MX23RW : Thursday, April 25 13:57:59| >> :60:1185:1185:
[monks data]
Manchester United logo
Premier League | Gameweek 30
Apr 4, 2021 at 7.30pm UK
Old Trafford
Brighton logo

Man Utd
2 - 1
Brighton

Rashford (62'), Greenwood (83')
Cavani (63'), Greenwood (89')
FT(HT: 0-1)
Welbeck (13')
Gross (42'), White (66')

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lavishes praise on Mason Greenwood

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer lavishes praise on Mason Greenwood
© Reuters
The young forward scored the winner as Manchester United rallied from behind to beat Brighton at Old Trafford.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was as delighted by Manchester United's character against Brighton as the manner of Mason Greenwood's scrappy winner as the teenager showed "another dimension to his game".

The Red Devils' first Premier League match in three weeks got off to a poor start as Danny Welbeck scored an early opener against his former club.

United were lucky not to be further behind at the break as Brighton eyed a first ever victory at Old Trafford.

But Solskjaer's side rallied impressively after half-time, with a fine Marcus Rashford finish complemented by 19-year-old Greenwood wrapping up a 2-1 win with a diving header.

"We've done that a few times this season, haven't we? We're getting used to it," Solskjaer said after his side won an eighth Premier League match in which they conceded first.

"You don't really want to be in those positions, 1-0 down.

"It was a sloppy mistake in midfield, we don't stop the cross, we don't defend the cross, so we gave ourselves work to do.

"I think we've done that so many times this season that the team doesn't panic.

"We know we have to build momentum, the ball has to move quicker, we have to move more in tandem with each other.

"The two goals we scored were good goals and we deserved to win the game in the end I felt."

Asked if the scrappy winner was his favourite goal by Greenwood to date, former striker Solskjaer said: "Yeah, definitely, so happy for him.

"Pleased with his overall performance again very good. He was bright, tidy, clean on the ball, hit the post and one that went over the bar, maybe deflected, in the second half.

"When he gets those goals, we know that he's going to add another dimension to his game. Very, very pleased."

Greenwood's role could be increased in the coming weeks with Rashford limping off with a foot issue on Sunday and Anthony Martial potentially ruled out for the remainder of the season with a knee injury.

Solskjaer revealed Eric Bailly tested positive for Covid-19 on international duty and has not yet returned to England, ruling him out Thursday's Europa League quarter-final against Granada.

But the United boss gave little away when asked if David De Gea would get the nod for the first leg after Dean Henderson was selected against Brighton on Sunday.

"With Dean and David's situation, I know it's something that will create headlines and fish and chip wrapping paper in a little while," Solskjaer said.

"But I've got two great goalkeepers and it's about now to find games that both of them will play – not the same game of course.

"Both of them deserve to play more than what they do and it's just a decision I have to make every time."

Meanwhile, Brighton boss Graham Potter was disappointed to return to the south coast empty-handed.

"I think you have to take positives from lots of things about the performance," he said. "I thought the first half we were really good, carried a threat, we had opportunities on the ball and defended well.

"Mixed it up between defending high and defending low when we had to because Manchester United have some quality and drive you back, but I don't think they created too many chances.

"Second half I thought we missed a few options to attack ourselves and got driven back a little more than we'd like.

"When the home team's 1-0 down and have got the quality they have, you expect that to a certain extent but without creating too many chances a couple of shots from distance but nothing too much.

"Big moment with the penalty with Danny that wasn't given but in the end it's a couple of moments of quality from United that turned the game.

"I didn't think there was that much in it, maybe a point would be right but, yeah, that's life."

Pushed on Harry Maguire's second-half challenge on Welbeck that was checked by the video assistant referee, Potter said: "I was a little surprised it wasn't given live because it felt like a penalty and when I watched it back I think it looks like a penalty.

"But once it doesn't get given, you can understand why VAR don't overrule it.

"I think if Mike Dean had given it, I don't think VAR would have overruled it. It is what it is."

ID:441894: cacheID:441894:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:6061:No Data Analysis info
Restore Data
Share this article now:
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal34245582265677
2Liverpool34228475344174
3Manchester CityMan City32227376324473
4Aston Villa34206871502166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs32186865491660
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd33165125150153
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle331551369541550
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham34139125463-948
9Chelsea32138116157447
10Bournemouth34129134960-1145
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton321111105250244
12Wolverhampton WanderersWolves34127154654-843
13Fulham34126165054-442
14Crystal Palace34109154456-1239
15Brentford3498175259-735
16Everton34118153648-1233
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3479184260-1826
18Luton TownLuton3467214775-2825
19Burnley3458213769-3223
20Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd3437243392-5916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!