Manchester United have moved to within five points of Premier League leaders Manchester City courtesy of a 1-0 win over Brighton & Hove Albion.
Jose Mourinho’s side struggled to make their mark in the first period, but took the lead in the 66th minute courtesy of a deflected effort from Ashley Young.
Below are four talking points from the clash at Old Trafford.
United close gap on City as the derby draws closer
Anything other than all three points against Brighton would have been a disaster for United when considering the gap that has already been opened. City will fancy their chances of beating Huddersfield Town on Sunday afternoon, but for now the difference between the leaders and second is five points.
United now face two difficult trips to Watford and Arsenal before welcoming City to Old Trafford on December 10. The Red Devils have not lost a single home Premier League match since City beat them in the corresponding match last term, and the importance of the latest derby simply cannot be downplayed.
When considering that City’s next three league fixtures are against Huddersfield (A), Southampton (H) and West Ham United (H), United will more than likely have to beat their neighbours next month to prevent Pep Guardiola’s side from opening up a potentially unassailable lead at the summit.
United can only concentrate on their own results over the next seven days, and Mourinho will be targeting wins over Watford and Arsenal in a bid to stay within touching distance of their bitter rivals.
Young has developed into a fine left-back
Young was a flying winger during his time at Watford and Aston Villa, and was purchased by United in 2011 with the view to operating in midfield. His time at Old Trafford looked to be coming to an end when Mourinho took charge, but the 32-year-old has become one of his manager’s most trusted players.
It could be said that Young has developed into a jack of all trades, master of none, with the Englishman capable of operating on either side of a back four, in either wing-back position or as one of the wide midfielders in a defensive formation.
He has excelled in the left-back position, however, and has a serious chance of making Gareth Southgate’s squad for the 2018 World Cup due to his United form.
Young, whose deflected effort in the 66th minute went down as a Lewis Dunk own goal, has now started nine of United’s 13 Premier League matches this season – providing two assists and one goal. The Red Devils miss the Englishman’s delivery when he does not feature, and the number 18 has also sharpened up his defensive skills in the early stages of the 2017-18 campaign.
United have a problem in the number 10 position
For long spells of the first 45 minutes, it was almost as if United’s players were waiting for Paul Pogba to make something happen from a deep position. Juan Mata came back into the team in the number 10 position, but the Spaniard was ineffectual during his 62 minutes on the field.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan, who featured in the second period, started the campaign in that position, but the Armenian has dropped out of the side in recent weeks after a poor run of form. Jesse Lingard, meanwhile, struggled when given the chance to play behind the striker earlier this season.
It may well be the case that fit-again Zlatan Ibrahimovic eventually comes into the XI just behind Romelu Lukaku, but for the moment, Mourinho has a slight issue when it comes to linking his midfield and attack.
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Mourinho has now won 82% of his home matches as a manager
Incredible
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Brighton deserve a great deal of credit for their start to the season
In many ways, Brighton’s trip to Old Trafford was a free hit. The Seagulls were not expected to pick up anything, and whether they remain in the Premier League this season will not depend on their results away to the likes of United.
Chris Hughton’s side have now lost to Man City, Leicester City, Bournemouth, Arsenal and United this season, but they have shown that they can compete with the teams around them after beating West Bromwich Albion, Newcastle United, West Ham and Swansea City.
A total of 16 points has left them in ninth position in the Premier League table, and in Pascal Gross, Glenn Murray, Anthony Knockaert and Jose Izquierdo, the newly promoted outfit certainly have the firepower to cause teams problems this season.
Knockaert and Solly March were both dangerous in the early exchanges at Old Trafford, while Gross tested United’s David de Gea with a decent strike in the 11th minute as the visitors settled quickly into the contest.
Brighton arguably shaded the first 30 minutes as United struggled to make their mark, but they needed their goalkeeper Mathew Ryan to make a wonderful double save from Lukaku and Pogba late in the half.
A cruel deflection saw the visitors fall behind midway through the second period, although they continued to have a go as the United fans were made to endure a nervy final 10 minutes.
Much has been made of the step from the Championship to the Premier League in recent years, but all three promoted clubs have impressed this term, and Brighton look well equipped to secure another campaign of top-flight football.
