It was the first game for Rasmus Hojlund as a starter for Manchester United and this was his chance to show his skills in a tough game and a tough opponent like Brighton. De Zerbi started Welbeck an ex United striker.
The match started with an early yellow for Tarik Lamptey in the third minute. Rashford tried to use this advantage and started to press in his wing shooting in the 6th minute but his shot was stopped by Steele.
Rashford tried once more with Hojlund and Rashford who were not able to find the right connection in the tenth minute. United were playing better and insisting on finding the back of the net and being able to manage the game later.
Brighton defended better in the early minutes sitting back with two lines behind the ball. United kept possession in the first 20 minutes. Brighton responded with Danny Welbeck who scored in the penalty spot and defeated Onana. Adingra was the assist man with a perfect low pass in the 19th minute.
United reacted after the first goal
Rashford couldn’t find a way through five minutes later. Welbeck had a chance in the 32nd, but his shot ended over the bar.
But the match was intense and beautiful and United had the answer with Marcus Rashford who found the post one minute later.
Hojlund equalized in the 40th minute scoring with an empty net, but Rashford’s pass was initiated when the ball had crossed the line.
Marcus Rashford put power behind a diagonal but the ball ended outside the target in the 47th minute.
The second half started with United attacking and Rashford could have scored in the 47th with a solo run but was blocked by Lamptey and van Hecke. United were still the better team on the pitch, but this meant nothing as Brighton had a precious lead.
Rashford tried once more on the left side in the 51st, but his shot went wide. Brighton responded fashionably in the 54th minute.
Gross had space in the center of the zone and punished Onana for the second time with a powerful shoot.
Fernandez tried from the distance in the 56 minute but Steele is there to save the shot. United needed the early subs and they needed them fast to alter the course of this match.
Both, ten Hag and De Zerbi made their movements. Hojlund left the pitch with the crowd whistling his sub and Antony Martial was on in the 66th minute. Casemiro left also for Mejbri.
Brighton and Hove Albion substituted Adam Lallana and Danny Welbeck with Ansu Fati and Joao Pedro in the 64th minute.
Brighton score the third
Joao Pedro had the shot of the game and sealed the game with a brilliant attempt in the 18-yard box in the 72nd. Brighton had a perfect game, with the performance of United that is below their average level. The nightmares of the start of last season are there.
70': SO GOOD from Albion! 🙌 Tariq races down the left and pulls it back to Joao, who hits a first time finish into the top corner from the edge of the box! 🇧🇷
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) September 16, 2023
[0-3] 📲 https://t.co/S3j1TIedJv // #BHAFC 🔵⚪️ https://t.co/cOZHlXf00f
Hannibal responded with a beautiful shot from the distance in the 73rd making the result 1-3.
A first-ever @PremierLeague goal for @HannibalMejbri ❤️#MUFC || #MUNBHA pic.twitter.com/0CxYaTHmtx
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) September 16, 2023
The match was on fire and both squads were opened to give more spectacle and great moments. Fernandez delivered a cross in the 75th and Lindelof should have scored in the six-yard box.
Dahood is replaced by Billy Gilmour and Brighton has a different style of play.
Mitoma made a sprint in the 77th passing Dalot, but not Onana to score the fourth. The amount of space that United left for Brighton to create was enormous and this reflected on the game and the goals they conceded.
Evan Ferguson came on for Simon Adingra in the 86th. United made three subs simultaneously. Garnacho replaced Reguillon, Wan Bissaka replaced Lisandro Martinez and Scott McTomminay was replaced by Facundo Pellistri.
Six minutes were added on and Ansu Fati had a chance in front of Onana but could not score with five minutes to go.
The match ended with Brighton’s win and a good performance by the visitors as United needs to find their identity this season.