Bryan Mbeumo scored twice as Manchester United survived a late scare against Brighton to claim a third successive Premier League win for the first time since February 2024, moving them up to fourth in the table.

United were cruising after an hour thanks to goals from Matheus Cunha, who broke his 16-match scoring drought by netting for the first time for his new club, Casemiro's deflected effort and Mbeumo's neat finish.

But Danny Welbeck's brilliant free-kick pulled one back against his old club with 16 minutes left. Then, two minutes into the seven added, Charalampos Kostoulas flicked home a near-post header.

Suddenly there were some worried faces in the United ranks and it took an even later effort from Mbeumo, drilled into the roof of the net from 12 yards, to ease the tension.

They may only stay there for a matter of hours but United suddenly find themselves in a much better state than three weeks ago, when it was felt by many a home defeat by Sunderland would have left head coach Ruben Amorim clinging to his job.

Now there is a hint of swagger about Amorim's team, who should have won by more and certainly with no need for the worries at the end.

Cunha's first goal for club or country since April was superb, taking Casemiro's short pass on the edge of the area before curling an inch-perfect low shot into the bottom corner.

Casemiro benefitted from a huge slice of luck for the second when his shot, which might have been off target, struck Yasin Ayari on the back, completely wrong-footing Bart Verbruggen as it flew into the opposite corner.

Verbruggen denied Benjamin Sesko and Bruno Fernandes, who was making his 300th United appearance, before Mbeumo followed his goal at Liverpool by driving home his third of the season after an hour.

Welbeck's brilliant free-kick followed a Patrick Dorgu foul on Yankuba Minteh the Brighton bench were adamant should have resulted in a red card.

Referee Anthony Taylor gave a yellow, video assistant referee (VAR) Michael Oliver agreed. Who knows what would have happened if he hadn't.

As it turned out, Brighton scored again anyway. But so did United, who took the points - again.

Manchester United analysis: Cunha and Mbeumo give United a new look

United's recruitment policy has been criticised so much in recent years, much of it with good reason.

But in prioritising the signings of Cunha and Mbeumo this summer, they got it spot on.

Even at a combined cost of almost ?130m, the pair look like excellent value.

They bring a purpose, direction and energy to United's forward line the club did not have before, which is exactly what Amorim wanted.

Much like Fernandes, they are happy to take risks and, unlike Rasmus Hojlund, they are a real goal threat.

Cunha will be delighted to have got off the mark and Mbeumo now has five.

When United officials spoke about European qualification last month, most outsiders were sceptical. Now they are in a Champions League place.

Brighton analysis: Baleba fails to shine

Manchester United weren't that close to signing Carlos Baleba from Brighton this summer. There was no chance the Seagulls would sell the midfielder for anything like the kind of sum the Old Trafford outfit could afford.

His form dipped anyway for a short time but his poise has returned in recent games as Brighton have put together their unbeaten run, and he was eager to make an impact here.

It didn't happen though.

Baleba seemed spooked when an early mistake almost allowed Cunha to set up Mbeumo, and he never got to grips with the rest of the game.

Baleba was dominated in an area of the pitch where United are supposed to be weak. He was forced to bring countryman Mbeumo down after being caught out of possession and his only threat on the home goal was off target.

A night to forget was brought to an end after less than an hour when he was replaced by James Milner.

Baleba is a better player than he showed but as Old Trafford auditions go, it was not good. (BBC)

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