Manchester United 1-0 Brighton and Hove Albion: Player Ratings
An unfortunate Lewis Dunk own-goal gave Manchester United all three points against newly-promoted Brighton and Hove Albion. Chris Hughton's side had the better start, creating a number of chances from the wide areas by putting in teasing balls into the six-yard box.
United were not at their very best, but managed to break the deadlock when Ashley Young's shot took a massive deflection off the brilliant Lewis Dunk to make its way into the corner of Mathew Ryan's goal. Brighton rallied late on, but United stayed firm.
Here are the talking points from a gripping game at Old Trafford:
Manchester United
David de Gea - 7/10
de Gea made one save to ward off Pascal Gross' shot early on, and then made a few routine catches.
Antonio Valencia - 7/10
The United skipper complemented Rashford very well in the wide regions and also kept Marsh in check to ensure he was not able to make any approaching runs towards the byline.
Victor Lindelof - 7/10
Lindelof had a better game compared to his earlier outings, making an excellent tackle in the second-half to deny Knockaert from approaching United's defensive third while on the break. He did have minor issues regarding his positioning against the unpredictable Glenn Murray, but the 31m signing is slowly finding his feet in the Premier League.
Chris Smalling - 6.5/10
Smalling was given a couple of heart-in-mouth moments by the runs of Anthony Knockaert, but managed to keep him shy of goal.
Ashley Young - 8/10
Young was United's best player on the pitch at Old Trafford. He was bright on the left flank, keeping 37-year old Bruno on his toes as he moved forward and sought to create space for a cross.
The veteran made a fantastic run into the box close to half-time, skipping in between two players before his cross was dealt with by Brighton. His goal - albeit taking a wicked deflection off Dunk - led to the vital breakthrough. He had a few problems handling Knockaert on the defence, though that threat declined as the game progressed.
Nemanja Matic - 6.5/10
Apart from a handful of misplaced passes, Matic was quietly efficient in sitting midfield as he made crucial interceptions to break Brighton's play through the midfield.
Paul Pogba - 7/10
Pogba was the chief orchestrator again, building up play from the back and getting involved in every potential attack in the final third. Some of his passes to locate onrushing players on the flanks were a treat to watch. His free role with Matic as cover really has helped him express himself this season.
Marcus Rashford - 7.5/10
Rashford was fantastic down the right-hand side, roaring forward from counter-attacks and skipping past Bong with his fleet-footedness and electric pace. His cross for Lukaku at the end of the first-half nearly resulted in a goal, but for Ryan's double-save.
Juan Mata - 6.5/10
Mata was the central point of United's attacks through the middle, but was greeted by a yellow wall every time he tried to pick out a pass.
Anthony Martial - 6.5/10
Martial was dangerous, as usual, from a left attacking position, skipping past challenges to charge into space in the penalty area. His threat was well countered by Brighton's heroic defenders.
Romelu Lukaku - 6.5/10
Lukaku had a couple of good opportunities to score, first skying a shot under no pressure in the opening 10 minutes, before seeing his header at the end of the first period wonderfully kept out by Ryan. He was seen dropping deep to help open up goal-scoring opportunities, but Brighton were not to be distracted.
Substitutes:
Zlatan Ibrahimovic - 6/10
Ibrahimovic made purposeful runs into the attacking third and also got a shot or two away. But it will be a while before he fully recovers from his ACL which kept him sidelined for several months.
Henrikh Mkhitaryan - 6/10
Mkhitaryan replaced Mata in attacking midfield. He looked promising with his passing and lay-off balls but the under-fire Armenian may not have done enough to warrant a starting place for the next game away to Watford.
Marouane Fellaini - 6/10
Fellaini was sent on to shut shop and used his aerial prowess to deal with long balls and crosses coming into the box.