Manchester United 2-1 Brighton: 3 Talking Points As United Academy Players Shine

Manchester United came from a goal down to beat Brighton at Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford cancelled out Danny Welbeck’s early opener, before Mason Greenwood’s late diving header completed yet another comeback under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer this season.

Here are 3 talking points from United’s eventful return to Premier League action:

1. Top 4 Race

With a win over Brighton, the Red Devils are now 11 points clear of fifth-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Newcastle. United legend Steve Bruce’s side came from behind to earn a well-deserved point, showing a fighting spirit similar to that of his former club.

Both Chelsea and Leicester City also lost their respective fixtures, giving United a breathing space in the second place.

Leicester’s defeat, however, also meant Man City moved closer to this season’s Premier League title. Now, a comfortable Champions League qualification is the only thing left for United to fight for.

In that regard, a game-week like this was certainly great for the Red side of Manchester.

 

2. Harry Maguire 

The United captain was involved in a game-changing incident on his 100th appearance for the club.

With the match poised at 1-1, Maguire made a goal-saving challenge to prevent Welbeck from scoring a brace, and giving the lead back to Brighton. Replays showed there was contact between Maguire and Welbeck.

However, Mike Dean and a VAR review didn’t award a penalty to Graham Potter’s team, giving critics of the technology one more incident to question the whole point of using it in the first place.

 

3. Made in Manchester

Welbeck’s header at the Stretford End didn’t reflect ably on Victor Lindelof’s aerial prowess or Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s awareness, but it certainly bode well for United’s academy.

The former Red Devil’s opener for the visitors alongside Rashford’s equaliser and Greenwood’s winner for the hosts meant all three names on the scoresheet on Sunday night were graduates of the club’s famed academy.

United, though, must be on their toes when they face Welbeck again, as he has returned to haunt back them several times now, becoming the first player to score three PL goals against Manchester United after leaving the club.