MAN UTD - Home, Falmer Years:
Prem 17/18-24/25, seasons 7-14 . . '20 EFL Cup.
no league meetings in seasons between 2011 to 2017.
Prem previous encounters home & away: P14 W6 D0 L8 - see Clubs in Archive.

manager: Erik ten Hag (2022) . P114 W = 57.8% @ July '24 . experience: plenty outside the Prem and a modern tactical coach.
Old Trafford - ave gate; 74.0K, cap; 74.3K . nickname: Red Devils . shirt: red.

Prem records from 11/12: 2 1 7 4 5 6 / 2 6 3 2 6 3 8 14 @ 13/9/24.
Prem recent best finish = 1st '13, worst finish = 8th '24.
C21; title - 8 times, runners-up - 4 times, top four - 6 times, top six - 3 times, top ten - 2 times.
latest podiums; 22/23 Man City Arsenal Man Utd .

24/25 odds at start: title 22/1, top four 2/1, top six 1-2 . sack EtH 11-2 . expected to finish: top six
run in: Forest (A), Man City (H), N'castle (A), Wolves (H), B'mouth (A),
Br'ford (A), West Ham (H), Chelsea (A), Villa (H)
run in forecast*: ?pt > ?pt* . max was ? . actual = ? . Po was ? . actual Po = ?

Albion v United (H) from 17/18: 1-0 3-2 0-3 2-3 4-0 1-0 0-2 2-1 . . W = 5 D = 0 L = 3 . F12 A11
scorers: Gross 3 Murray Duffy Maupay March Caicedo Cucurella Trossard Mac Allister Welbeck Pedro
memorable match: Season7 (H) - last home game and Brighton fans rejoiced at staying up.
note: for away Falmer Years results and reports scroll further below.

Season14, 8th Premier League (H) Sat 24/8/24 - w 2-1 ~ Welbeck Pedro
Man Utd had a disappointing season in 23/24 by any past standards. They were ko'd at the Champions Lg group stage and R4 in the EFL Cup. But they won the FA Cup, so qualified for the Europa League. MU pre-season friendlies; Rosenborg 1-0 (A), Rangers 2-0 (H). US tour: Arsenal l 1-2, R Betis w 3-2, LIverpool l 3-0. Then the Community Shield - Man City l 7pen6 1-1. This Prem lunchtime fixture was the domestic opener as 1st of 19 at home (Q1). The reverse game was 18 Jan '25 in mid season (Q2-3) - see away scroll further below. We had won the away match last season during Sept '23, scoring three times. Last term we'd met here during mid May '24 when losing the last game of a disappointing second-half campaign. We'd finished 11th 48pts, while MU were 8th 60pts. Now we had 3pts and they also had 3pts in this very early phase. Our Prem record at the Amex versus United was; wwl lww l - in all seven seasons to date. There were no draws registered. United now had a new ownership regime in place and badly wanted back those glory days of old. At the moment Brighton were 1st, while United were 7th from the 1 PL game played last week. In the last three campaigns we'd been placed 8, 8 & 7 after the 10 game start period (Q1). So Albion were looking to again turn the tables on Red Devils. Their boss Eric ten Hag had so far spent around 150m on 4 new talents prior to the big kickoff. Meanwhile BHA had a brand new head coach in Fabian Hurzeler. But Adam Lallana had left us in May to re-join newly promoted So'ton. Also Steven Alzate went in June. Then Pascal Gross signed for B Dortmund and Deniz Undav for Stuttgart in August. We signed Yankuba Minteh (N'castle 30m), Mats Wieffer (Feyenoord 25m), Ibrahim Osman (Nord'land 16m), Malick Yalcouye (Goth'bg 6m) & Amario Cozier-Duberry (Arsenal) in July. MU had 8 players & BHA 6 at Euro 24 during June. A wider Seagulls squad had then gone to Japan in July as part of a successful pre-season build-up. Later also winning friendlies with QPR 0-1 (A) and Villarreal 4-0 (H). Two days prior to opening day we signed Brajan Gruda (Mainz 25m). Headline news this week was the record signing of Georginio Rutter (Leeds 40m) to boost the PL squad. But Valentin Barco went to Sevilla on loan.
*** match report: Fabian Hurzeler maintained a 100% win rate in his Amex Prem debut. It appeared a first draw between these clubs was on the cards as the fourth official raised the number board to show stoppage time. And it was Albion who edged it with a late winner. United probably got better reviews in the first half as hosts toiled to hold an even keel in wet conditions. Then Welbeck slid in Mitoma's assist and BHA were off and running in the rain (32mins). On the hour mark United levelled when the ball diverted off defenders to wrong foot Steele (60 mins). Next visitors had a second goal disallowed for offside on the goal-line - via VAR. And so it went on toward the final whistle in a finely balanced open game. Fabian made a very late triple attacking change to try and impact ongoing parity. At the death Pedro nodded in Adingra's lofted cross at the back stick (90+5 mins). Brighton fans and match-day squad went crazy with excitement at that fairy-tale ending. Hurzeler was very happy too and Seagulls flew at top of the table to boot. United support was gutted and wondered how fickle finger of fate could point against them so often down on the south coast. Lady luck was with us and it's one big happy family at Brighton & Hove this August bank holiday as the sun came out afterwards over Falmer.
stats: ht 1-0, goals 32,95-60, poss 48%-52%, on target 5-4, off target 9-7, o/s 0-6, corners 4-4, fouls 9-13, yellows 1-2, subs 5-5, shape 4231-4231
weather: wet . gate: tba . MoM: Gilmour - strong display
team: 23 Steele 34 Veltman 29 van Hecke 5 Dunk 41 Hinshelwood 11 Gilmour 6 Milner 17 Minteh 9 Pedro 22 Mitoma 18 Welbeck
subs: 20 Baleba 73 (6) . 10 Enciso 79 (18) . 26 Ayari 90 (11) . 24 Adingra 90 (22) . 14 Rutter 90 (17)
bench: 39 Rushworth 2 Lamptey 3 Julio 4 Webster
squad: 8 Gruda 15 Moder 16 Sarmiento . injured: 1 Verbruggen 7 March 27 Wieffer 28 Ferguson 30 Estupinan
Prem P2 . W1 D0 L0 . F2 A1 . W1 D0 L0 . F3 A0 . Pt6 Po1 = 3.00pt/gm . W = 100% L = 0%

United:
Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L%
start: 03 . 01 00 02 . 02 05 -03 . 03 14 = 1.00 . 33.3 66.6 -
Europa Lg: home Rangers PAOK Bodo FC Twente . away Porto Fenerbahce V Plzen FCSB
EFL Cup: Barnsley (H) R3
FA Cup: R3
Nov: xth in table, xpts off xth at Q1

Season13, 7th Premier League (H) Sun 19/5/24 - L 0-2
This final reciprocal fixture came eight whole months after visiting Reds, right back in Sept during opening weeks with revised new-season Prem squads. In the following January transfer window no big business was done across the Prem due to enforced fair play rules & regs. And authorities were cracking down on financial breaches. In Europe United went out of the Champions League at the group stage in December, while we were k-o'd from the Europa League at the last 16 round during March. In the FA Cup United reached the final again, while we got k-o'd away back in R5. So far visitors habitual away record was; W7 D3 L8 F24 A30 - reasonable returns. Our Prem record at the Amex versus United was; wwl lww - in six seasons to date. A good record against a big-six club. Apart from that odd Prem restart contest of June '20 we'd otherwise scored goals against them. So for this very last game of the season we wanted to make it 5 wins from 7. Current home form was; W8 D6 L4 F30 A25 - decent enough. At the moment in mid May Brighton were 10th, while MU were 8th from 37 played. They had changed managers 4 times during our Prem years in a bid to restore past glories. Now Eric ten Hag was going thru the usual media gossip to fill column inches. Based on previous meetings Brighton were looking for a third straight victory on home turf against United. Our season had gradually tailed off from the halfway stage, therefore no time like the present to go out with a bang - the bigger the better. At that halfway stage we were on 30pt, although slightly under the necessary target to match or better our 22/23 campaign. A lot today would depend on keeping a rare clean sheet and at least scoring one regular goal. Also Brighton fans were asking whether De Zerbi could motivate the side sufficiently to prove 'genius' accolades as claimed by retiring veteran Adam Lallana. A day prior to kickoff BHA announced De Zerbi would leave the club after this final match. It wasn't a total surprise and support in Sussex and beyond put faith in Bloom & Barber to do the biz with the next head coach appointment very soon.
*** match report: well, the big bangs actually came from those fireworks before kickoff, as it all ended in tears. Some were shed from disappointment, while others wept via varieties of sentiment. For long spells Albion appeared on top but couldn't convert chances. It looked like becoming a goalless affair until United nicked the win during later stages of a low-key end of season contest in warm sunlight. The away outfit scored soft goals at 73 & 88 minutes as Seagulls flapped at the back - so our fate was sealed for the season. Home support tried to take positives from what in reality was a special year by nature of our excursion into Europe for the very first time. As several Prem clubs had experienced in the past this can have a detrimental effect on subsequent league form. Add to the mix extra games, injuries and so forth and perfomances are affected, resulting in the Prem campaign stalling and tailing off. In our case there also developed a difference of opinion between club and the coach as to the way forward. It was a learning curve for all concerned but inevitably a clash between two parties holding strong opinions and unwavering doctrines. Brighton fans cheered De Zerbi at the Amex and he said the right things afterwards in public. They say the table doesn't lie and today we had finished eleventh - still a matter of stark record when associated emotions drift into folklore recollection. But by past standards that place just wasn't good enough for any of aforementioned factions. Things are done and dusted. The king is dead, long live the king.
stats: ht 0-0, goals 73,88, poss 55%-45%, on target 3-4, off target 14-7, corners 7-5, fouls 9-10, yellows 1-3, subs 4-5, shape 4231-4231
weather: sunny . gate: . MoM: ?
team: 23 Steele 15 Moder 4 Webster 3 Julio 19 Barco 9 Pedro 20 Baleba 13 Gross 24 Adingra 14 Lallana (C) 18 Welbeck
subs: 10 Enciso 57 (14), 2 Lamptey 81 (19), 11 Gilmour 81 (20), 31 Fati 81 (24)
bench: 1 Verbruggen 40 Buonanotte 42 Offiah 44 Peupion 47 Baker-Boaitey
squad: 38 McGill (gk) . injured: 5 Dunk 6 Milner 7 March 22 Mitoma 28 Ferguson 29 van Hecke 30 Estupinan 34 Veltman 41 Hinshelwood
Prem P38 . W8 D6 L5 . F30 A27 . W4 D6 L9 . F25 A35 . Pt48 Po11 = 1.26pt/gm . W = 31.5% L = 36.8%

Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L%
total: 38 . 18 06 14 . 57 58 -01 . 60 8 = 1.57 . 47.3 36.8
3qtr: 29 . 15 03 11 . 40 40 00 . 48 6 = 1.65 . 51.7 37.9
hfwy: 19 . 10 01 08 . 21 25 -04 . 31 7 = 1.63 . 52.6 42.1
start: 10 . 05 00 05 . 11 16 -05 . 15 8 = 1.50 . 50.0 50.0 - E ten Hag
Ch Lg: B Munich 4-3 (A) 0-1 (H), Copenhagen 1-0 (H) 4-3 (A), Galatasary 2-3 (H) 3-3 (A) - group
EFL Cup: Newcastle 0-3 (H) R4, Palace 3-0 (H) R3
FA Cup: Man City w 1-2 final, Coventry 4pen2 3-3 s-f, Liverpool 4-3 (H) q-f, Forest 0-1 (A) R5, Newport 2-4 (A) R4, Wigan 0-2 (A) R3
Oct: 8th in table, 2pts off 6th at Q1.
Dec: 7th, 2pts from 6th at Q2.
Mar: 6th, 8pts off 5th at Q3.
May: finished 8th, 3pts from 6th at Q4.
23/24 odds at start: title 10/1, top four 4-6 . sack EtH 40/1 . expected to finish: top four
run in from 30/3/24: Brentford 1-1 (A), Chelsea 4-3 (A), Liverpool 2-2 (H), B'mouth 2-2 (A),
Sheff Utd (H) 4-2, Burnley 1-1 (H), Palace 4-0 (A), Arsenal 0-1 (H), N'castle 3-2 (H), Brighton 0-2 (A)
run in *forecast @ 29/3/24: 47pt > *64pts . max was 77 . Actual = 60 . Po was 6th . Actual po = 8th

Season12, 6th Premier League (H) Thur 4/5/23 - W 1-0 ~ Mac Allister
This fixture was rescheduled into early May due to Albion's FA Cup quarter final tie played instead at the Amex that particular mid-March weekend. Events of May '18 here at end of our first Prem campaign and last May's demolition of United at home were comparable by more than just those two fixture's same scheduled month (see scroll below). The first win secured survival, the second victory marked a revival of home form fit to compete at the highest level. In between these two meetings there were other positives as well as negatives experienced on a journey to try and establish as a top ten side. In Aug '18 we'd also won but suffered two quick reversals in pandemic-struck succession of Jun '20 and Sept '20. Then all came good with that exciting climax of May '22 (seasons 7-11). Albion head coach Roberto de Zerbi had taken Albion's wider squad to Dubai for a warm-weather camp during the '22 World Cup in December. United went off to Cadiz and Seville for winter friendlies. In the January window Red Devils got 3 additions in on loan to bolster their much improved Prem group. Meanwhile Seagulls had also blooded youngsters off the squad production line as this campaign entered a critical final stage for both clubs. Since those formative weeks of early springtime we drew 0-0 with United in an FA Cup s-f late last month at Wembley - beaten 6-7 on pens. So we surely owed them one in this quick return Prem clash as of now.
*** match report: Albion were awarded a penalty right at very end of the game after Ref went to review handball replays on the pitchside monitor. Mac Allister then stepped up, firing hosts to victory with no time left for visitors to make any attempt in reply (99mins). But if nil-nil sounded dull for 90+ minutes you'd better think again. Both sides showed super quality during attacking & defending phases or on transition. Play was open and each outfit tried to get the lead from offensive action using pace and slick passing moves into the final third. United played their part and were dangerous at times, especially at counter attacks. Steele made a couple of smart saves to deny travellers a goal. Seagulls used both flanks to develop forward motion, although not always hitting the target once up the sharp end. All in all it was a good example of pukka Prem play, in a venue that sizzled under floodlights at dusk. De Zerbi said the God of Football helped us win, while Brighton fans rejoiced in another Amex three points against United, no matter quite how it was actually gained. Some of the passing movement was outstanding, with plenty of physicality when required as per the English game. So, yet another positive experience on our Prem learning curve, as we reached for the stars on a night when Brighton surely looked an elite team going places... maybe Europe next term.
stats: ht 0-0, goal 99, poss 60%-40%, on 6-5, off 16-11, corners 8-6, fouls 10-14, yellows 4-4, subs 3-3, shape 4231-433
weather: mild . gate: 31,577 . MoM: Steele - up to Prem levels.
team: 23 Steele 25 Caicedo 4 Webster 5 Dunk 30 Estupinan 40 Buonanotte
10 Mac Allister 27 Gilmour 22 Mitoma 20 Enciso 18 Welbeck
subs: 7 March 63 (40), 6 Colwill 75 (27), 21 Undav 75 (18)
bench: 1 Sanchez (gk) 29 van Hecke 26 Ayari 42 Offiah 49 Moran 51 Peupion
injured: 2 Lamptey 14 Lallana 19 Sarmiento 28 Ferguson 34 Veltman . squad: 13 Gross 15 Moder
Prem: P32 . W9 D3 L4 . F32 A14 . W7 D4 L5 . F30 A26 . Pt55 Po6 = 1.71pt/gm . W = 50.0% L = 28.1%

Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L%
total: 38 . 23 06 09 . 58 43 15 . 75 3 = 1.97 . 60.5 23.6
3qtrs: 29 . 17 05 07 . 44 37 07 . 56 4 = 1.93 . 58.6 24.1
hfwy: 19 . 12 03 04 . 30 22 08 . 39 3 = 2.05 . 63.1 21.0
start: 10 . 06 01 03 . 15 15 00 . 19 5 = 1.90 . 60.0 30.0 - E ten Haag
Europa Lg: q-f - Sevilla 3-0 (A) 2-2 (H) . last 16 - Real Betis 1-0 (H) 4-1 (H) . p-o - Barca 2-2 (A) 2-1 (H)
gp - Sociedad 0-1 (A) 0-1 (H), Sheriff 3-0 (H) 0-2 (A), Nicosia 1-0 (H) 2-3 (A)
EFL Cup: Newcastle w 2-0 final . Forest 2-0 (H) 0-3 (A) s-f . Charlron 3-0 (H) q-f . Burnley 2-0 (H) R4 . Villa 4-2 (H) R3.
FA Cup: Man City L 2-1 final . Brighton 6pen 7 0-0 s-f . Fulham 3-1 (H) q-f . West Ham 3-1 (H) R5 . Reading 3-1 (H) R4 . Everton 3-1 (H) R3.
Oct: 5th in table, 1pts off 4th at Q1.
Jan: 3rd, 8pts off top at halfway stage Q2.
Apr: 4th, 3pts above 5th at three quarters stage Q3.
May: 3rd, 9pts behind 2nd at Q4. FA Cup final.
22/23 odds at start: title 25/1, top four 6-4, top six 4-9 . Sack EtH 25/1 . Expected to finish: just in top six.
Run in from 8/4/23: Everton 2-0 (H), Forest 0-2 (A), Spurs 2-2 (A),
Villa 1-0 (H), Brighton 1-0 (A), West Ham 1-0 (A), Wolves 2-0 (H), B'mouth 0-1 (A), Chelsea 4-1 (H), Fulham 2-1 (H)
Run in *forecast @ 7/4/23: 56pt > *73pts . Max was 83 . Actual = 75 . Po was 4th . Actual po = 3rd

Season12 FA Cup semi-final Sun 23/4/23 - @ Wembley
see match report in away section below.

Season11, 5th Premier League (H) Sat 7/5/22 - W 4-0 ~ Caicedo, Cucurella, Gross, Trossard.
This was our penultimate Amex contest, also a televised teatime kickoff as we approached end of the run-in, with a fifth consecutive home league clash versus Red Devils. Last term an incredulous finish to our fourth Prem meeting here hurt a fair bit and that very late over-time reversal still rankles fans feelings to date - see season10 below. So Brighton obviously wanted to even the score. Trouble was we were no great shakes at the community stadium thru yet another campaign of domestic toil & struggle in front of regular full houses. On the plus side we'd initially won twice against them at the Amex during our first two PL campaigns - see scroll further below. United were still in with a chance for competing in Europe next season, although the once impregnable title-winning outfit was in middle of yet another change of club coaching culture. Everything appeared set up for a winner take all, no holds barred contest of blue against red. Seagulls support said; bring it on!
*** match report: Albion registered the biggest Prem win to date, adding to our best points tally and place in the table. The nature of this victory was comprehensive against a side that were second best in attitude, desire, competitiveness and most of all ability to beat the keeper. In comparison Sanchez played a blinder; route one for goal 3, also when called upon to preserve his clean sheet during later stages. Seagulls took the lead when Caicedo's low shot went thru the area and in by the post (15min). Soon into the second period hosts went two up when Cucurella notched his first goal with a fierce strike (49min). Soon afterwards Gross got a third with great footwork in the box (57min). Then on the hour mark Trossard bundled home our fourth - which got past a VAR check as well as United's shell shocked rearguard (60min). It is no exaggeration to say BHA coulda got more goals, such was hosts attacking prowess throughout. Potter put on Webster, switching to four at the back, in a tactical move to have & hold as United attempted to salvage their pride at very least. Red Devils away support was vocal but mostly critical of what they were suffering. Brighton fans thought Xmas & birthdys had come together and floated up to cloud nine with Seagulls orbiting the noisy Amex. It was an afternoon to go into folklore and no better way to reward our keep the faith message, so necessary since attaining this level. Potter said; I cannot comment on opposition. I can speak about how good we were. It was a brilliant day.
Stats: ht 1-0, goals 15,49,57,60, poss 43%-57%, on target 6-5, off target 7-7, blocks 4-3, corners 7-6, crosses 20-23, o/s 3-3,
tackles 11-12, fouls 13-9, yellows 0-2, subs 3-3, shape 3511-4231
weather: cloudy & mild . gate: 31,637 . MoM: Gross - back to his best.
team: 1 Sanchez, 34 Veltman, 5 Dunk, 3 Cucurella, 20 March (2 Lamptey 78), 10 Mac Allister (4 Webster 67), 8 Bissouma,
25 Caicedo, 11 Trossard (9 Maupay 83), 13 Gross, 18 Welbeck . bench: 23 Steele (gk), 14 Lallana, 17 Alzate, 24 Duffy, 57 Offiah, 58 Ferguson.
squad: 28 Roberts . injured: 12 Mwepu, 15 Moder, 60 Sarmiento.
Prem: P36 . W4 D7 L7 . F16 A22 . W7 D7 L4 . F22 A20 . Pt47 Po9 = 1.30pt/gm . W = 30.5% L = 30.5%

Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L%
Total: 38 . 16 10 12 . 57 57 00 . 58 6 = 1.52 . 42.1 31.5
3qtrs: 29 . 14 08 07 . 48 40 08 . 50 6 = 1.72 . 48.2 24.1
Hfwy: 19 . 09 04 06 . 30 27 03 . 31 7 = 1.63 . 47.3 31.5 - R Rangnick
Start: 10 . 05 02 03 . 19 15 04 . 17 5 = 1.70 . 50.0 30.0 - O G Solskjaer
Ch Lg: A Madrid 1-1 (A) 0-1 (H) 16 .
Villarreal 2-1 (H) 0-2 (A), Atalanta 3-2 (H) 2-2 (A), Young Boys 2-1 (A) 1-1 (H) gp.
EFL Cup: West Ham 0-1 (H) R3.
FA Cup: Middlesbro 7pen8 1-1 aet (H) R4 . Villa 1-0 (H) R3.
Oct: 5th in table and 3pts off top four at Q1. Manager sacked in Nov.
Jan: 7th, 3pts behind 5th at halfway Q2.
Mar: 6th, 4pts off 4th at threequarters Q3. Out of FA Cup to C'ship side at Old Trafford. Out of Ch Lg.
May: finished 6th on 58pts, 11pts off 5th. Qualify for Europa League.

Season10, EFL Cup R4 (H) Wed 30/9/20 - L 0-3.
This evening tie was played behind closed doors under ongoing coronavirus restrictions.
After virilent victories versus two Championship opponents, Portsmouth at the Amex in the mid September 2nd rnd and then at Preston in the 3rd rnd eight days later, Albion soon predictably faced up to Prem opposition next... and guess what? Yes, we'd waited absolutely ages for a pukka fourth round tie and the very same big-boys club turns up at our place twice inside one week (see immediately below). You just couldn't make all this concentrated covid pandemic stuff up.
*** match report: Albion went out of the cup in routine fashion, although the score probably flattered visitors. United went ahead just prior to the interval from a well executed f-k that hosts didn't deal with at all (44min). Early in the second period injured Jahanbakhsh had to come off and locals switched to 442 for chasing an equaliser. But it was all over bar those echoes around a wet and deserted Amex when Red Devils netted a second from skill & quality finishing (73min). A late third goal, deflected off Veltman in the wall, had a slice of luck about it but that's how it has gone against BHA in two contests versus these big boys (80min - see report immediately below). Potter said it was down to fine margins and not too many would disagree. Albion 'reserves' were bolstered by Dunk & White from the first eleven but at end of the night United's squad proved they'd strength in depth. The gulf between big six outfits and the rest was there on tv for all pandemic isolating fans to plainly see. And in order to reach higher levels, Albion had lots of work still to do in the academy, scouting and recruitment systems. BHA's, Bloom's and Potter's visions were only really beginning and required a lengthy work in progress.
Stats: ht 0-1, goals 43,73,80, poss 51%-49%, on target 2-6, off target 10-4, corners 2-2, o/s 2-0, fouls 12-7, yellows 2-1, subs 3-3 . Weather: rain.
Team: 23 Steele, 34 Veltman Y, 3 White, 5 Dunk, 33 Burn Y, 30 Bernardo, 16 Jahanbakhsh (9 Maupay 50), 49 Molumby (41 Sanders 81),
10 Mac Allister, 13 Gross, 42 Gyokeres (11 Trossard 63) . Subs: 26 Sanchez, 43 Cochrane, 46 Roberts, 47 Jenks .
Squad: 7 Connolly, 17 Alzate, 20 March . Ban: 8 Bissouma . Injured : 24 Propper . MoM: Mac Allister.

Season10, 4th Premier League (H) Sat 26/9/20 - L 2-3 ~ Maupay, March.
Covid restrictions: no fans allowed.
This Prem season started a month later than usual, in mid September, following delayed completion of the previous campaign until late July - see season9 below. Today's match was a lunchtime kickoff broadcast for pay tv from an empty stadium.
Albion had come unstuck against a resurgent United last June, after the Prem run-in restarted, having been suspended since March '20 during the global coronavirus crisis. But previous performances against big-six outfits at the Amex were a useful gauage to measure actually where we were, so to speak. Chris Hughton's two-term Prem record was impressive compared to Graham Potter's steep learning curve set-back last season. However, on paper at least, Seagulls squad had been enhanced from that core Championship group who eventually gained promotion to the elite. Balogun, Kayal, Knockaert, Schelotto, Montoya, Mooy, Button and Stephens had left, Duffy & Murray gone out on loan, while Lallana & Veltman arrived. Now Potter, after dismantling that old guard, had to find the right blend of youth & experience throughout a concentrated season ahead. Today's outcome should reveal whether progress would be applied to local, seasonal or strategic variations on a theme - tick relevant boxes as and/or where appropriate.
*** match report: Albion lost an extraordinary encounter in the 10th minute of time added on. They'd hit frame of the goal no less than five times during open play and also had a couple of penalty claims turned down. Similarly United actually had the ball in the net that also got chalked off by VAR. To start proper scoring, Lamptey was clipped in the box and Maupay chipped in the spot kick (40min). Red Devils hit straight back at a corner routine where Dunk unfortunately registered an og (43min). After the break visitors went ahead from a long counter via a solo run (55min). Seagulls equalised very late when March headed home from a deep cross (95min). He then headed off the line at the death and next Ref blew for end of proceedings (90+5). But just prior VAR had spotted handball and United got a pen present - scored after first full time (90+10). You couldn't make it up. Potter kept calm & rational as usual but even for him & battle hardened B'ton fans, who had literally been around the block since 1999, it was very tough to take. Even after watching video re-runs on motd there remained a sense of disbelief at the result. It just goes to show, it's never over until it is.
Stats: ht 1-1, goals 40,95-43,55,100, poss 54%-46%, on target 5-4, off target 9-1, blocks 4-3, crosses 28-8, o/s 1-4, corners 7-1, tackles 12-15, fouls 18-16, yellows 4-2, subs 2-3 . Weather: cool & autumnal afternoon.
Team: 1 Ryan, 2 Lamptey, 3 White Y, 5 Dunk Y, 4 Webster, 20 March, 14 Lallana (13 Gross 75), 17 Alzate, 9 Maupay,
7 Connolly (16 Jahanbakhsh 75), 11 Trossard Y . Subs: 23 Steele, 30 Bernardo, 33 Burn, 34 Veltman, 49 Molumby.
Squad: 10 Mac Allister, 24 Propper, 26 Sanchez, 41 Sanders . Ban: 8 Bissouma . Injured: 19 Izquierdo, 21 Andone, 31 Walton . MoM: March.
Prem: P3 . W0 D0 L2 . F3 A6 . W1 D0 L0 . F3 A0 . Pt3 Po12 = 1.00pt/gm. Wins = 33.3%, Loss = 66.6%

Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L%
Total: 38 . 21 11 06 . 73 44 29 . 74 2 = 1.94 . 55.2 15.7
3qtrs: 29 . 16 09 04 . 56 32 24 . 57 2 = 1.96 . 55.1 13.7
Hfwy: 19 . 12 04 03 . 36 25 11 . 40 2 = 2.10 . 63.1 15.7
Start: 10 .. 06 01 03 . 19 17 02 . 19 6 = 1.90 . 60.0 30.0 - OG Solskjaer.
Europa League: Villareal final L 11pen10 1-1aet . s-f - Roma 6-2 (H) 3-2 (A) . q-f - Granada 0-2 (A) 2-0 (H) .
16 - AC Milan 1-1 (H) 0-1 (A) . 32 - Real Soc'd 0-4 (A) 0-0 (H).
Champions League: group - PSG 1-2 (A) 1-3 (H), RB Leipzig 5-0 (H) 3-2 (A), Istanbul Basaksehir 2-1 (A) 4-1 (H).
EFL Cup: Man City 0-2 (H) s-f, Everton 0-2 (A) q-f, Brighton 0-3 (A) R4, Luton 0-3 (A) R3.
FA Cup: Leicester 3-1 (A) q-f, West Ham 1-0 aet R5, Liverpool 3-2 (H) R4, Watford 1-0 (H) R3.
Nov: at end of the first quarter, United were 6th in the Prem table, 5pts behind the top two.
Jan: at the halfway stage Red Devils were second top, 1pt behind.
Mar: threequarters completed where runner up spot was still occupied but well adrift of top.
May: Prem runner-up 12pts behind top, Europa League losing finalists.

