Man United 2-1 Brighton: Lallana and Welbeck roll back years in ratings
Simply Red sung about Holding Back The Years but for Adam Lallana and Danny Welbeck, it was a case of rolling them back as the ex-England duo finished joint top of the WAB Player Ratings for Man United 2-1 Brighton.
The first half in particular at Old Trafford was like watching England circa 2015-16. Lallana was the best midfielder on the park and Welbeck scored a fine goal after managing to find space in the box and clinically converting a rebound after his header had been saved by Dean Henderson. Yes, we really have just used the word ‘clinical’ to describe an Albion striker.
Brighton’s performance tailed off a little after the break as Man United turned the game around to claim all three points. Welbeck though should have been awarded a second half penalty when he was prevented reaching Neal Maupay’s low cross by a grappling Harry Maguire.
If Maguire does not hold him back, Welbeck gets there and beats Henderson to put the Albion 2-1 up. With Maguire holding him, Mike Dean or VAR should be giving a spot kick.
Either way, Brighton have a golden opportunity to retake the lead with 20 minutes remaining and it is a very different game (we are of course conveniently ignoring the fact that the Albion would probably have missed any resulting penalty).
Not for the first time this season, it was questionable refereeing which cost Graham Potter and his players something against United. Here are your Albion player ratings for Man United 2-1 Brighton.
Robert Sanchez – 6.69
Despite United being dominant for the vast majority of the second half, he actually had very little to do in the way of saves bar sprawling at the feet of Bruno Fernandes. Both United goals appeared to brush his fingers, leading some supporters to say he perhaps could have done better.
Ben White – 6.77
The defender was shown the difference between Championship football and the Premier League when given the run around by Marcus Rashford in September’s meeting at the Amex. Coped much better here, a sign of the progress he has made in his first season of top flight football.
Lewis Dunk – 7.46
Some trademark blocks at one end and nearly put Brighton 2-0 ahead at the other, only for his towering first half header from a Pascal Gross delivery to be superbly tipped over by Henderson.
Joel Veltman – 6.38
A rare low score in comparison to his teammates for the Dutch defender. He was partly at fault for the United equaliser when losing possession. Tried to recover the situation by making a rash tackle on Fernandes which was a joy to watch given the Portugal international’s love of whinging.
Pascal Gross – 6.23
Struggled to make much impression from open play but his set piece deliveries were excellent, including the free kick which Dunk met and a corner towards the end of the first half resulting in a Jakub Moder volley deflecting just wide.
Yves Bissouma – 7.46
Was it convenient that his best performance for a couple of months came against a side who have been strongly linked with signing him this summer? The watching United hierarchy would have been impressed as he frequently broke up the home side’s attacks to put the Albion back on the front foot in the first half.
ADAM LALLANA – 7.77
The fourth game running that he has been the highest scoring Brighton player in our WAB ratings. At the heart of everything Brighton did with the ball and the clearest leader that Potter has out on the pitch. Given how much-maligned the Albion’s medical team have been this season, they deserve really credit for getting him back to fitness and performing like this.
Jakub Moder – 6.85
Strange ratings for the Polish midfielder in Man United 2-1 Brighton as he was excellent in the first half but less so in the second. Would have opened his Albion account were it not for his volley from Gross’ first half corner being deflected just wide.
Leandro Trossard – 6.15
Did not quite manage to reach the levels which saw him nominated for March’s Premier League Player of the Month award. Struggled to get involved in an attacking sense, instead having to settle for winning back possession before being replaced just past the hour mark.
Neal Maupay – 6.54
Potter’s new split striker system may be only 180 minutes old, but it does seem to be bringing out the best in the French forward. He caused really problems for United out on the right, delivering a peach of a cross for Welbeck to open the scoring. It was his low sweeping pass into the box which Welbeck was trying to reach when Harry Maguire went all Stone Cold Steve Austin in the box.
DANNY WELBECK – 7.77
Became the first ex-United player to score three times against his former employer. He was not just a constant threat to United in the box either; his work rate and willingness to track back was seriously impressive and often saw him helping out Lallana and Bissouma as they attempted to prevent United breaking through. A brilliant performance that must surely push him closer to securing a new contract.
Alexis Mac Allister – 5.85
Had 25 minutes to make an impression but struggled to get into the game much as by the time he was introduced, it was beginning to resemble the Alamo with United well on top.
The WAB Player Ratings are formulated using marks out of 10 given by Brighton fans via Twitter. To have your scores included, follow We Are Brighton on Twitter and look out for the player rating thread after each game.
