wide of the target.
Brighton 0-0 Man Utd
12:38 , Mike Jones
6 mins: Erik ten Hag has named an unchanged Man Utd team due, in part, to how impressive they started the game against Fulham.
Two false nines in Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes have helped the Red Devils press higher up the pitch and it wins them the first corner of the game.
Fernandes whips the cross into the middle, aiming for Kobbie Mainoo, but Jan Paul van Hecke is on hand to clear for Brighton.
Brighton 0-0 Man Utd
12:34 , Mike Jones
3 mins: Yankuba Minteh is fed down the right wing for Brighton and gets to the byline before the tackle comes in. His cross flies into the box but Andre Onana has it covered well enough.
Bright start for the hosts.
Kick off! Brighton 0-0 Man Utd
12:31 , Mike Jones
Bruno Fernandes gets the ball rolling at the Amex Stadium and Man Utd send it back to Andre Onana. He launches a long ball up towards Marcus Rashford but Brighton recover the ball and pass it into the midfield.
There’s a tussle which results in a Man Utd throw in.
Brighton vs Man Utd
12:26 , Mike Jones
Almost time for kick at the Amex Stadium. Just one change from either team with Billy Gilmour slotting into Brighton’s midfield.
After wins for the Seagulls and United last week they will both be confident of building on that start and earning three points today. United’s pressing will be a key factor in their performance. If it’s as strong and efficient as their game against Fulham then Brighton will have a tough time of things.
But, if the hosts can break through the press they’ll find space to get at the United defence and Joao Pedro, Danny Welbeck and Kaoru Mitoma will need their shooting boots on to take advantage.
This game promises excitement and intrigued. The players will be heading out onto the pitch and kick off is up next…
Brighton vs Man Utd line-ups
11:15 , Mike Jones
Brighton XI: Steele; Veltman, Van Hecke, Dunk, Hinshelwood; Milner, Gilmour; Minteh, Pedro, Mitoma; Welbeck
TEAM NEWS! 🚨 Here’s our starting XI for today’s #PL match against @ManUtd. 👀📝 pic.twitter.com/gXk7OgldXq
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 24, 2024
Man Utd XI: Onana; Mazraoui, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Mainoo, Casemiro; Amad, Mount, Rashford; Fernandes
The boss names an unchanged team — let’s go United! 👏❤️#MUFC || #BHAMUN
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 24, 2024
Good morning!
Friday 23 August 2024 14:57 , Mike Jones
Welcome to The Independent’s coverage of today’s Premier League action as Brighton play host to Manchester United in the first match of the weekend’s fixtures.
The Seagulls could take a firm grip of top spot if they comfortably defeat the Red Devils after a 3-0 victory over Everton sent them to the top of the league table following the opening round of fixtures.
Manchester United also collected three points against Fulham. Joshua Zirkzee arrived off the bench to slot home Alejandro Garnacho’s cross for the only goal of the game.
Neither side will want to relinquish the momentum they are building so this should be a fascinating contest. We’ll have all the team news, updates and more throughout the day so stick with us as we build up to kick off at 12.30pm.
