Ashley Young’s deflected strike was Manchester United’s only goal against Brighton at Old Trafford as they struggled to a 1-0 win.
The ball came off Lewis Dunk and was deflected beyond goalkeeper Mathew Ryan who had been in fantastic form all through the game.
United’s goal came after a controversial corner kick was awarded to United after Romelu Lukaku and Solly March tussled for the ball.
The ball however went off Lukaku.
Brighton had been the better team up until Young’s attempt from the edge of the area hit Lewis Dunk before looping over keeper Mat Ryan and into the net.
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Earlier, Anthony Knockaert and Pascal Gross both went close after getting behind the United defence.
Ryan produced a double save to keep out Romelu Lukaku’s header and Paul Pogba’s follow-up on the stroke of half-time.
United’s win cuts Manchester City’s lead at the top of the Premier League table to five points ahead of their trip to Huddersfield on Sunday.
Slice of fortune seals it for United
Jose Mourinho offered Brighton boss Chris Hughton a hug at the final whistle – the United manager clearly relieved to have won a match despite a far from vintage display.
It required a huge slice of luck to finally breach the Seagulls defence in a scrappy game – Young’s shot deflected into the net off Dunk.
Young, who has not scored since May 2016, celebrated wildly. The dubious goals panel could yet rule in the former Aston Villa’s player’s favour.
United are now unbeaten at Old Trafford in 39 league and cup games – their last home defeat coming against Manchester City on 10 September 2016.
City are the next Premier League visitors to Old Trafford on 10 December and Mourinho knows his side will have to produce a better performance than this to beat their title rivals.
Lukaku looked flat throughout and now has one goal in his past nine games while Paul Pogba was unable to have as much influence as he enjoyed the previous week against Newcastle.
This will go down as an ugly win but Mourinho and his players will not care if they are top of the table come next May.
Positives for Hughton in defeat
Brighton failed to score or win any of their first three league games.
Yet they showed on their first league visit to Old Trafford since 1983 that they have since found their feet at this level.
Having lost 2-0 earlier in the season to Manchester City and Arsenal, the Seagulls will treat this latest defeat against one the big Premier League heavyweights as another lesson in their first season at this level for 34 years.
They were well-organised, hard-working and deserved something from the game.
Gross was a constant menace while Bruno caused problems with his pace.
Even when United did get behind Brighton’s defence, they found Ryan in fine form – his double save at the end of the first half added to the home team’s frustration.
