Sunday, April 4, 2021 at 10:25 PM• Yanick Vos • Last update: 22:30

Manchester United booked a tight victory over Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday evening. Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team made a poor impression in the first half and went to rest with a 0-1 deficit, but recovered in the second half. With goals from Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood, United won 2-1 and made the most of the defeat of number three Leicester City against Manchester City.

Manchester United had nothing to say against the number sixteen of the Premier League in the first half on Sunday evening. Brighton took the initiative and got the best opportunities. After fifteen minutes of play it was a hit for the visitors. After Paul Pogba’s sloppy ball loss in midfield, Brighton sought the attack from the right flank. A measured cross from Neal Maupay was headed against the ropes by Danny Welback, former player of the Red Devils. Brighton, where Joël Veltman played in the rear left, remained the parent even after the opening goal and kept that up for the entire first half.

Minutes after the opening goal, Solskjaer’s team escaped a bigger deficit. A header from center-back Lewis Dunk landed on the crossbar. Dean Henderson’s goal was attacked several times in the first act, but the home team was spared a bigger backlog. On the other side of the field, Manchester United was unable to create danger. The mediocre first half gave Solskjaer food for thought in the break. He thought it was still too early for changes; the same eleven were allowed to show in the second half that it could be better. United insisted a bit more in the second act. After 52 minutes of play, the home team delivered its first feat. Marcus Rashford turned away from Adam Lallana and tried with a long shot. The England international’s efforts ended up in the hands of Birghton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez.

The visitors remained upright without major problems, but had to take the 1-1 after more than an hour of play. Veltman made a mistake in the build-up and handed in to Bruno Fernandes, who in turn offered Rashford a chance. The attacker hit the far corner. At the first good opportunity of the match, it was an immediate hit for the Solskjaer team. After the equalizer, United went on the hunt for more, but escaped a new deficit. Welbeck was unable to promote a big chance to a goal because he was hindered by United defender Harry Maguire. Brighton hoped for a penalty, but the VAR ruled otherwise.

With ten minutes left on the clock, Solskjaer brought in Van de Beek as a replacement for Edinson Cavani. The the Dutch-international was barely a minute in the field when Mason Greenwood signed for 2-1. After a high cross from Bruno Fernandes, Pogba tried with a volley. The Frenchman’s efforts did not go towards the goal, but towards Van de Beek. Before the ex-Ajax player could fire the ball at goal, Greenwood popped up in front of him and made the winner with his head. In the absolute final phase, Brigthon tried to drag another draw from the fire, but it did not come to that.