Jim White of the Telegraph was one of the few to spot that United’s young left-back, Brandon Williams, could have been shown a red card for a high lunge. “The locally born left back possesses a hint of the sly, as he demonstrated when he pushed Neal Maupay into the advertising hoardings and was later booked for going in studs high on Steven Alzate’s chest. But he looks a real prospect: quick, intelligent, full of attacking intent.
“He was typical of the United start. And for once in this goal-shy season, there was reward on the scoreboard. After Rashford and James had forced Maty Ryan into saves, Andreas Pereira picked up Anthony Martial’s astute lay-off and lollipopped his way into the Brighton area
“The ball was clipped off his feet but fortuitously fell to Martial, who cut it back to him. His left foot shot took a deflection off Dale Stephens’ hip and, leaving Ryan standing stock still, looped into the goal.
“Barely five minutes had elapsed before Lewis Dunk was booked for hacking down James as he flew down the right. United’s supremacy was being written in Brighton yellow cards, a flurry being shown as they crunched into the opposition as the only way to cope.”
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Chris Wheeler of the Mail continued: “For Brighton, this was something of a reality check after a run of three wins in four games. They were left chasing shadows at times which manager Graham Potter believes led to his side’s five bookings.
“Martin Montoya, in particular, was guilty of a scything challenge on Rashford as Brighton struggled to contain United’s pace down the flanks. “‘We’re not a malicious team but with the likes of James, Martial and Rashford, when they nick the ball away you can catch them,’ said Graham Potter.”
Paul Hirst took up the sorry tale in The Times: “United have developed a habit of surrendering leads this season so [Solskjaer] knew that much work had to be done to seal the victory. He did not have to wait long for a second, however. Again, it was not a mesmerising goal but they all count.
“Harry Maguire made a nuisance of himself in the box, getting a glancing header on to Fred’s free kick. A mad scramble for the ball ensued. McTominay swung at it, and ran towards the corner flag celebrating after the ball struck the back of the net, but it was Davy Pröpper who got the final touch. Two minutes and 20 seconds’ worth of frustration followed as Moss waited for VAR to review the goal to see if Maguire had fouled a Brighton defender. As Kevin Friend in Stockley Park reviewed the goal frame by frame, anger grew inside the stadium. Boos rang out until finally Moss got word that Maguire had not fouled anyone.”
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Jamie Jackson, occasional crime novelist and the Guardian’s Manchester man, wrote that: “The sense was of United being hungrier than their opponents. Williams followed a yellow card for a high challenge on Steven Alzate by hunting down a throw-in. Brighton’s only hope was if the home team might implode.
“On 64 minutes there was a glimmer. Fred’s fine performance was marred by a fluffed clearance that led to a corner on the left. Pascal Gross swung this in and, again, United were deficient in the air, Pereira losing Dunk, who powered home.
“It did not stay 2-1 for long. Fred redeemed himself with a precise 30-yard pass that put Martial through. He turned the ball to Rashford and the striker drilled past Ryan off the bar.”
Neil Custis of The Sun wrote: “It should have been more with Rashford inexplicably missing a chance on 68 minutes.
“He was found at the far post, unmarked three yards out, after another great run and cross from Daniel James. Somehow he missed his kick with his right boot the ball hit his left and went the wrong side of the post. Everyone held their heads in disbelief.
“The red waves kept crashing onto the team from the South Coast. Brandon Williams making his first Premier League start almost had a day to remember with a shot brilliantly saved and goalkeeper Matthew Ryan came to the rescue again with a point blank stop to deny a James’ volley. United were well worthy of this win against a side who had won three of their last four.”
Dave ‘Disco’ McDonnell of the Mirror, put Albion’s result in perspective in his report of Solskjaer’s post-match comments. He wrote: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hailed his “exhilarating and entertaining” Manchester United side after their goal glut [really?] against Brighton.
Solskjaer said he did not know how his United side failed to score more after what he described as their best performance this season.
“These six weeks since the last international break, [after] we started against Liverpool, we've had five wins and a defeat. Losing at Bournemouth was disappointing, but we've had loads of answers to what we're trying to do. The young players are performing and learning. They've had some tough lessons, but they've learned from them.”
Derren Howard struck a positive note in the i: “Potter’s men have already shown they can recover from bad performances and results and they will need to do so once again after the international break. At least they won’t have to face Rashford in this mood every week.”