Manchester United Aim to Break Brighton Curse at Old Trafford After Liverpool Triumph

Manchester United’s dramatic win at Anfield marked a major turning point for Ruben Amorim’s side. This win a statement victory that reminded everyone of what this team can achieve when everything clicks. For the first time since May 2024, United managed back-to-back wins, and even more impressively, Amorim became the first United manager to win at Anfield since 2016.

Coming off a 2-0 victory over Sunderland before the international break, this recent run feels especially meaningful. That Sunderland match was seen as a big test after the disheartening loss to Brentford a week earlier, but United responded with control and confidence. They deserve real credit for steadying the ship after what could have easily become a disastrous few weeks that fueled doubts over Amorim’s future.

After speaking with several players, including Diogo Dalot and Senne Lammens, the sense of optimism within the camp is clear. They believe this might be the beginning of something, the spark that finally gets United’s season moving in the right direction. But to prove that belief is justified, United must now conquer one of their biggest modern-day bogey teams: Brighton & Hove Albion.

Brighton’s Surprising Dominance Over United

Every now and then, a matchup throws up a baffling record, and United versus Brighton is one of them. While it’s easy to recall that Brighton won both meetings last season, it’s far more shocking to realize they’ve beaten United in six of their last seven encounters. No other team has managed to frustrate and outplay the Red Devils as consistently as Brighton since 2022.

In Amorim’s only game in charge against the Seagulls, United were undone by a combination of defensive errors and direct long balls. That game exposed the fragility of United’s backline at the time, with goalkeeper Andre Onana’s mistake compounding their misery. Onana has since gone out on loan to Turkey, while new signing Senne Lammens has stepped up brilliantly, offering stability and composure between the posts.

Under Lammens, United have shown resilience in key games, producing strong defensive performances against the likes of Chelsea, Liverpool, and Burnley. But facing Brighton’s relentless, possession-heavy style will test them in new ways. The Seagulls thrive on fast transitions and clever movement, something United have yet to handle comfortably at Old Trafford this season, apart from the opening-day draw with Arsenal.

A subplot to watch will be the performance of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba. He was influential, albeit inconsistent, in last season’s win at Old Trafford, even conceding a penalty. United showed interest in signing him during the summer transfer window, so this rematch carries extra intrigue as Baleba continues to regain form.

United’s Mid-Table Struggles

Despite Amorim’s tactical progress, United’s Premier League record under his tenure remains mixed. Out of 11 total league wins, only four have come against top-tier opposition. The rest largely came against promoted sides or struggling teams fighting relegation, with the notable exception of an away win at Fulham.

This inconsistency highlights one of United’s ongoing challenges, where they tend to rise for the big occasions but struggle to dominate teams in the middle of the table. With fixtures against Aston Villa and Tottenham still weeks away, United’s upcoming run features mostly mid-table opponents. These are the very games that have repeatedly derailed their momentum.

In the past 12 months, matches like these have often produced flat performances and dropped points, leaving fans frustrated. Now, however, this stretch could define United’s season. Both Amorim and his players have talked about building rhythm and putting last season’s troubles behind them. This sequence of fixtures represents their first real opportunity to back up those words with consistent results.

Selection Dilemmas for Amorim

Heading into the Brighton clash, Amorim faces several intriguing lineup decisions. His team selection against Liverpool differed from the one that beat Sunderland, most notably in the choice of striker. Matheus Cunha led the line superbly at Anfield, holding up play and linking with midfielders, while Benjamin Šeško had impressed in the previous match, scoring his first goal at Old Trafford. Amorim must now decide whether to reward Cunha’s all-around display or give Šeško another chance to build confidence.

On the right flank, the combination of Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo has been one of United’s bright spots this season. Their chemistry has added pace and creativity, so Amorim may be tempted to stick with them. In defense, the big question is whether Harry Maguire keeps his place after his heroic performance at Anfield. The veteran was immense in that match, but with Brighton’s speed in behind, Amorim might consider bringing in Leny Yoro for more mobility.

Amorim’s tactical calls in recent games have been spot-on, both in setup and in-game adjustments. His ability to adapt has been crucial in stabilizing the team after a rocky start. The upcoming fixture is not just another test for United, it’s also a chance for the manager to further prove his growing command over the squad and silence any lingering doubts about his leadership.

Building Belief and Respect

Should United manage to defeat Brighton, it would be more than just another league win. It would symbolize a psychological breakthrough, overcoming a side that has repeatedly outthought and outfought them. Success here would give the players renewed confidence and perhaps even restore a bit of fear factor around Old Trafford.

More importantly, consecutive wins against two historically tricky opponents,  Liverpool and Brighton, would validate Amorim’s approach and help him earn wider respect across English football. It could also signal to the media, pundits, and even rivals that this version of Manchester United is finally starting to find consistency and identity.

The next few weeks will tell whether the Liverpool victory was the beginning of a true resurgence or just another fleeting high. But for now, United have the momentum, the morale, and the opportunity to rewrite the narrative. If they can finally conquer Brighton, the path to a stronger, more confident season might just open up before them.