Manchester United proved too strong for Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday as they moved up to seventh in the Premier League with a 3-1 win. Marcus Rashford saw an effort saved by Mathew Ryan in the Albion goal before United took the lead on 17 minutes.
Andreas Pereira’s grabbed his first goal of the season as his deflected shot beat Ryan, with Anthony Martial providing the assist.
An own goal from Davy Propper doubled the hosts’ advantage soon after, following a lengthy VAR check.
Shane Duffy nearly reduced the deficit on the half-hour mark but he bundled just wide of the post from a free-kick as United took a 2-0 lead into the break.
United continued to dominate after the break but Brighton managed to halve the deficit on 64 minutes when Lewis Dunk headed home substitute Pascal Gross’ corner.
Any chance of a fight back from the Seagulls was short lived though, as moments later Rashford restored United’s two-goal advantage.
Martial found himself in a shooting position but showed excellent awareness and unselfishness as he played in Rashford.
United could have won by a bigger margin had it not been for a fine display from Ryan, who denied Daniel James, Fred and Martial with the game already beyond his side, while Rashford somehow missed from six yards out with the goal at his mercy.
The pressure had been on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after a run of four Premier League games without a win at the end of last month but his United are now in their highest position for two months.
Brighton sit 11th and are seven points clear of danger, while just two adrift of Sheffield United in fifth.
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