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An early contender for the game of the season was played out between Brighton and Manchester United at the Amex Stadium that eventually ended 3-2 in favour of the visiting side.
After Neal Maupay had given Brighton the lead, Lewis Dunk’s own goal and Marcus Rashford’s strike swung the game in Manchester United’s favour before Solly March equalised late on. However, there was still time for United to be awarded a late spot-kick which Bruno Fernandes dispatched nervelessly in the tenth minute of injury time to seal a dramatic win.
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After coming close to opening the scoring in the game's early exchanges and hitting the woodwork multiple times, the hosts deservedly took the lead through Maupay’s penalty. Tariq Lamptey ran in behind the Manchester United defence and was brought down by Fernandes; Brighton’s French striker then converted from the spot with a cheeky Panenka.
Brighton had scarcely settled after scoring their opener when Manchester United were back on level terms with their first effort on target. Fernandes floated in a left-sided free-kick to the back post that was played back across the face of goal by Nemanja Matic and turned in by a combination of Lewis Dunk and Harry Maguire.
Brighton were awarded a second spot-kick soon after the half-time interval, though, when Paul Pogba brought down Aaron Connolly in the box.
However, the decision was overturned by VAR before Manchester United took the lead a few minutes later. Marcus Rashford cut in from the left and sat a couple of Brighton’s defenders down before firing a deflected left-footed shot into the top-right corner.
Despite the best efforts of the home side who peppered the Manchester United goal with shots, the Red Devils maintained their lead till the 95th minute. March then headed home a cross from the right, coming in unmarked at the back post to secure what he thought was a well-deserved point for his side, but Manchester United had other ideas.
United went up the other end and forced their first corner of the game. The resultant cross was headed towards goal by Maguire and took a flick off Maupay’s outstretched arm, which led to the visitors being awarded a late penalty. Fernandes stepped up and converted the spot-kick with aplomb to secure all three points for his side.
On that note, here are the five major talking points from an enthralling affair at the Amex Stadium.
#1 VAR takes centre-stage
While much can be made of Brighton’s slick play and Manchester United’s sluggish midfield and defence and their pacy forwards, the spotlight in this game firmly shone on the VAR which was kept quite busy throughout the course of the game.
Manchester United had goals chalked off for offside in each half while Brighton had a penalty disallowed just after the break. The hosts' opener, which came from the penalty spot, was also reviewed by VAR, but the call stood.
VAR was in action till the last minute of the game when Manchester United were awarded a very late spot-kick after Neal Maupay handled the ball inside his box in the final exchanges. Although neither side could really complain about the legitimacy of any of the decisions, VAR’s prominent involvement was certainly a major talking point in the game.
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#2 A worrying dip in form for Manchester United’s central midfield stars
When Bruno Fernandes arrived in England in January, few could have foreseen the impact he would have on Manchester United’s fortunes. His performances from midfield were crucial in United’s run to third place that secured Champions League football for the Red Devils.
However, his form seemed to have taken a slight dip towards the end of last season as the games came thick and fast for Manchester United. It seems as if the start of the season came a bit too early for the Portuguese playmaker who has seemed off the pace in his first two outings.
Fernandes’ midfield partner Paul Pogba, who came in for some criticism for his showing against Palace, has similarly appeared off the boil as well. His performance against Brighton was not much encouraging either as he was taken off with 25 minutes to go.
Both of Manchester United’s midfield stars also conceded penalties to further blot their copybooks; the Frenchman’s transgression, fortunately, was rescinded by VAR, but Fernandes was not so lucky.
Although Fernandes went on to redeem himself by grabbing an assist and a very late winner, Manchester United would like their star midfielders to deliver much more consistently if they are to replicate their positive showing from last season.
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#3 Tariq Lamptey could be England’s next new star at right-back
Given how young England’s (arguably) first-choice right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is, it might seem strange to already be talking about the next bright young thing in that position. However, despite England’s embarrassment of riches at right-back, Brighton’s Tariq Lamptey is fast emerging as another bright prospect.
The former Chelsea youngster, who made his debut for England’s U-21 side recently, has started the new domestic season in fine fashion. Having displayed great pace, skill and trickery in winning a penalty last weekend against Newcastle, Lamptey repeated the same in the first half against Manchester United.
He continued posing a serious threat to Manchester United’s nervous defence all match while fulfilling his defensive responsibilities as well. All signs point to a breakthrough campaign if his performances continue to be of this standard this season.
#4 Manchester United’s defence led a charmed life
Having one, or maybe two, efforts come back off the woodwork are part and parcel of the game, but Brighton would consider themselves incredibly unlucky as they were denied by the frame of the Manchester United goal on no less than five occasions.
The Seagulls hit both posts and the crossbar in the first half and followed that up with two more attempts against the woodwork in the second. Leandro Trossard was especially unfortunate in this regard as he was denied a hat-trick by the Manchester United woodwork. Solly March and Adam Webster also came agonisingly close to scoring only to see their efforts come back off the post.
Brighton sent down a barrage of shots towards the Manchester United goal throughout the game, some going quite close, while others were kept out by David de Gea who came away from this match with several positives.
#5 Manchester United’s defensive-midfield conundrum
Despite trying out Scott McTominay in his side’s defeat to Crystal Palace, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer reverted to the tried and tested Nemanja Matic in the heart of midfield for the game at Brighton.
While Matic adds some much-needed solidity to the side besides providing defensive cover, questions remain about Manchester United’s inability to stay secure at the back when the Serb is not on the pitch.
McTominay and Fred have failed to impress when deployed in the defensive midfield spot while new signing Donny van de Beek is accustomed to a more advanced midfield role. Given how heavily Manchester United depend on their front-three and one attacking midfielder going forward, the role of the defensive midfielder becomes even more important for the Red Devils.
While one would have expected United to have Matic’s eventual replacement already at the club, it could be fair to expect a new arrival in that position sooner rather than later.
