This archive report was first published on 10 November 2019.
Manchester United's young team made a statement at Old Trafford on November 10, 2019, as they defeated Brighton 3-1 in a Premier League match.
The win marked a significant upturn in form for the Red Devils, who had struggled to score goals in their previous home league games. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side fielded the youngest starting lineup of any team in the Premier League that season, with an average age of 23 years and 350 days.
United's energetic opening was led by Rashford, who came closest to scoring with a powerful shot that Mat Ryan saved well. However, it was Andreas Pereira who opened the scoring for United on 17 minutes, with a shot that took an unkind deflection off Dale Stephens and wrong-footed Ryan.
The home supporters were still celebrating the opener when they were handed double cause for celebration from a deep free-kick that Fred floated into the Brighton area. Harry Maguire rose powerfully, causing panic for Ryan and his defence, and with Brighton slow to react, Scott McTominay forced the ball over the line, via a final touch by Davy Propper.
Not even the inevitable delay for a VAR check could dilute the joy of home supporters. The goal was a scintillating spell of football from a side that had not scored two first-half goals at Old Trafford for nearly 10 months.
United's win marked their fifth victory in their last six league and cup games, their best run since Solskjaer took over from Jose Mourinho at the turn of the year. Brighton, on the other hand, were left to rue their missed chances, including a couple of set-piece deliveries that rarely threatened the United goal.
Despite a late scare when Brighton halved the deficit, United's response was swift and clinical, with Rashford restoring the two-goal cushion just two minutes later. The win marked a significant momentum shift for United, who moved to within a point of the top five.
