Manchester United won a key 4–2 win at Old Trafford against Brighton on Saturday, as Ruben Amorim’s troubled reign finally hit a turning point. Bryan Mbeumo scored twice, and Matheus Cunha and Casemiro got on the score sheet to seal United’s third straight Premier League victory — the first such sequence for them since February 2024.
It was not all plain sailing for Amorim’s team. Brighton recovered from 3-0 down to make the scoreline more respectable but Mbeumo’s stoppage-time goal finally settled nerves and secured a much-needed victory. For a manager who acknowledged only weeks ago that his team had “no momentum,” this result was an overdue injection of positive energy at Old Trafford.
Amorim’s Tactical Masterclass Ends United’s Inconsistency
Ruben Amorim has been under scrutiny since taking charge, but his tactical decisions against Brighton showcased why United placed their faith in him. The Portuguese manager anticipated Brighton’s pattern of play — with forwards Georginio Rutter and Danny Welbeck dropping deep to link up — and instructed defenders Luke Shaw and Matthijs de Ligt to follow them aggressively.
That forward thinking provided United with an early grip and laid bare Brighton’s attempts to play out from defense. Matheus Cunha put United in front with his first goal since arriving from Wolves, hitting hard after a timely press. Casemiro doubled the lead quickly enough with a deflected strike from range, following on from Shaw’s pressure on Rutter that saw him present a loose ball.
Amorim’s tactical audacity again yielded dividends when Mbeumo netted a third, hammering a low shot through a defender’s legs and into the far corner. The new strike trio — Cunha, Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko — has provided United’s attack with much-needed fineness. It was a world away from last season’s blunt attack that frequently could not turn half-chances into goals.
But, as so often, United could not escape drama. After Casemiro had been replaced to keep him fit, Brighton pushed forward. Danny Welbeck curled in a beautiful free kick before Charalampos Kostoulas headed in to make it 3–2. Old Trafford was getting restless before Mbeumo scored again in stoppage time to bring back serenity and seal United’s third consecutive victory in all competitions.
Momentum Restored as United Rise into the Top Four
Amorim’s victory wasn’t just tactical; it also reflected the smart recruitment led by CEO Omar Berrada and football director Jason Wilcox. United’s summer additions — particularly Mbeumo and Cunha — have transformed the team’s offensive balance. Amorim himself acknowledged that having defenders like de Ligt and Shaw allowed him to press higher up the pitch, giving United greater control in transition.
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler also praised United’s intensity and organisation, saying his side “couldn’t handle the press in the first half”. That praise highlighted just how much energy United have now, compared with the early weeks of the season.
This result lifts Manchester United into the top four — a position Amorim had yet to reach in nearly a year at the helm. More importantly, it represents consistency: wins over Sunderland, Liverpool, and now Brighton show a clear pattern of progress.
Amorim summed it up best post-match: “We had to play different games in different moments. It would not be Manchester United without a little suffering, but we deserved to win.”
Author’s View: A Glimpse of Stability at Last
After months of tactical tweaks and uneven results, this match may stand as the first real evidence that Amorim’s philosophy is settling in. His side pressed intelligently, adapted to Brighton’s movements, and attacked with clinical precision. There are still defensive lapses to address — the late goals prove that — but United’s growing composure and confidence suggest a team finally in sync with its manager’s vision.
If this combination of tactical daring and emotional control is something Amorim can carry forward, Manchester United could be walking into the stability that their supporters have been longing for.
