Brighton and Hove Albion snatched victory in the 95th minute against Manchester United to send the home fans at the Amex wild and continue Fabian Hurzeler’s perfect start to life in the Premier League.
Danny Welbeck put Brighton 1-0 up but United equalized in the second half through Amad Diallo and then had a goal disallowed for offside at a pivotal moment as Alejandro Garnacho and Joshua Zirzkee made a real hash of a simple tap in.
With the win Brighton have two victories from two, while United have one win and a loss heading into their big game against Liverpool next weekend.
Defensive lapses cost United dear again
Erik ten Hag was fuming with the way Manchester United conceded twice against Brighton and in a tight game which United could have easily won, they lost because of poor positioning and switching off. De Ligt and Shaw will surely come in to the starting lineup and United are still a work in progress but this defeat at Brighton, their fifth in six games against the Seagulls, will start the crisis early this season. Ahead of their game against Liverpool next time out the narrative will be one of pressure building on Erik ten Hag. The calamitous disallowed goal by Zirkzee summed United’s general haphazardness. New season, same old story, so far, for United.
Brighton vs Manchester United player ratings
Via our friends at FotMob.com, you can see that Brighton’s forwards Welbeck and Pedro ran the show and gave United’s defense a torrid time and came up big with the goals.
What’s next?
Man United host Liverpool next Sunday, September 1. Brighton head to Arsenal on Saturday, August 31.
How to watch Brighton vs Manchester United, stream link and start time
Kick off time: 7:30am ET Saturday (August 24)
Venue: Amex Stadium
TV channel: Peacock Premium
Streaming: Premier League on Peacock
Brighton vs Manchester United final score: 2-1
Welbeck 32’, Pedro 95'; Amad 60’
Brighton vs Manchester United live updates! - By Joe Prince-Wright
Full time: Brighton 2-1 Manchester United
What a fantastic game to kick off the Premier League action on Saturday. Brighton had plenty of chances and finally buried one late on after United had rallied and looked the more likely to win it. Erik ten Hag will be really disappointed with the defending on both Brighton goals.
Joao Pedro wins it in the 95th minute! Brighton 2-1 Manchester United (95th minute)
They’ve done it! Pedro heads home at the back post. The Amex has gone bonkers.
Enciso slams over
We are in to stoppage time and Julio Enciso cuts inside and slams a shot just over the bar. Brighton are pushing for the winner.
Oh my. No goal! Zirkzee slides in and it’s offside
Zirkzee will not want to see that one back. Garnacho taps it in to an empty net but the ball hits Zirkzee on the knee as he slides in and he’s offside. VAR rules it out for offside. Zirkzee had to leave it but Garnacho didn’t need to hit the shot near him.
United equalize through Amad (Brighton 1-1 Man United) - 60th minute
There it is. Amad Diallo’s deflected shot flies in and United are level. Just after Brighton had hit the crossbar. A VAR check in the build up shows it was onside. The goal stands.
Half time: Brighton 1-0 Man United
Not a lot in that half in terms of goalscoring opportunities but Brighton took their chance through Welbeck and United missed their big opportunity through Amad Diallo. Erik ten Hag will surely bring on the likes of Garnacho, Zirkzee and Antony very soon.
Rashford has the ball in the net but it’s disallowed
Oh wow. It looked like United had equalized right away as Rashford flicked home. But he was offside when his initial header was superbly saved by Jason Steele. Almost the perfect response from United but it’s the Brighton fans who are belting out sarcastic cheers as the flag was up correctly as Rashford has just strayed offside.
Welbeck pokes home - Brighton 1-0 Man United (32nd minute)
He’s done it again against United! Welbeck pokes home a teasing cross and United’s defending leaves a lot to be desired there. The Seagulls open the scoring with their first chance of the game.
Dalot whips in a fine cross and Amad goes close
What a brilliant cross and Amad has to score. Big chance.
The Seagulls are knocking it around nicely but United are pressing them high and causing problems. Even start.
Brighton lineup
Steele; Hinselwood, Dunk, Van Hecke, Veltman; Gilmour, Milner; Mitoma, Joao Pedro, Minteh; Welbeck
Gilmour comes in for Wieffer who has a small injury.
Manchester United lineup
Onana; Dalot, Martinez, Maguire, Mazraoui; Mainoo, Casemiro; Rashford, Mount, Amad; Fernandes
No place for Sancho in the squad, while United are unchanged from the side which beat Fulham.
Brighton team news, focus
The Seagulls looked good despite the exit of Pascal Gross for Borussia Dortmind this summer, and it’s easy to forget they finished last season without fantastic winger Kaoru Mitoma. He scored, and new boys Mats Wieffer and Yankuba Minteh each had assists in the win. Another encouraging display was wily veteran forward Danny Welbeck, who posted a goal and an assist.
OUT: Solly March (knee), Bart Verbruggen (undisclosed), Julio Enciso (knee) Igor (other) | QUESTIONABLE: Evan Ferguson (ankle), Pervis Estupinan (calf), Tariq Lamptey (undisclosed), Brajan Gruda (other)
Manchester United team news, focus
The Red Devils manufactured threat and limited danger from Fulham despite the absences of Luke Shaw, Rasmus Hojlund, and Tyrell Malacia amongst others. Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui impressed at full back while Harry Maguire had an impressive showing next to Lisandro Martinez at center back. Matthijs de Ligt subbed in late, and manager Erik ten Hag has a nice headache when it comes to sorting his back line once healthy.
OUT: Victor Lindelof (undisclosed), Luke Shaw (calf), Leny Yoro (foot), Rasmus Hojlund (hamstring), Will Fish (ankle), Tyrell Malacia (knee) | QUESTIONABLE: Jadon Sancho (other), Harry Maguire (other)
Brighton vs Manchester United prediction
This is a tricky one to call, as United were far from consistent under Ten Hag. If they perform anywhere near their +1.99 xG advantage over Fulham, they will be a problem for the Seagulls. Brighton’s midfield and back line are sound. Will Hurzeler push the pace against United? Is Ten Hag going to be very respectful of the Seagulls’ threat? We’re seeing split spoils. Brighton 1-1 Manchester United.