Season9, 3rd Premier League (H) Tuesday 30/6/20 - L 0-3.
PL suspended until restart from 17/6/20 after Sat 4/4/20 postponed. Revised evening fixture played behind closed doors without fans attending.
Due to spread of coronavirus the PL ordered a suspension of all matches from 14March, which originally included the final international break in proceedings (for Euro play-offs) just prior to this fixture when initially scheduled. Albion had good recent history hosting United and hoped to repeat results from previous Prem campaigns here (see Seasons 7&8 below). The problem was Red Devils were second in a series of four successive home games versus other big-six giants this run-in. We'd hosted Arsenal already (postponed for Covid-19 infection previously) and were then set to entertain Liverpool & Man City in the very same week next month. Graham Potter was now charged with getting a positive result here, to register with those obtained under tenure of Chris Hughton from our two former elite terms. Perhaps now was the time to compare these campaigns for end product, albeit at beginning of the run in. And Man Utd arrived fresh from an FA Cup q-f victory, were close up 6th in the div, so were good to go.
* * * match report: United hit the post early and playing off the front foot were two up by halftime (16,29 min). Early in the second period they countered quickly and netted a third (50 min). Albion couldn't live with them and although weren't bad, they were a class below Red Devils at this stage of the game. Potter changed shape for the second period but it was all over bar the lack of shouting in an empty stadium once Utd scored three. Seagulls plugged away to keep a debacle at bay but couldn't net a consolation as old frailties were exposed in front of the posts. Potter was proud of the graft but at end of the day, we'd been taken apart and the blow to confidence was more of a worry to him than tinkering with the squad. The next match would be mega important and losing again was unthinkable... as Brighton fans sat at home awaited following results from tv, radio, socials and phone calls. They didn't want it to all go to the wire by late July. If so, Brighton beach would be a nervous place to spend a Sunday afternoon, pandemic or not.
stats: shape 4411-4231, ht 0-2, goals 16,29,50, poss 37%-63%, on target 2-6, off target 5-4, corners 4-5, o/s 2-2, fouls 10-8, yellows 0-1,
subs 5-5 (5/9) . MoM - Dunk . Gate - 0 . Weather - cloudy & cool.
1 Ryan, 22 Montoya, 4 Duffy, 5 Dunk (30 Bernardo 81), 33 Burn, 2 Lamptey (11 Trossard 46), 6 Stephens, 24 Propper (7 Maupay 46),
8 Bissouma, 10 Mac Allister (18 Mooy), 44 Connolly (20 March 87) . Subs (5/9) - 27 Button, 23 Schelotto, 13 Gross, 17 Murray.
Squad - 16 Jahanbakhsh, 25 Kayal . Injured - 15 Webster, 19 Izquierdo, 46 Alzate.
Prem: P32 . W5 D6 L5 . F19 A19 . W2 D6 L8 . F15 A25 . Pt33 Po15 = 1.03pt/gm. Wins = 21.8%, Loss = 40.6%

Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L%
Total: 38 . 18 12 08 . 66 36 30 . 66 3 = 1.73 . 47.3 21.0 - OG Solskjaer, finish 27/7/20.
3qtrs: 29 . 12 09 08 . 44 30 14 . 45 5 = 1.55 . 41.3 27.5 PREM SUSPENDED
Hfwy: 19 . 07 07 05 . 30 23 07 . 28 7 = 1.47 . 36.8 26.3
Start: 10 . 03 04 03 . 13 10 03 . 13 7 = 1.30 . 30.0 30.0 - OG Solskjaer.
Europa League: s-f - Sevilla L 2-1. q-f - Copenhagen 1-0 aet. Last 16 - LASK 0-5 (A 2-1 (H). 32 - Bruges 5-0 (H) 1-1 (A).
group - Astana 2-1 (A) 1-0 (H), Partizan 0-1 (A) 3-0 (H), AZ Alkmaar 0-0 (A) 4-0 (H).
EFL Cup: s-f - Man City 0-1 (A) 1-3 (H), q-f - Colchester 3-0 (H), 4th rnd - Chelsea 1-2 (A), 3rd rnd - Rochdale 5pen3 1-1 (H).
FA Cup: Chelsea L 3-1 s-f, Norwich 1-2 aet (A) q-f, Derby 0-3 (A) R5, Tranmere 0-6 (A) R4, Wolves 1-0 (H) 0-0 (A) R3.
Aug: outside top six and merely chasing top four already.
Oct: falling behind leading six, seven points adrift of fourth spot.
New Year: back into 5th pos, qual for last 32 of Eu Lg and in FAC4 draw via replay.
March: in 5th position when PL suspended. Into FAC last eight. Eu Lg last 16.
July: challenged for a Champions League place, got to podium. FAC s-f. Europa Lg s-f.

Season8 2nd Premier League (H) Sunday 19/8/18 - W 3-2 ~ Murray, Duffy, Gross.
This match began Seagulls second PL home campaign and again obtained select tv coverage, by moving to Sunday kickoff. Irony suggested we had previously won here versus United, when our very last game at the Amex (see season7 below) got switched from Saturday. Meanwhile fringe players Ulloa (loan), Goldson, Huenemeier, Rosenior (U23 coach), Maenpaa, Sidwell, Krul, Ince, Murphy, Baldock & Skalak left during the close season. Norwood went out on loan. Prior to BHA's July tour to base camp in Austria, Ryan, Izquierdo & new guy Leon Balogun had played at the World Cup during June in Russia. The PL summer transfer window now closed at start of the season and to date Martin Montoya, Ali Jahanbakhsh, Yves Bissouma, Bernardo da Silva, Leon Balogun, Florin Andone and homegrown keepers David Button & Jason Steele had been added to the rejigged 25 man PL squad. Reserve c-d Dan Burn signed on deadline day. The revised U23 group, with several new signings, were now competing in PL2 div1 and also facing fixtures against elite clubs. On the day Chris Hughton selected a tied & tested eleven, although with influencial Bruno injured, Montoya now made his PL debut in lieu of the club captain.
* * * match report: Albion actually did the double, in terms of a second win versus United at the Amex in consecutive games. It wasn't all that straightforward, Dunk being injured from the 10th minute and replaced by debutant Balogun (20min). The armband went to Stephens and he helped provide inpetus from midfield to stifle early build ups by Red Devils. Seagulls then took the lead when March got the assist for Murray to prod home (25min). In next to no time hosts were two up when Duffy notched at the second attempt from a corner routine (27min). United hit back quickly with a header after mistakes in defence (34min). But Ref pointed to the spot just prior to half-time when Gross got floored and he rose to convert the penalty kick (44min). United regrouped for a 2nd period onslaught but locals held firm outside the area and soaked up pressure using proactive measures without the ball. On ninety minutes Hughton put on 2 subs to kill time. But Ref again decided a pen was required and Utd duly netted a very late consolation. Hughton said, 'I am proud, particularly the reaction from last week. If you let them play they can hurt you. Both sides of our game were really good.' Brighton fans were delerious with pleasure and at final whistle went vocally crazy. It was noticeable by then that the away end was almost empty.
Stats; shape 4411-433, h-t 3-1, goals 25,27,44-34,95, poss 33%-67%, on target 3-3, off target 3-6, corners 3-5, o/s 2-2, fouls 16-13, yellows 1-1, subs 3-3 . Gate 30,592, away 3025 . Weather - pleasant afternoon.
1 Ryan, 22 Montoya, 4 Duffy, 5 Dunk (14 Balogan 20), 3 Bong, 11 Knockaert, 6 Stephens, 24 Propper, 20 March, 13 Gross (7 Kayal 89),
17 Murray Y67 (9 Locadia 90) . Bench - 27 Button, 30 Bernardo, 8 Bissouma, 16 Jahanbakhsh.
Prem P2 . W1 D0 L0 . F3 A2 . W0 D0 L1 . F0 A2 . Pt3 Po11 = 1.50pt/gm. Wins = 50%, Loss = 50%

Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L%
Total; 38 . 19 09 10 . 65 54 11 . 66 6 = 1.73 . 50.0 26.3 - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
3qtrs; 29 . 17 07 05 . 58 38 20 . 58 4 = 2.00 . 58.6 17.2
Hfwy; 19 . 09 05 05 . 37 31 06 . 32 6 = 1.68 . 47.3 26.3
Start; 10 . 05 02 03 . 17 17 00 . 17 8 = 1.70 . 50.0 30.0 - Jose Mourinho.
Champions League; q-f - Barcelona 0-1 (H) 3-0 (A), 16 - PSG 0-2 (H) 1-3 (A). Group - Juventus 0-1 (H) 1-2 (A), Valencia 0-0 (H) 2-1 (A),
Young Boys 0-3 (A) 1-0 (H).
EFL Cup; 3rd rnd - Derby 7-8 pens 2-2 (H)
FA Cup; q-f - Wolves 2-1 (A), 5th rnd - Chelsea 0-2 (A), 4th rnd - Arsenal 1-3 (A), 3rd rnd - Reading 2-0 (H)
JM record; to Aug 18 - P120 W74 D25 L21 Wins = 61.6%
Aug; Jose is glum for a reason. He knows the score but doesn't want others to read his mind, only public face. Watch that space.
October; a disappointing start to say least but potential for upward curve. Out of EFL Cup on pens.
New Year; new manager in Ole and made a difference to regain top six. FA Cup progress.
March; now in a four way battle for third. Champs Lg q-f. FA Cup q-f.

