Four things we learnt as Amorim’s United finally seem to be finding their gears

Manchester United welcomed Brighton and Hove Albion to Old Trafford on Saturday evening. Senne Lammens continued in goal with Leny Yoro replacing Harry Maguire in the defence. Matthijs de Ligt and Luke Shaw started alongside him with Diogo Dalot and Amad in the wingback roles. Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro began in the midfield, with Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha in the number 10 positions. Benjamin Sesko returned to the starting line up after finding himself on the bench for the match against Liverpool last weekend. Here are four things we learnt from the match. Cunha gets his reward Matheus Cunha has impressed at Old Trafford before but he had not been rewarded with a goal or an assist. The Brazilian lit up the famous old stadium in a pulsating first half where he scored his first goal for the club. It was a wonderful finish, reminiscent of the type of effort he would regularly put away for Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Brazil international was consistently bright and linked up well with his teammates to the delight of the crowd. Cunha also showed his worth defensively, tracking back and putting in an all-round impressive display for the Red Devils. High pressing Much was made of United’s tactics of long balls last weekend at Anfield and the Brighton manager made a point of mentioning that his side were expecting more of the same. The Seagulls were clearly caught out as they routinely failed to deal with a rabid United press. Casemiro’s goal was the result of wonderful closing down by Luke Shaw and Matthijs de Ligt was regularly well up the pitch closing down space. Mbeumo, Amad, Sesko and Cunha also hounded the Brighton defence in an electric first 45 minutes. Luke Shaw on form The England international has had his fair share of critics in recent time. Nonetheless, Ruben Amorim has stuck with him in the absence of Lisandro Martinez as he has been a regular starter for the club this season. Shaw was smart off the ball and made two or three key interceptions that blocked Brighton from possibly scoring in the first half. If the 30 year old can keep up this sort of form, he certainly has something to offer at Old Trafford in the present and the future. Bryan Mbeumo is the heartbeat of the attack All of United’s four summer signings played their part today but Mbeumo continues to be the heartbeat of the attack. He scored the crucial opener at Anfield last week and banged in his fourth of the season to kill the game against the Seagulls. Brighton fought back but it was Mbeumo who grabbed his second of the game to finally put away the visitors. It isn’t just his goals though, it is the Cameroonian’s ability to knit play together and his growing understanding with his teammates that will only excite Old Trafford further. Featured image Shaun Botterill via Getty Images – The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.