Match Review – Manchester United 1-0 Brighton

There was a special one in the dugout at Old Trafford, but it wasn’t José Mourinho. Chris Hughton continues to defy all expectations as Brighton should have had at least a point from their trip to Manchester United and probably all three.

The only goal of the game was officially recorded as an own goal after an Ashley Young shot hit Lewis Dunk and looped in over the head of Maty Ryan. Bar that unfortunate moment and a brilliant double save from Ryan from a Romelu Lukaku header and Paul Pogba’s follow up, United rarely threatened thanks to the excellence again of Dunk and Shane Duffy.

In fact, it was us who had the better chances and we could have been 3-0 up at the break. Glenn Murray came within inches of turning crosses home and Duffy headed a Pascal Gross cross off target when well placed.

The second half is a bit of a blur, given United’s brilliant policy of giving away any unpurchased pints of beer at the end of half time for free. In this age of Premier League greed and customers not fans, it seemed very rude not to take advantage of such a generous offer and so the WeAreBrighton.com team got through two each in five minutes.

Perhaps that policy also extends to free beer in the officials changing room,as there was plenty of controversy about the United goal. Firstly, it didn’t appear as if it was a corner anyway. Then, while the players awaited Marcus Rashford’s delivery, Lukaku took two off the ball kicks at Gaetan Bong, the second of which appeared to connect with Bong’s groinal region.

Either Mr Swarbick missed them or he chose to ignore the incident. Either way, it could have been a foul against Bong, a free kick to the Albion, a card for Lukaku and the ball not being delivered and finding its way to Young for the goal.

Mourinho said afterwards that we were the toughest team they’ve faced at Old Trafford this season, praise indeed. Three of the big six are out of the way now and we haven’t been disgraced in any of those games although the fact we haven’t scored in any either might be a concern.

But nobody could fault the players efforts on Saturday. For all the hatred United garner, Old Trafford is a fantastic venue for football and the Albion didn’t look out of place playing in such spectacular surroundings.

Now comes the small matter of following it up on Tuesday night…