Reds stroll to win on south coast as Bruno claims record
Michael Carrick celebrated his first match in charge of the reds as we easily overcame Brighton today. Goals in the first half from Patrick Dorgu and Bryan Mbeumo were added to Bruno Fernandes after the break. Our captain also broke the assist record to make it a good day in the sun.
It was a major disappointment by the home side though. They had hopes of Champions League but were left in the Conference League. It was too much to overcome in the end.
Michael Carrick made three changes from the side who overcame Nottingham Forest last weekend. Casemiro was missing altogether while Diogo Dalot and Matheus Cunha dropped to the bench. In came Mason Mount, Noussair Mazraoui and Patrick Dorgu.
Fabian Hurzeler also made three changes. In came James Milner, Mats Wieffer, and Diego Gomez. Carlos Baleba was one of those who dropped to the bench.
Brighton were the side needing the result more than us. They were seeing a lot of the ball, but unable to do much with it. They had half chances from Diego Gomez and Ferdi Kadioglu but were unable to hit the target.
Mainoo appeared to be the midfielder tasked with lying deeper in the side. They were not offering much in attack themselves but holding the home side comfortably enough.
Another effort came to Maxim De Kuyper after 23 minutes. His fizzing effort from the edge of the area went just wide. It had Lammens scrambling though.
The lead goal came just after the half hour. Fernandes took a corner out on the right. Patrick Dorgu rose unmarked to smash home a header. It was the assist that allowed the Utd captain to take the outright record.
Kobbie Mainoo showed his ability in tight spaces to wriggle past four players. His eventual cut back was cleared though.
Just before the break, the lead was doubled. And it was delightful buildup play. Noussair Mazraoui found Amad Diallo out wide before the Ivorian played a one-two with Mason Mount. He received it back before a neat pass across the area to allow a simple tap-in for Bryan Mbuemo. It was his 11th of the season.
It was three shortly after the break. Fernandes received a neat pass from Diallo before slotting it past the stranded Bart Verbruggen. Dorgu had two strong efforts to further extend the lead that were saved by the Brighton keeper.
The introduction of Carlos Baleba did provide more energy to the hosts midfield. They were not able to make Lammens work too much. Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez marshalled the defense well to snuff out any potential threats.
Muted celebrations at the end as the home side did at least get some European spot. It will be a busy summer ahead for the reds. Already moves appear to be taking place for signings ahead of next season. It looks like others will have played their final game along with Casemiro and Tyrell Malacia. In the meantime, players will be getting ready for the World Cup and more for pre-season training.
All the very best!
Brighton and Hove Albion: Bart Verbruggen, Mats Wieffer, Jan Paul Van Hecke, Lewis Dunk, Ferdi Kadioglu, James Milner (Carlos Baleba 59), Pascal Gross, Diego Gomez (Solly March 59), Jack Hinshelwood (Georginio Rutter 74), Maxim De Kyuper (Yankuba Minteh 46), Danny Welbeck (Charalampus Kostoulas 59).
Subs not used: Jason Steele, Charalampus Kostoulas, Oliver Boscagli, Matt O’ Reilly, Joel Veltman
Booked: None
Sent Off: None
Manchester United: Senne Lammens, Noussair Mazraoui (Leny Yoro 73), Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw (Tyrell Malacia 81), Mason Mount (Tyler Fletcher 73), Kobbie Mainoo, Amad Diallo, Bruno Fernandes, Patrick Dorgu (Shea Lacey 61), Bryan Mbeumo (Joshua Zirkzee 73).
Subs not used: Altay Bayinder, Diogo Dalot, Matheus Cunha, Manuel Ugarte, Ayden Heaven.
Booked: Kobbie Mainoo (45+2)
Sent Off: None
Referee: Sam Barrott
Attendance: 31,729
Simply Red Man of the Match: Patrick Dorgu
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