Lucky Manchester United scrape controversial win over Brighton

Manchester United laboured to a 1-0 win over Brighton after a controversial own goal from Lewis Dunk.

Jose Mourinho’s side created few clear-cut chances in the first half despite starting with Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Juan Mata to support Romelu Lukaku.

And the home side, who were without the injured Eric Bailly and Phil Jones, brought on Zlatan Ibrahimovic on the hour mark to inject some creativity.

The Swede lifted his side’s performance and they took the lead from a disputed corner with Ashley Young’s long-range strike hitting Dunk and soaring over Seagulls keeper Matthew Ryan.

Brighton were livid, believing the corner that led to the goal should not have been awarded, and that Lukaku fouled a defender in the build-up.

With Manchester City entering thwe weekend eight points clear at the top of the Premier League, every game feels like a must-win for United even at this early stage. Their slice of luck helped them maintain pressure on City, even if their performance will have caused few fears across Manchester.

It looked debatable whether it was a corner as it was unclear if Solly March or Romelu Lukaku got the final touch of the ball. And the Belgian was fortunate to have escaped after appearing to commit a foul in the build-up to Ashley Young’s strike.

Matthew Ryan (Brighton): The Australian goalkeeper commanded his box well and produced a fantastic double save to deny Romelu Lukaku and Paul Pogba. He could have done little to stop United’s deflected goal.

MANCHESTER UNITED: De Gea 5, Valencia 5, Lindelof 6, Smalling 5, Young 7, Matic 5, Pogba 6, Mata 4, Rashford 6, Martial 5, Lukaku 5. Subs: Ibrahimovic 6, Fellaini n/a, Mkhitaryan n/a

BRIGHTON AND HOVE ALBION: Ryan 8, Bruno 6, Dunk 6, Duffy 5, Bong 6, Knockaert 7, Stephens 5, Propper 6, March 6, Gross 6, Murray 6. Subs: Izquierdo n/a, Hemed n/a, Brown n/a

3’ - CHANCE! Lukaku trades passes with Martial before blazing well over from the edge of the box, that was a disappointing effort from the Belgian who returned to scoring ways against Newcastle last weekend.

44’ - CLOSE! United have a corner after Rashford's cross is punched away and March puts it behind. From Rashford’s corner, Ryan pulls off a double save to deny Lukaku's header and block Pogba's effort from two yards out.

66’ -GOAL FOR UNITED! Lukaku wins a corner after tussling with March. Rashford's cross is cleared, it falls to Young from the edge of the area whose deflected effort loops into the top corner.

86’ -CLOSE! Brighton have a free-kick in a good position down the left. Its a good delivery from Knockaert and Duffy's header goes wide from close range, he should have done better from there.

89’ -CHANCE! Zlatan trades passes with Pogba before lashing in a low effort from the edge of the box that goes wide.

Lewis Dunk is the first player in Premier League history to score an own goal against Manchester City and Manchester United in the same season.

Manchester United have won eight consecutive league games at Old Trafford, their longest run since a 12-match streak under Sir Alex Ferguson in March 2013.