Season7 1st Premier League (H) Friday 4/5/18 - W 1-0 ~ Gross.
This was the last home fixtue of the PL season and was selected for televising to a world-wide audience. Albion hadn't done that well hosting the big-six clubs: Man City 0-2, Liverpool 1-5, Chelsea 0-4, Arsenal 2-1 & Spurs 1-1 to date. Also 7th Burnley 0-0, 8th Everton 1-1 & 9th Leicester 0-2. We had twice been up to Old Trafford this term, the latest occasion being two months ago for an FA Cup Q-F tie when BHA were knocked out. Now the situation was that Seagulls still needed points to ensure appearing in the division next term. They were one from all bottom half of the table outfits looking over shoulders at those behind possibly getting wins whilst own results were registering reversals. Albion hadn't won during those last two months but for tonight at least, destiny was still in their hands.
* * * match report: In the event Albion won the game and stayed up for sure to boot. The overall display was more than competent and each player did his job to effect. Visitors were off colour on the night but that is not to take anything away from a superb team performance. Seagulls took the game to United and shaded the first half, being unlucky not to score due to fine goalkeeping by Red Devils goalie. Then during the second period Gross headed Izquierdo's cross over the line - Ref aided by Hawkeye technology (57min). Ten minutes later the German Player of the Season was booked when preventing a Utd goalscoring opportunity. The atmosphere built to fever pitch as Hughton put on 3 late subs in a classic tactic of great game management. At the end the stadium erupted into a climax of noise and celebration. Regarding survival Hughton said, 'it means everything. It has been a nervous ending with the run in, with big games coming up. We've come a long way and had some tough periods. The chairman has invested heavily in the club and I am delighted for him.' Brighton fans would drink a toast to that and also club, manager & players who did us all so proud this season.
Stats; shape 4411-433, ht 0-0, goals 57, poss 32%-68%, on target 4-3, off target 4-7, corners 5-6, o/s 1-2, fouls 5-3, yellows 2-0, subs 3-3.
Gate 30,611.
1 Ryan, 2 Bruno, 22 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 3 Bong, 11 Knockaert, 6 Stephens, 24 Propper, 19 Izquierdo (20 March 88),
13 Gross (7 Kayal 84), 17 Murray (16 Ulloa 93).
Prem P36 . W9 D13 L14 . F33 A47 . Pt40 Po11 = 1.11pt/gm . Wins = 25.0%, Loss = 38.8%

Quatr: Pl . W D L . . . F A GD . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L%
Total; 38 . 25 06 07 . 68 28 40 . 81 2 = 2.13 . 65.7 18.4 - Jose Mourinho.
3qtrs; 29 . 19 05 05 . 56 22 34 . 62 2 = 2.13 . 65.5 15.6
Hfwy; 19 . 13 03 03 . 41 14 27 . 42 2 = 2.21 . 68.4 15.7
Start; 10 . 07 02 01 . 23 04 19 . 23 2 = 2.30 . 70.0 10.0
August - top four is likely, as & when JM gets his second year act together.
New Year - on track for a podium place and maybe a Cup run too.
March - competition to be runner-up. EFL Cup q-f. FA Cup s-f. Champions League last 16.

MAN UTD away:
Seasn . W D L . F A GD . Pt Po pt/gm %Pt . W% L%
24/25 - 0 0 1 . 1 2 -1 . 0 14 = 0.00 00.0 . 00.0 100.0 - Erik ten Hag @ 13/9/24
23/24 - 08 3 8 . 26 30 -04. 27 8 = 1.42 45.0 . 42.1 42.1 - Erik ten Hag
22/23 - 08 3 8 . 22 33 -11. 27 3 = 1.42 36.0 . 42.1 42.1 - Erik ten Hag
21/22 - 06 5 8 . 25 35 -10. 23 6 = 1.21 39.6 . 31.5 42.1 - R Rangnick & O G Solskjaer
20/21 - 12 7 0 . 35 16 19 . 43 2 = 2.26 58.1 . 63.1 00.0 - O G Solskjaer
19/20 - 08 5 6 . 26 19 07 . 29 3 = 1.52 43.9 . 42.1 31.5 - O G Solskjaer, finish 27/7/20.
18/19 - 09 3 7 . 32 29 03 . 30 6 = 1.57 45.4 . 47.3 36.8 - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer & Jose Mourinho.
17/18 - 10 4 5 . 30 19 11 . 34 2 = 1.78 41.9 . 52.6 26.3 - Jose Mourinho.
16/17 - 10 5 4 . 28 17 11 . 35 6 = 1.84 50.7 . 52.6 21.0 - Jose Mourinho.
15/16 - 07 4 8 . 22 26 -4 .. 25 5 = 1.31 37.8 . 36.8 42.1 - Louis van Gaal.
14/15 - 06 8 5 . 21 22 -1 .. 26 4 = 1.36 37.1 . 31.5 26.3 - Louis van Gaal.
13/14 - 10 4 5 . 35 22 13 . 34 7 = 1.78 53.1 . 52.6 26.3 - David Moyes.

MAN UTD PREVIOUS PREM; podiums
22/23 Man City Arsenal Man Utd .
20/21 Man City, Man Utd, Liverpool . 19/20 - Liverpool, Man City, Man Utd . 17/18 - Man City, Man Utd, Tottenham .
12/13 - Man Utd, Man City, Chelsea . 11/12 - Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal.
Prem points: 89, 89, 64, 70, 66, 69, 81, 66, 66 / 74, 58, 75, 60
recent managers; Ralf Rangnick (21-22), Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (18-21), Jose Mourinho (16-18), Louis van Gaal (14-16), David Moyes (13-14),
Sir Alex Ferguson (1986-2013).
Ralf Rangnick (interim 21-22) . Experience: got a good pedigree in Europe.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer (18-21) - P151 wins = 55.6% @ Aug '21 . Experience: ex-Utd player, yet to prove a top coach.

Seasn . W D L . . F A GD . . Pt Po pt/gm . W% L%
23/24 - 18 06 14 . 57 58 -1 . 60 8 = 1.57 . 47.3 36.8 - Erik ten Hag @ 20/5/24
Their worst finish since placed 7th the season after Sir Alex left in 2013.
22/23 - 23 06 09 . 58 43 15 . 75 3 = 1.97 . 60.5 23.6 - Erik ten Hag @ 28/5/23
Got into stride to claim last step on the podium with a strong finish during the run in.
21/22 - 16 10 12 . 57 57 00 . 58 6 = 1.52 . 42.1 31.5 - Ralf Rangnick @ 22/5/22
Disappointing campaign after OGS went and interim coach took over. Lowest Prem points score and fans unsettled by club culture.
20/21 - 21 11 06 . 73 44 29 . 74 2 = 1.94 . 55.2 15.7 - OG Solskjaer @ 24/5/21
Got runner up spot comfortably, although unable to challange for title.
19/20 - 18 12 08 . 66 36 30 . 66 3 = 1.73 . 47.3 21.0 - OG Solskjaer. PL SUSPENDED, complete @ 27/7/20
Post lockdown form to put them into the top four and OGS lit a fire under them to make the podium.
18/19 - 19 09 10 . 65 54 11 . 66 6 = 1.73 . 50.0 26.3 - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
In truth a season of ups & downs on and off the field. But at end of the day, seems a work in progress from top to bottom.
17/18 - 25 06 07 . 68 28 40 . 81 2 = 2.13 . 65.7 18.4 - Jose Mourinho.
That special one from Portugal came on board at United last term with a point to prove. Two seasons later he was slightly on the back foot when analysing campaign performance & finish.
16/17 - 18 15 05 . 54 29 25 . 69 6 = 1.81 . 47.3 13.1 - Jose Mourinho.
Following top men who presumably 'failed' was a tough ask in the circumstances. This term was in prep for a higher re-launch.
15/16 - 19 09 10 . 49 35 14 . 66 5 = 1.73 . 50.0 26.3 - Louis van Gaal.
Looking at the last 3 years stats is one way of understanding Red Devils fall from grace in an uncompromising division. At least there was an FA Cup to look at in the otherwise empty, newest silverware cabinet.
14/15 - 20 10 08 . 62 37 25 . 70 4 = 1.84 . 52.6 21.0 - Louis van Gaal
Red Devils suffered a poor start and Louis van Gaal, with a revised strategy, didn't better his predecessor by vastly superior stats or tactics. But top four was certainly another turnaround.
13/14 - 19 07 12 . 64 41 23 . 64 7 = 1.68 . 50.0 31.5 - David Moyes.
Sir Alex Ferguson was some class act to follow and David Moyes fell short by a long way in his single year as boss at United. It also impacted on subsequent failure for competitions in Europe.
12/13 - 28 05 05 . 86 43 43 . 89 1 = 2.34 . 73.6 13.1
11/12 - 28 05 05 . 89 33 56 . 89 2 = 2.34 . 73.6 13.1

FA CUP from 11/12; 4th, q-f, 3rd, q-f, winners, q-f, finalists, q-f, s-f, q-f, 4th, finalists, winners
LEAGUE CUP; q-f, 4th rnd, s-f, 2nd, 4th, winners, q-f, 3rd, s-f, s-f, 3rd, winners, 4th.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE; gp, last 16, q-f, nq, nq, nq, last 16, q-f, nq, gp, last 16, nq, gp.
EUROPA LEAGUE; last 16, nq, nq, nq, last 16, winners, nq, nq, s-f, finalists, q-f.
* * * * *

Falmer years, from 2011 to 2017 - no meetings.

Withdean Era, from 1999 to 2011 - no meetings.

Man Utd - Away, Falmer Years:
Prem 17/18-24/25, seasons 7-14 . . '18 '23 FA Cup.

United v Albion (A) from 17/18: 1-0 2-1 3-1 2-1 2-0 1-2 1-3 . . W = 2 D = 0 L = 5 . F8 A12
scorers: Gross 4 Dunk Welbeck 2 Pedro.
memorable match: Season11 (A) - a VAR induced red card and the game is up in all senses.
note: for home Falmer Years results & reports scroll further up.

