Football news - Rashford makes it seven in a row for nervy Manchester United against Brighton

Marcus Rashford’s fourth goal in four games on his 150th appearance for Manchester United earned his side a 2-1 win over Brighton.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer made just one enforced change to his team after Luke Shaw was taken ill in the warm-up, with Diogo Dalot coming in. The consistency in team selection may have resulted in some late fatigue, though, despite the end result.

United took the lead just before the half-hour mark when Paul Pogba was fouled in the box, and used his trademark stuttered run-up before dispatching the penalty himself. Shortly before half-time a wonderful solo goal from Rashford saw him arc a shot from a tight angle into the top corner to double the home side’s lead.

However, with 20 minutes remaining, Pascal Gross gave the Seagulls a lifeline, chesting down a cross before flicking the ball to the top corner from close range to raise the tension inside Old Trafford.

United held on, though, to lift themselves to fifth place in the Premier League table, with Arsenal and Chelsea facing each other later on Saturday evening. The win was Solskjaer's seventh in a row as United manager, and his sixth successive league win - something no new United manager has ever achieved before.

At half-time, it seemed to be a question of how many United would score by the full-time whistle. Yet they dragged themselves over the line to three points. It was as if the Old Trafford side ran out of steam in the second half, allowing Brighton back into the game. It was a similar story against Spurs last week, so Solskjaer should be concerned by this trend that is developing and might be thinking about tweaking his team to rest some tired legs for the FA Cup match against Arsenal on Friday.

The 21-year-old is in the form of his life. Rashford has scored four goals in his last four games, becoming Man Utd’s first choice centre forward under Solskjaer. Indeed, he has now started 10 games in a row, his best starting run as a United player, and this was a demonstration of what he offers. Rashford could have had a hat trick in the first half. He might have had a hat-trick of assists too. Everything Man Utd did well came through him.

Manchester United: De Gea 6, Young 6, Dalot 7, Jones 5, Lindelof 6, Pogba 7, Matic 5, Lingard 5, Herrera 6, Rashford 8, Martial 6. Subs: Lukaku 5, Mata 5, Darmian.

Brighton: Button 5, