Mbeumo's brace fuels United's 4-2 win, lifting them to fourth

When Manchester United edged past Brighton & Hove Albion 4‑2 at Old Trafford on October 25, 2025, it marked the club’s third straight Premier League triumph and propelled the Red Devils to fourth place. Bryan Mbeumo smashed a double, while Matheus Cunha and Casemiro added their own strikes. The win not only padded United’s points tally to 18 from nine games but also gave manager Rúben Amorim a much‑needed lift after a season of mixed results.

Why this match mattered

Going into Matchweek 9, United were hovering just outside the Champions League spots, while Brighton were eyeing a top‑seven finish after impressive away scalps against Manchester City and Chelsea earlier in the campaign. The fixture was billed as a potential six‑point swing; a loss would have seen United slip into sixth, but a win could cement a top‑four push.

Both clubs entered with different narratives. United, under Amorim’s stewardship since July 2024, had struggled to string together consistent league form despite a revamped midfield featuring Bruno Fernandes and the defensive anchor Casemiro. Brighton, led by German coach Fabian Hurzeler, were enjoying a surge of confidence after a 2‑1 victory at the Etihad earlier that month.

Game‑by‑game breakdown

The atmosphere at Old Trafford was electric from the outset. United struck first in the 24th minute when Matheus Cunha latched onto a through‑ball from Bruno Fernandes and slotted it low to the right of the keeper.

Just ten minutes later, Casemiro rose above the defence to head home a corner, making it 2‑0. The early dominance was punctuated by a series of saves from United’s keeper Senne Lammens, who tipped a teasing cross from Yankuba Minteh wide and parried a long‑range effort by Ferdi Kadioglu.

At the 61st minute, Bryan Mbeumo got his first of two goals, finding space on the left and firing a low drive into the bottom corner. He doubled United’s lead in the 74th minute with a clinical finish after a slick one‑two with Alejandro Garnacho.

Brighton’s late surge

Trailing 4‑0, Hurzeler made triple substitutions at the hour mark, bringing on Watson, Gomez and Milner. The changes sparked a breath of life; Glenn Murray Welbeck pounced on a loose ball in the 81st minute and nudged it past Lammens. Just a minute later, Greek striker Kostoulas slotted home a quick header, making it 4‑2 and sending the away fans into a nervous chant.

Despite the flurry, United held firm. “We knew they would come at us, but the boys stuck to the game plan,” Amorim said in the post‑match interview. “Mbeumo’s movement was brilliant, and the defence stayed compact when it mattered.”

Reactions from the dugouts

Hurzeler, who had guided Brighton to a historic eighth‑place finish last season, admitted the defeat was “hard to take” but praised his side’s fighting spirit. “The Seagulls showed character, especially after going two goals down. Credit to the lads for not giving up,” he noted.

On United’s side, the victory was hailed as a statement of intent. “Three wins in a row at this stage tells us we’re on the right track,” Amorim added. “The squad is buying into the philosophy, and we’ll keep pushing for European spots.”

Impact on the league table and what’s next

United’s win lifted them to fourth place with 18 points, just two points ahead of fifth‑placed Arsenal. Brighton slipped to seventh but remain within touching distance of a Europa League spot.

• United’s next match: Host Tottenham Hotspur at Old Trafford on Nov 2, 2025.
• Brighton’s upcoming fixtures: Face Arsenal in the EFL Cup on Oct 29, then host Leeds United on Nov 2.

The result also nudged United’s rivalry with Manchester City into sharper focus. City sit in second place, and a direct clash later in the season could decide who claims the top‑two spots.

Historical context

United’s last home victory over Brighton came on April 15, 2023. Since then, the Seagulls had won two of the three return fixtures at the Amex Stadium, making this win a symbolic reversal.

Amorim’s tenure began after the Glazer family’s decision to replace former manager Erik ten Hag. While his tactical tweaks have drawn mixed reviews, the recent run of wins suggests a growing cohesion between the Portuguese coach’s attacking ideas and the squad’s execution.

Broader league picture

The Premier League’s title race remains wide‑open, with Liverpool, Arsenal, and City all within a handful of points. United’s surge to fourth is significant because it gives them a realistic shot at a Champions League berth—a goal that has eluded the club since the 2019‑20 season.

For Brighton, the season has been about punching above their weight. Their wins over City and Chelsea earlier this term demonstrated a capacity to upset the traditional ‘big‑six’ clubs, and despite the loss at Old Trafford, their cup run offers a path to silverware.