Season14, 8th Premier League (A) Sat 18/1/25 - tba
This reciprocal Jan '25 fixture was the 12th of 19 away and immediately followed a mid-week away contest at Ipswich - as there wasn't a winter Prem pause between first & second halves of the campaign this term (Q2-3). The reverse game was 24 Aug '24 at start of things (Q1) - see home scroll further above. Last term we met here during mid Sept '23, when gaining a well deserved away win. But we had lost the home match last season during May '24, in a poor run-in finishing sequence. At the recent halfway stage (Q2) we had xpts and they had xpts. Now later (Q3) we had xpts and they had xpts. Our Prem record at Old Trafford versus United was; lll llw w - in all seven seasons to date. Not one draw in that sequence. Current away form was; W D L F A tba. Hosts home form was: W D L F A tba. At the moment Brighton were xth, while United were xth from x games played. At the halfway stage we were xth and they were xth. In the last three campaigns we'd been 9, 6 & 8 at the halfway stage and finished 9, 6 & 11. Albion were looking to get a third victory running at Red Devils. Their boss had so far ... tba in the January window. In the revised Europa League format United were drawn against 8 European clubs and... tba. In the FA Cup . Headline news this week was ... tba
*** match report: tba day after result
stats: ht , goals , poss %-%, on target , off target , corners , fouls , yellows , subs , shape
weather: . gate: . MoM:
team: 23 Steele 2 Lamptey 29 van Hecke 5 Dunk 30 Estupinan 24 Adingra 10 Enciso 18 Welbeck
subs:
bench: 1 Verbruggen 3 Julio 4 Webster 6 Milner 7 March 9 Pedro 15 Moder 20 Baleba 22 Mitoma 28 Ferguson 34 Veltman 41 Hinshelwood
squad: . injured:
Prem P23 . W D L . F A . W D L . F A . Pt? Po? = x.xxpt/gm . W = xx% L = xx%

Season13, 7th Premier League (A) Sat 16/9/23 - W 1-3 ~ Welbeck, Gross, Pedro
During mid summer's pre-season build up United played 5 friendlies overseas. They first beat Leeds 2-0 (Oslo) and then Lyon 1-0 (Edinburgh). Of 4 games on their American tour; defeating Arsenal 2-0 was a boost. But they lost in the US to Wrexham 3-1, R Madrid 2-0 and B Dortmund 2-3. Then later in UK friendlies; hosted Lens 3-1 (H) before playing A Bilbao 1-1 in Dublin prior to the new Prem kickoff. Albion were 6th (62pts) and Red Devils 3rd (75pts) last term, giving a 13pts -ve difference. And both clubs qualified for separate knockout European competitions this season. So far there was much blue & white excitement gathering in the festive seaside city ahead of the first game at the Amex against AEK Athens next week. Since joining the elite, Albion had finished 15, 17, 15, 16, 9, 6, while MU were 2, 6, 3, 2, 6, 3. Hosts were again aiming to consolidate as regular podium achievers as of old. Our Prem record at Old Trafford versus United was; lll llw in all six seasons to date. Five initial losses in a row obviously stand out. We had often scored goals there, tho getting a positive result was another matter. This fixture was merely our second on the road but came after the first international break for European Championship qualifiers. Going into our mid Sept match BHA were currently 6th and MU merely 11th, tho it was obviously early days to draw conclusions. The giant northwest outfit had spent 250m in the Aug transfer window on 5 buys, plus 2 on loan and a free as well. Consequently United boss Erik ten Hag was required to improve final finishing positions in all four competitons this term. Based on previous meetings Brighton were now looking to avoid yet another loss at United's huge big-northern-city venue.
*** match report: in the event Albion did more than enough to hold hosts and went on to record a second straight away win against a below-par so-called big-six outfit. Against run of early play Welbeck slotted the first from an Adingra assist (20min). Locals had the ball in the net just prior to h-t but VAR ruled it out. After turnaround Gross put us two up with a clever strike from a Lamptey pass (53mins). Then sub Pedro smashed home a third goal when again set up by Lamptey (71mins). But Brighton's failure to keep a clean sheet was highlighted when United immediately grabbed a goal back with a long shot (73mins). De Zerbi said he was honoured to be coach of this squad, travelling support sang their praises and various media & broadcasting comments were all very positive for BHA's head coach & wider squad. Everybody appeared on the same page, where each position had flexible alternatives to jigsaw into the team and style of play. There was unity, a band of brothers attitude and will to go the extra mile for the team. New on-loan star Fati made sub debut, integrated well and seemed a good fit for what previously was south-coast Prem make-weights. Now we could go to big-city boys with elite confidence and scare the pants off 'em to boot!
stats: ht 0-1, goals 73-20,53,71, poss 44%-56%, on target 4-8, off target 4-2, blocks 6-0, o/s 4-1, corners 8-1,
tackles 16-18, fouls 8-9, yellows 2-2, subs 5-5, shape 433-4231
weather: nice . gate: 73,592, away 3093 . MoM: Lamptey - up to speed again.
team: 23 Steele 34 Veltman 29 van Hecke 5 Dunk 2 Lamptey 24 Adingra 8 Dahoud 13 Gross 14 Lallana 22 Mitoma 18 Welbeck
subs: 9 Pedro 64 (18), 31 Fati 64 (14), 6 Milner 77 (2), 11 Gilmour 77 (8), 28 Ferguson 85 (24)
bench: 1 Verbruggen 3 Julio 4 Webster 20 Baleba
squad: 30 Estupinan 40 Buonanotte . injured: 7 March 10 Enciso 15 Moder
Prem P5 . W2 D0 L1 . F8 A5 . W2 D0 L0 . F7 A2 . Pt12 Po4 = 2.40pt/gm . W = 80% L = 20%

Season12 FA Cup semi-final @ Wembley Sun 23/4/23 - L 6pen7 0-0
On winning our mid-March Sunday afternoon q-f at the Amex, Albion drew Man Utd or Fulham in the s-f prior to their eventful evening q-f clash at Old Trafford. In the event it was Red Devils who prevailed from a dramatic if not to say traumatic encounter. So thoughts of going to Wembley for a knockout semi-final again flooded Brighton fans minds - like when we'd previously met the blue side of Manchester in the guise of City during April 2019. Senior supporters also recalled that one-off 1983 FA Cup final appearance against mighty Man Utd in the old iconic twin-towers stadium there, now 40 years ago. It had been a very long wait to renew acquaintance on hallowed England turf. Albion were enjoying a fruitful campaign in the Prem so there was every reason for Brighton fans to go to Wembley full of hope for winning this knockout and reaching the final.
*** match report: Albion were knocked out of the competition by 7 pens to 6 after a goalless game that went thru extra time 0-0. Seagulls had majority of possession throughout this prolonged stalemate but couldn't convert a single opportunity to effect a breakthru. Everything was there in build up and movement into the final third but that final finish didn't happen. Both keepers made vital saves to keep it in balance at nil-nil, while opposing strikers were well shackled by defenders. In some respects there was a constant midfield battle for getting & taking the ball forwards towards attackers. At times each outfit tried to counter with long balls up field as the tie became more open and end to end. De Zerbi made merely two changes, compared to United who put on all five subs. And maybe lack of depth in BHA's squad caused RdZ to ponder on whether to throw inexperienced youngsters into the mix at the death. We didn't have enough options off the bench to break deadlock. At 5-5 on pens neither keeper had made a save. And so it went into sudden death - 6-6. Then fickle finger of fate pointed. Seagulls were shot down and the final would be all Manchester. De Zerbi said to close the page. He was thinking of the next match already. On St George's Day Brighton fans had come close to slaying the Wembley hoodoo dragon... in folklore at least.
stats: e-t 0-0, f-t 0-0, ht 0-0, goals 0, poss 61%-39%, on target 5-6, off target 10-9, corners 8-3, fouls 17-13, yellows 1-3, subs 2-5, shape 4231-4231
weather: cloudy . gate: 81,445 (36,002 BHA) . MoM: Caicedo - top man
team: 1 Sanchez 13 Gross 4 Webster 5 Dunk 20 Estupinan 7 March 10 Mac Allister 20 Enciso 25 Caicedo 22 Mitoma 18 Welbeck .
subs: 34 Veltman 67 (20), 21 Undav 75 (18)
bench: 23 Steele (gk) 6 Colwill 29 van Hecke 26 Ayari 27 Gilmour 40 Buonanotte 42 Offiah
injured: 2 Lamptey 14 Lallana 19 Sarmiento 28 Ferguson . squad: 15 Moder

Season12, 6th Premier League (A) Sun 7/8/22 - w 1-2 ~ Gross 2.
This match was the very first of our sixth Prem campaign. Stats beforehand were: 5 wins to them and zero, zip, zilch for us (see away scroll below). No better time & place then to alter that status quo and at least hang on to the point we'd start with at kickoff. It wasn't that Albion had been beaten out of sight for each previous contest, more that margins went against us and other mitigating circumstances applied which you can't call excuses or label as failure to turn up. We'd previously visited during Nov '17, Jan & Nov '19, Apr '21 and Feb '22, these mainly being northern style cooler weather clashes (seasons 7-11). So maybe a change of season and higher temperature could help put us southern sunny side up for once over in notoriously wet and dismal Manchester. In June Yves Bissouma left for Spurs but Albion signed Julio Enciso a young prospect from Paraguay. Deniz Undav rejoined the squad, along with Kaoru Mitoma & Kacper Kozlowski, all three were previously on loan at RUSG. A whole host of players went out on loan including; Duffy, Connolly, Zeqiri, Khadra, Karbownik, Ab Sima and new signing Simon Adingra. On opening day Marc Cucurella signed for Chelsea, Levi Colwill coming in from them on loan. United in contrast spent above 60m by start of the season on two imports. But general opinion held they would have another difficult campaign ahead, with a new manager to boot.
*** match report: Guess what... yeah, Albion got a first ever win there and were good value against a miss-firing United squad. Gross got two goals in a super first half display of teamwork & tactics. Both were tap-ins following terriffic passing moves from back to front (30 & 39 min). Red Devils got a rocket at the break and turned up the heat on a sunny & warm afternoon up north. They reduced the deficit when Sanchez & Mac Allister got in a mix up at a corner (68 min). But Seagulls defence did a great job to hold out against hosts attacks. Potter inserted subs at the critical time and switched from 3 to 4 at the back and then 3 again in response to on field action. In this way Seagulls didn't have to employ a pressing game but make most of transitions when hosts majority possession broke down. On the day it was BHA team-play that counted over so-called super-star individuals in red shirts. United couldn't cut it and Southgate was there to witness their defeat and scribble copious notes. Brighton fans were on cloud nine, fully appreciating the magnitude of this performance. What a start to our campaign and wearing blue & white too.
stats: ht 0-2, goals 68-30,39, poss 63%-37%, on 5-4, off 12-11, corners 6-2, fouls 7-12, yellows 4-1, subs 5-4, shape 433-3421.
weather: sunny & warm . gate: 73,711 (away 2553) . MoM: Welbeck - class display.
team: 1 Sanchez, 34 Veltman, 5 Dunk, 4 Webster, 7 March 6 Colwill 91), 10 Mac Allister, 25 Caicedo, 11 Trossard (2 Lamptey 75),
13 Gross, 18 Welbeck (21 Undav 94), 14 Lallana (8 Mwepu 76) . bench: 23 Steele, 29 van Hecke, 9 Maupay, 19 Sarmiento, 22 Mitoma.
squad: 17 Alzate, 20 Enciso, 26 Clarke . injured: Moder.
Prem: P1 . W0 D0 L0 . F0 A0 . W1 D0 L0 . F2 A1 . Pt3 Po6 = 3.00pt/gm . W = 100% L = 0%

