Michael Carrick’s first match in charge as permanent Manchester United coach brought an emphatic victory at the Amex, but by the end of the game Brighton fans were not watching, all eyes turned to their phones to check Brentford’s score against Liverpool at Anfield.
Fabian Hurzeler’s side entered the final day needing to win to secure Europa League football. But they were badly beaten at home and defeat meant they had to settle for Conference League football, and they needed Brentford to lose or draw at Anfield.
United, already assured of Champions League football and third place, played with freedom, doubly helped by the fact that Bruno Fernandes broke the assist record just half an hour into the game.
Brighton had started brightly enough. Maxim De Cuyper dragged an early effort wide although the hosts controlled the game without truly troubling Senne Lammens.
United’s breakthrough came after 33 minutes when Fernandes’ outswinging corner found Patrick Dorgu, who rose above Jack Hinshelwood to power a header in off the underside of the bar. The assist was Fernandes’ 21st of the league season, moving him clear of the 20 shared by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.
Brighton’s position worsened before the interval when United carved through the hosts with sharp interplay. First Noussair Mazraoui on the right wing found Amad Diallo in the box, the latter exchanging passes with Mason Mount to run through the Brighton defence line. He then squared for Bryan Mbeumo to tap home from close range.
Hurzeler responded by introducing Yankuba Minteh at the restart, but any thoughts of a comeback evaporated almost immediately. United broke forward at pace and Dorgu slipped Fernandes through. The Portuguese midfielder drove low beyond Bart Verbruggen, and although the assistant initially raised the flag, VAR overturned the decision after confirming Dorgu had timed his run correctly.
With the contest effectively settled, United played with increasing confidence. Dorgu twice went close to adding another and Verbruggen was repeatedly called into action, while Amad continued to trouble Brighton’s back line.
The hosts created little in response, Solly March’s straight shot at Lammens their best play. The minutes ticked away and as all hope in this one was lost, the fans turned to their phones, hoping for favourable results at Anfield that finally came.
