Man United 1-3 Brighton: Record breaker Mitoma tops ratings

What a lovely Sunday afternoon for Kaoru Mitoma. Not only did Man United 1-3 Brighton see him become Japan’s all-time leading Premier League goal scorer, but he also topped the Albion player ratings with one of the highest scores of the season so far.

Mitoma led the way with a mammoth 8.75. Not far behind was his fellow winger from the opposite flank. Yankubu Minteh delivered easily his best performance so far in a Brighton shirt to score 8.63.

Both ended their afternoon with a goal and assist each. Mitoma set up Minteh for the opener. Minteh returned the favour to Mitoma for the second.

The fact that Brighton’s two wingers were the two best players on the pitch is testament to the way Fabian Hurzeler set his side up.

Ruben Amorim remains wedded to the 3-4-3 formation which delivered stunning success at Sporting Portugal. United though have a squad ill-equipped to play with wing backs.

The Youngest Permanent Manager in Premier League History realised this. Mitoma and Minteh were subsequently pushed high, where they ruthlessly exploited the obscene amount of space United left in wide areas in their defensive third. The results were glorious.

And whilst Mitoma and Minteh stole the show, they had a magnificent supporting cast behind them. This was a professional, clinical display from the Albion. A million miles away from anything we saw during that recent barren run of eight games without victory.

Here are your Man United 1-3 Brighton player ratings.

Bart Verbruggen – 6.63

How many goalkeepers go to Old Trafford and face only one shot on target – and that being a the penalty? It was Verbruggen’s poor pass which led to the spot kick but he was solid other than that.

Joel Veltman – 7.25

We won’t bore you again repeating the statistical difference between Brighton defensively with Veltman and without him. Everyone knows by now what he brings to the party and it was once again evidenced in full technicolour glory against United.

Jan Paul van Hecke – 7.38

Some crucial interventions, including one magnificently timed sliding tackle on Joshua Zirkzee. Would have come away with an assist too had VAR not controversially ruled he fouled Diogo Dalot in the build up to Joao Pedro striking early in the second half.

Lewis Dunk – 7.25

Banished the memories of what happened last time he returned to the starting XI at the expense of an in-form defender. Seamlessly replaced Adam Webster – in stark contrast to when he came back in for Igor Julio in December.

Pervis Estupinan – 6.88

Probably deserves a higher player ratings score than this given he was facing Amad Diallo, who came into Man United 1-3 Brighton full of confidence after his 12 minute hat-trick saved the Red Devils from an embarrassing defeat against Southampton in midweek.

Carlos Baleba – 7.75

Why Baleba thought it a good idea to try and piggyback Zirkzee in the box is an absolute mystery. Conceding the spot kick which gave United their goal aside, this was an otherwise powerful midfield display. The highlight obviously being his raking 70 yard pass which caught the home defence out to send Mitoma racing clear in the build up to the first goal.

Yasin Ayari – 8.13

Like Minteh, another for whom this qualifies as their best display for the Albion so far. Played a huge part in goal two with a driving run at the United defence before slipping the ball right to Minteh. Ayari then set up the third goal, via a helping hand from Andre Onana spilling his cross straight to Georginio Rutter.

Yankubu Minteh – 8.63

Explosive stuff from the wide man. Drifted in unnoticed from his flank to convert Mitoma’s square pass and give Brighton the lead. His teasing cross to the far post then proved perfect for Mitoma to turn home on the stretch.

Joao Pedro – 7.50

Not as influential as Minteh, Mitoma or Danny Welbeck. But he still worked hard, caused United plenty of problems and would have had a deserved goal without that awful VAR decision.

KAORU MITOMA – 8.75

Wrote his name into the Japanese and Premier League history books in style. Clever, unselfish play gave Mitoma an assist for the Minteh goal. His electric pace then got carried him towards the back post to convert when Minteh crossed. Unplayable on days like this even for the best opponents in the world, let alone a United side devoid of confidence.

Danny Welbeck – 7.63

Welbz is Dat Guy. Had to be named in the starting XI thanks to his ridiculous scoring record against United. Unable to add it, but what Welbeck brings to the side in terms of being a focal point of the attack and stretching defences makes Brighton a different beast compared to when he is absent.

Solly March – 7.25

Longest run out since his return from 14 months on the sidelines with an ACL injury. March played a part in the third Brighton goal, knocking a Van Hecke pass down the line first time for Ayari to latch onto.

Georginio Rutter – 7.88

Only on the pitch for 20 minutes and yet he still rides high with the third best score in the Man United 1-3 Brighton ratings. Showed quick feet and a cool head to round Onana after the United goalkeeper dropped the ball before firing into an empty net for his fourth goal in three games.

Tariq Lamptey – 6.63

With Estupinan starting to tire, Diallo became more prominent heading into the final 15 minutes. Lamptey did an underrated job coming off the bench in helping shore up the defence by keeping pace with Diallo.

The WAB Player Ratings are formulated using marks out of 10 given by Brighton fans via social media. To have your scores included, follow We Are Brighton on Twitter or We Are Brighton on Bluesky and look out for the player rating thread after each game.