Season11, 5th Premier League (A) Tue 15/2/22 - L 2-0.
This match was postponed from pre-Xmas Sat 18 Dec (12:30pm k-o) due to a Covid oubreak at United. So nearly two months later we were back at Old Trafford for a fifth league visit tonight - as the fixture wasn't rescheduled until late Jan. And what had we to show from four efforts there thus far? Well, do the resulting maths and go figure; 4 x L = 0, or zero, zip, zilch. Albion at least needed now to stop Red Devils scoring freely for a kickoff. Potter's squad was basically the same as last term with a couple of additions, although neither was a striker. To be fair, we were doing ok, if not much better, from what we'd got left of the 'old' set. Up north ex-Utd hero Ole Gunnar Solskjaer showed it took more than coaching tickets to raise the game. He spent big back in last summer to around 130m and fans worldwide would be disappointed if these Red giants failed to ignite. In the event OGS was relieved of all duties during November '21 with Utd out of the top six. Subsequently veteran coach Ralf Rangnick took over at Old Trafford for the duration, or however long it took to turn such devilish things around. For many fans of either blue or red shirts '22 would be a year with prospects to resolve.
* * * match report: Albion crashed to defeat and Dunk was sent off to boot. The first half was goalless and visitors were in control but failed to put the ball into the old onion bag. Seagulls paid dearly for that fts stat when Utd netted early in the second period (51min). Very soon afterwards Dunk saw red when VAR told Ref to go to the monitor (54min). Potter made changes and the 10 men went forward where possible, although it was basically last ditch defence. At the death with blue & white pushed up field attempting an equaliser hosts broke and travellers conceded once more (97min). So it was disappointing all round for BHA support and ended a useful run of positive results. That clinical striker fans hoped to see on books this term was still out there somewhere... and he was sorely needed tonight. Goals win games and this was the difference between a team that could score and one that couldn't.
Stats: ht 0-0, goals 51,97, poss 50%-50%, on target 7-3, off target 12-7, corners 10-2, fouls 8-10, yellows 3-1, red 0-1, subs 3-3, shape 4231-442
weather: mild . gate: 73,063 (away 1283) . MoM: Moder - unlucky.
team: 1 Sanchez, 34 Veltman, 4 Webster, 5 Dunk R, 3 Cucurella, 13 Gross (17 Alzate 60), 8 Bissouma, 15 Moder,
10 Mac Allister Y, 9 Maupay (18 Welbeck 70), 11 Trossard (2 Lamptey 60) .
bench: 23 Steele, 24 Duffy, 14 Lallana, 20 March, 25 Caicedo, 58 Ferguson.
squad: 28 Roberts . injured: 12 Mwepu, 60 Sarmiento . ban: 0 . ill: 0 .
Prem: P24 . W3 D5 L3 . F10 A11 . W4 D7 L2 . F15 A14 . Pt33 Po9 = 1.37pt/gm . W = 29.1% L = 20.8%

Season10, 4th Premier League (A) Sun 4/4/21 - L 2-1 ~ Welbeck
Covid restrictions: no fans attending (post-lockdown 3, Tiers 3/4/5).
After a fourth pause in our 4th Prem campaign, this fixture began that all important run-in (Q4). Albion were back at another top-six venue and there is none bigger than Old Trafford. But due to onging pandemic protocols the game was played behind closed doors on a Sunday night in front of pay tv cameras. In three attempts previously BHA hadn't got any points here but had twice scored the odd goal by way of compensation. Tony Bloom ultimately used available mitigating circumstances of the coronavirus epidemic to disguise disappointment in Seagulls struggling earlier through a third term in the bottom six. Graham Potter now had the immense task to get points at places like this, in order to lift the club clear from fear of relegation, head up towards midtable and continue consolidation in the elite. But the truth was it had been yet another term of struggle against long odds of breaking free from those lower order clubs. Each quarter, compared directly to equivalents in previous Prem campaigns, bore out in figures the stark truth. Albion did have a way to go before being competitve, scoring to win, making the jump into midtable and also holding such a position. The thing about football tables is that clubs at the top tend to win, while those at the bottom lose. Man Utd are regularly a top team and we are a perennial bottom six outfit.
*** match report: In the event Albion coulda, possibly shoulda got something here, were denied a pen appeal and at end of the night didn't play so bad. But 'deserving' points isn't rewarded. Only obtaining equal scores, or heaven help us maybe getting one more goal than them would do. Welbeck (13min) opened scoring with a header from Maupay's cross and Seagulls won the first half. However it was a different story during the second period and BHA conceded twice (62 & 83min). Any lack of concentration, basic mistake, sloppy pass or similar action both physical & mental will result in opponents readily taking advantage. It is the Prem after all and these pukka players look for such opportunities to exploit. You can shape up 541 or 352, park the bus or let them have the ball a lot but at end of play everything has had to have gone for you. It didn't for Albion when Ref or VAR did not call a pen when Welbeck went down chased by a defender. Nor when Dunk headed onto the bar, Moder's shot deflected wide and White just couldn't clear off our line. That's football - read it and weep.
Stats: ht 0-1, goals 62,83-13, poss 60%-40%, on target 7-3, off target 8-2, corners 5-6, fouls 14-7, yellows 2-2, subs 3-3, shape 4231-3412 . Weather: cold
Team: 26 Sanchez, 3 White Y, 5 Dunk, 34 Veltman, 13 Gross Y, 8 Bissouma, 14 Lallana (29 Zeqiri 88), 15 Moder (16 Jahanbakhsh 87),
9 Maupay, 18 Welbeck, 11 Trossard (10 Mac Allister 63) . Bench: 23 Steele, 6 Karbownik, 17 Alzate, 19 Izquierdo, 24 Propper, 25 Caicedo.
Squad: 7 Connolly, 22 Tau, 33 Burn . Injured: 2 Lamptey, 4 Webster, 20 March . MoM: Lallana
Prem: P30 . W2 D7 L6 . F16 A19 . W5 D4 L6 . F17 A19 . Pt32 Po16 = 1.06pt/gm. Wins = 23.3%, Loss = 40.0%

Season9, 3rd Premier League (A) Sun 10/11/19 - L 3-1 ~ Dunk.
During winter & spring of '19, actually going on a return visit to Old Trafford for this season had been in some doubt until May, given that protracted series of poor results extending from our last meeting there during January (see Season8 below) then on throughout that traumatic run-in last term. Chris Hughton paid the ultimate price for merely keeping BHA up and now Graham Potter was tasked with taking Seagulls to greater heights. The Prem squad as such received a few pre-season ins, while outs included off-loading several players permanently or on seasonal loans to lower divs. So far It was agreed among Brighton fans that entertainment-wise, new-look Albion were attractive to watch on any going day. But in terms of goal difference, points tally and position, comparisons with the past two PL seasons were still within similar limitations. It wasn't that Prem results fine lines were now thicker to cross but more that all those ingredients required to find the right cutting edge were still in mix. Today would reveal if peceived progress was real or merely imaginary.
* * * match report: Oh dear, a reality check kicked in and not just concerning much disputed VAR analysis! Albion got beat fair & square and were also exposed as a side who could talk the talk but forever fail to walk the walk. Five players got booked, Dunk receiving a 5th yellow and ban to boot as Red Devils ran amok. Sloppy goals conceded at 17 & 19 mins sealed our fate by halftime - Stevens deflection & Propper og. Potter put Murray & March into the fray for the whole second period and later Gross, in a bid to get back into the game from the hour mark. So then at a super Gross corner Dunk nutted into netting for a lifeline to grab & hold (64min). But United immediately went up the other end to definitely seal our fate with another goal and ensuring lacklustre out-classed defeat on the road (66min).
At end of the day it's not about how much you have the ball but what you do with it. And Albion couldn't do that much, while United looked likely to score each & every time they regained possession, broke with pace and turned us around again & again. Potter said, 'we tried but didn't play at the level we can.' Brighton fans could see it was a familiar pattern repeating at away fixtures just like in those two previous PL seasons. Expansive football looked pretty but in truth allowed opposition so many opportunities to get at us. And a counter-attacking outfit like United on their own turf ran riot. Whether we went 442 or 541 the result was only gonna be yet another loss many miles from the Amex. Chris Hughton did keep BHA in the Prem against short odds for the drop during last spring. All Brighton fans hoped Graham Potter also wouldn't be faced with a similar challenge from January. Seagulls looked lightweight already and maybe Tony Bloom would flash the cash once more after New Year if things continued to go tits up on travels.
Stats; h-t 2-0, goals 17,19,66-64, shape 433-541, poss 43%-57%, on target 11-2, off target 5-3, passes 360-476, o/s 0-4, corners 5-2, fouls 10-14, yellows 2-5, subs 3-3 . MoM - Ryan . Gate 73,556, away 1896 . Weather - dry but chilly.
1 Ryan, 22 Montoya Y (20 March 46), 5 Dunk Y, 4 Duffy, 33 Burn Y, 11 Trossard (13 Gross 59), 6 Stephens Y, 24 Propper Y, 7 Maupay,
44 Connolly (17 Murray) . Bench - 27 Button, 14 Balogun, 18 Mooy, 21 Schelotto.
Squad - 3 Bong, 8 Bissouma, 16 Jahanbakhsh . Injured - 15 Webster, 19 Izquierdo, 30 Bernardo.
Prem P12 . W3 D2 L1 F10 A6 . W1 D1 L4 F5 A11 . Pt15 Po11 = 1.25pt/gm. Wins = 33.3%, Loss = 41.6%

