Former United player Owen Hargreaves was full of praise for two United stars after a brilliant showing against Brighton at Old Trafford.
Rúben Amorim’s side came into the game riding the high of victory at Anfield, but Brighton have proven to be a tough opponent, beating United in six of their last seven Premier League meetings.
A brace from Bryan Mbeumo alongside goals from Brazilians, Matheus Cunha and Casemiro, handed United a deserved three points despite two nervy goals from Brighton in the second half.
This makes it three wins in a row for the first time under Amorim in the Premier League and boosts United up into 4th in the league table.
Two players in particular stood out to Owen Hargreaves and were rightfully given their recognition after the victory.
Hargreaves praises ‘fabulous’ performances from Amad and Cunha
Cunha opened the scoring for United at Old Trafford, finding the bottom right corner from the edge of the box, finally scoring his first goal in a United shirt.
Speaking after the game, former United player Hargreaves, a Premier League pundit stated, “He’s a fabulous player. He can play the ball in tight spaces. He’s such a smart player.”
Cunha did superbly to get the ball out of his feet and beat Verbruggen with a firm strike, opening his body up and finding the far corner to give United the lead.
Meanwhile, Amad was electric throughout, combining brilliantly with Mbeumo on the right-hand side. Hargreaves said, “I think Amad has had a great impact down the right-hand side.”
Whilst he didn’t get on the score-sheet, the Ivorian found himself involved in all of United’s attacks, bringing energy all over and continuous runs into space, freeing Mbeumo and creating chances by keeping relentless pressure on the Brighton defence.
United pounced on Brighton’s poor defending
The opening goal was fantastic from Amad, whose initial pass deflected into the path of Benjamin Šeško, who aimed for Amad again, forcing the ball out to Bruno Fernandes, moving it onto Casemiro, and eventually finding his fellow countryman, who scored United’s first.
The energy was too much for Brighton to handle as they were unable to play their typical style of playing out from the back, thanks to the intensity of Amorim’s players.
Hargreaves also stated, “Brighton should maybe do a little better, they have loads of bodies there.”
But Cunha’s quality proved to be too good for the Seagulls. Hargreaves continued to say, “That’s exactly why they signed him, because he scores goals.”
Overall, this was a great three points for Amorim, and this victory has given the club plenty of momentum to carry into their next match away to Nottingham Forest.
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