Brighton 0-3 Manchester United: Player Ratings as Red Devils Book Place in Quarter-Finals of Carabao Cup

Scott McTominay
Man Utd beat Brighton to progress to the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup | Pool/Getty Images

Manchester United picked up their second win within a week against Brighton, knocking the Seagulls out of the Carabao Cup with a 3-0 win at the Amex Stadium on Wednesday evening.

The hosts made a confident start and looked to test Dean Henderson, although the United shot-stopper was a match. The Red Devils were the team to break the deadlock, with Scott McTominay heading in a Juan Mata free kick just before half time.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men doubled their lead with just under 20 minutes remaining. Donny van de Beek produced a delightful flick for Mata, who simply rolled the ball into the corner of the net. And United added a third as Paul Pogba netted a deflected free kick moments later to seal his side’s place in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup.

Let’s get into some player ratings, shall we?

Odion Ighalo, Lewis DunkOdion Ighalo, Lewis Dunk
The defence were found out when United picked up the pace | Pool/Getty Images

Jason Steele (GK) – 5/10 – Didn’t really have much to do, but ended up picking the ball out of his net three times. The life of a goalkeeper, eh?

Ben White (CB) – 5/10– Put in another composed display, stepping out of defence on numerous occasions to start attacks and get his side playing on the front foot, but he did keep McTominay onside for the opening goal.

Lewis Dunk (CB) – 5/10 – Assured in his work at the back, getting tight to Odion Ighalo to stop the striker from getting involved. Unfortunately couldn’t deal with United’s movement when the away side picked up the pace on the attack.

Dan Burn (CB) – 5/10 – Playing as part of the back three, Burn brought balance to the defence. The Seagulls benefited from White and Dunk’s ability to step up on both flanks to create space – but was caught out a few times.

Daniel James, Fred, Pascal GrossDaniel James, Fred, Pascal Gross
Brighton lacked creativity in midfield | Pool/Getty Images

Joel Veltman (RWB) – 6/10 – Looked to get forward and provide width down the right, but never really troubled Brandon Williams.

Jayson Molumby (CM) – 4/10 – Given his chance to shine, but was hooked after failing to make an impression. Kept things ticking over, but that’s about it, really.

Pascal Gross (CM) – 6/10 – A quiet evening for the usually creative Gross. Deployed slightly deeper, he wasn’t able to have the same impact going forward.

Bernardo (LWB) – 5/10 – Like Veltman, Graham Potter will have been keen to see Bernardo attack Diogo Dalot – but never really tested the Portuguese.

Alireza JahanbakhshAlireza Jahanbakhsh
Brighton didn’t really create too many openings | Pool/Getty Images

Alireza Jahanbakhsh (RW) – 7/10 – Worked hard all evening, constantly pressing and harrying when out of possession. Made a number of intelligent runs when his side had the ball, picking up clever positions and looking to drive at the United defence.

Viktor Gyökeres (ST) – 4/10 – Once again given the chance to shine in the Carabao Cup, but the forward struggled to really get involved. Worked hard to make things happen, but was kept quiet by the Red Devils’ centre-backs.

Alexis Mac Allister (LW) – 6/10 – Like Jahanbakhsh, Mac Allister was able to find some clever pockets of space – but the end product let the attack down.

FBL-ENG-LCUP-BRIGHTON-MAN UTDFBL-ENG-LCUP-BRIGHTON-MAN UTD
Potter’s substitutes did not have the desired impact | MATT DUNHAM/Getty Images

Neal Maupay – 5/10

Leandro Trossard – 5/10

Max Sanders – N/A

FBL-ENG-LCUP-BRIGHTON-MAN UTDFBL-ENG-LCUP-BRIGHTON-MAN UTD
Bailly put in an assured display | ANDY RAIN/Getty Images

Dean Henderson (GK) – 8/10 – Given another opportunity to impress and Henderson took it. He’s made it clear he wants to challenge David de Gea, and he will continue to get opportunities to do so with confident performances like this.

Diogo Dalot (RB) – 7/10 – A rare start for Dalot, the Portuguese put in a solid performance at right-back, largely nullifying the Seagulls’ threat down their left. His long-term future at the club remains in doubt, but his display against Brighton will have been a confidence-booster.

Eric Bailly (CB) – 7/10 – Kept Brighton’s attack quiet for large parts of the game and put in a number of typical ‘Eric Bailly’ challenges when necessary. Bailly could well be a very suitable partner for Harry Maguire…if he can maintain fitness.

Victor Lindelof (CB) – 6/10 – Shifted over to the left to accommodate for Bailly, but was assured in his work. Marshalled the defence well.

Brandon Williams (LB) – 6/10 – A relatively quiet evening for the defender, but dealt well with the penetrating runs made by Jahanbakhsh.

Scott McTominayScott McTominay
McTominay opened the scoring for Man Utd | Pool/Getty Images

Fred (CM) – 6/10 – Put in another energetic display, but struggled to really break the lines when on the ball and bring the attackers into the game.

Scott McTominay (CM) – 7/10 – Grabbed his first goal of the season with a wonderful header at a crucial time. Put in another typically tireless display, working hard to close down his opponents and overturn possession.

Donny van de Beek (CAM) – 7/10 – Picked up clever positions throughout the contest, picking up pockets of space and linking play well. Showed his class with a lovely flick for the second goal.

Juan MataJuan Mata
Mata shone for Man Utd | Pool/Getty Images

Juan Mata (RW) – 8/10 – Was quiet at points during the game, but showed his class whenever given the opportunity. Produced a lovely cross for the opening goal and United looked most dangerous when attacks went through him. Great finish, too.

Daniel James (LW) – 6/10 – Seemingly more comfortable on the left, James made a number of dangerous runs to get in behind the Brighton defence – but was left frustrated as his runs were often unspotted.

Odion Ighalo (ST) – 5/10 – Was often left isolated up front and didn’t really make much of an impact before being substituted.

FBL-ENG-LCUP-BRIGHTON-MAN UTDFBL-ENG-LCUP-BRIGHTON-MAN UTD
Solskjaer’s substitutes made a real difference | MATT DUNHAM/Getty Images

Paul Pogba – 7/10

Marcus Rashford – 6/10

Jesse Lingard – 6/10

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