Season8 2nd Premier League (A) Sat 19/1/19 - L 2-1 ~ Gross.
What could Albion expect to get from this contest against resurgent Red Devils, when going there again with such a poor away record? There had been bad results at, Cardiff 2-1, Everton 3-1, Burnley 1-0 & Bournemouth 2-0 but surprisingly, better displays at Liverpool 1-0, Man City 2-0 & recently West Ham 2-2. Chris Hughton had to find a watertight way to prevent flood gates opening on the road and also pop the odd goal or two in up the dry end. A defensive formation of 451 was expected to hold back the tide, while when in attack mode full backs would support wingers and one or two midfielders push up behind the striker. Great in theory but harder to employ if losing the ball and caught out of shape. Chris Hughton didn't have too many squad players injured or otherwise unavailable so had options to start the game and from the bench.
* * * match report: In the event it was same old for Seagulls - a fair display but yet another defeat to a top six team. Bong conceded a penalty around the half hour mark with visitors on the back foot anyway (27min). And just prior to halftime the struggling away team went two down to a hot shot with flair (42min). During the second period Albion woke up to the job in hand to pile on some pressure. Hughton made a double change on the hour and now plenty of players got forward in hope of salvaging a point. Gross then converted a cross by Propper, to set up a frantic finish, before he departed for Kayal. But it all ended in tears as Brighton fans knew it would all along. Hughton said, 'I wasn't disappointed with the performance but angry at the goals conceded. My players deserve credit for the way they came back in the end but we probably lacked enough quality to get back in the game.' The good news was BHA maintained a 7pt gap above the drop zone and it was at least only defeat by one goal which helped with goal difference by remaining in single figures (-7). Many tough away fixtures lay ahead but maybe via each experience on the road, Seagulls could learn enough to take just a few points home in future.
Stats; h-t 2-0, goals 27.42-72, shape 433-451, poss 56%-44%, on target 5-3, off target 9-3, blocks 6-1, crosses 15-23, o/s 1-2, corners 6-5,
tackles 14-16, fouls 11-11, yellows 1-0, subs 3-3 . MoM - Gross . Gate 74,532, away 2512 . Weather - grey & drizzle.
27 Button, 22 Montoya, 4 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 3 Bong, 20 March (11 Knockaert 61), 6 Stephens, 24 Propper, 9 Locadia, 13 Gross (7 Kayal 82),
17 Murray (10 Andone 61) . Subs - 23 Steele, 2 Bruno, 14 Balogun, 42 Gyokeres.
Prem P23 . W5 D3 L3 F15 A12 . W2 D2 L8 F10 A20 . Pt26 Po13 = 1.13pt/gm. Wins = 30.4%, Loss = 47.8%

Season7 FA Cup Q-F (A) 17/2/18 - L 2-0.
A Saturday evening tie against likely PL runners-up was reward for reaching the quarter-final stage of this historic knockout competition. Albion had previously defeated Palace & Coventry at the Amex and in between those ties Middlesboro away, to then go into the draw for the last eight clubs. Chris Hughton had previously fielded a second eleven in each qualifying round but now, would consider all those fit from the 25 man PL squad for possible match-day selection. In the event he reverted to Dunk & Duffy in cent-def but elected to play both Ulloa & Locadia up front in a sort of 433. It was an exceedingly cold night and snow flurries whipped around Old Trafford at kickoff.
* * * match report: Albion were knocked out, despite a reasonable display against a side that did just enough on the night. Two similar goals conceded with headers from deep crosses sealed Seagulls fate (37 & 83min). But visitors were always in the tie until late in the day and better finishing may have given them a chance of extra time, prior to letting in the killer goal. Stats showed the away side worthy of making it a contest, although in truth it was never a classic. A score for Albion would have put an edge to the outcome and who knows what may have happened subsequently. Hughton said, 'we might not have had a lot of possession but you expect that here. We needed to work the keeper more. And have a little bit more quality in the final third.' Ulloa was subbed but Locadia did well and on another occasion woulda hit the net. Final analysis revealed difference was in making & taking chances.
Stats; shape 4231-433, ht 1-0, goals 37,83, poss 61%-39%, on target 2-6, off target 3-5, blocked 3-6, crosses 20-20, corners 5-5, o/s 0-1,
tackles 15-19, f-k 3-8, yellows 0-0, subs 3-2 . Gate 74,241.
26 Krul, 21 Schelotto, 22 Duffy, 5 Dunk (C), 29 Suttner, 7 Kayal, 24 Propper, 13 Gross, 25 Locadia, 16 Ulloa (17 Murray 76),
20 March (19 Izquierdo 68). Bench - Maenpaa, Bruno, Goldson, Baldock, Sanders.

Season7 1st Premier League (A) 25/11/17 - L 1-0.
This was the second of those 'big' away games at a top-six club. It was what Brighton fans wanted to experience in the Prem and ticket sales for trips to such places were registering 'sold out' long before weekend travel plans north of Sussex got researched. Chris Hughton's regular eleven were unbeaten in 5 fixtures and had won their last two on the road. But this was obviously a step up and realistically a tough call to anticipate returning with the point allocated from k-o at nil-nil. In the event Hughton set up as usual with 4411 and had serious options available from the bench.
* * * match report: Predictably Albion lost the match but gave a plucky display to a large audience (Motd at least!) that showed they could compete at this standard. Following a goalless first half United were first to sub in order to try and break deadlock around the hour mark. Murray was booked and then Dunk sliced a pot shot over Ryan as he dove in to defend (66min). Seagulls were unlucky to be behind and put in a spirited response to the death. In a flurry of changes Hemed & Izquierdo arrived simultaneously, Duffy later received a yellow and Brown got on as the clocked ticked thru final moments. But nothing altered, BHA lacked a cutting edge and were beat. Chris Hughton said, 'I'm incredibly disappointed. We deserved to get more. We didn't create too many chances but got into good positions. Mat Ryan made a save but apart from that they didn't get too much.' Brighton fans had a nice afternoon in the Theatre of Dreams and realistically could feel proud of their team despite another defeat to a top six club.
Stats; shape 4231-4141, ht 0-0, goal 66, poss 58%-42%, on target 4-2, off target 7-3, blocks 4-3, crosses 27-17, corners 5-0, o/s 2-1,
tackles 10-22, fouls 9-9, yellows 0-2, subs 3-3 . Gate 75,018 (away 3107).
1 Ryan, 2 Bruno, 22 Duffy, 5 Dunk, 3 Bong, 11 Knockaert, 6 Stephens, 24 Propper, 20 March (19 Izquierdo),
13 Gross (37 Brown), 17 Murray (10 Hemed).
Prem P13 . W4 D4 L5 . F13 A14 . Pt16 Po9 = 1.23pt/gm . Wins = 30.7%, Loss = 38.4%

MAN UTD @ home; Old Trafford.
Seasn . W D L . F A GD . Pt Po pt/gm %Pt . W% L%
24/25 - 1 0 1 . 1 3 -2 . 3 14 = 1.50 100.0 . 50.0 50.0 - Erik ten Hag @ 13/9/24
23/24 - 10 3 6 . 31 28 03 . 33 8 = 1.73 55.0 . 52.6 31.5 - Erik ten Hag
22/23 - 15 3 1 . 36 10 26 . 48 3 = 2.52 64.0 . 78.9 05.2- Erik ten Hag
21/22 - 10 5 4 . 32 22 10 . 35 6 = 1.84 60.3 . 52.6 21.0 - R Rangnick & O G Solskjaer
20/21 - 09 4 6 . 38 28 10 . 31 2 = 1.63 41.8 . 47.3 31.5 - O G Solskjaer
19/20 - 10 7 2 . 40 17 23 . 37 3 = 1.94 56.0 . 52.6 10.5 - O G Solskjaer, finish 27/7/20.
18/19 - 10 6 3 . 33 25 08 . 36 6 = 1.89 54.5 . 52.6 15.7 - Ole Gunnar Solskjaer & Jose Mourinho.
17/18 - 15 2 2 . 38 09 29 . 47 2 = 2.47 58.0 . 78.9 10.5 - Jose Mourinho.
16/17 - 8 10 1 . 26 12 14 . 34 6 = 1.78 49.2 . 42.1 05.2 - Jose Mourinho.
15/16 - 12 5 2 . 27 09 18 . 41 5 = 2.15 62.1 . 42.1 10.5 - Louis van Gaal.
14/15 - 14 2 3 . 41 15 26 . 44 4 = 2.31 62.8 . 73.6 15.7 - Louis van Gaal.
13/14 - 09 3 7 . 29 21 08 . 30 7 = 1.57 46.8 . 47.3 36.8 - David Moyes.

* * * * *

Falmer years, 2011 to 2017 - no visits to Old Trafford.

Withdean era, 1999 to 2011 - no visits.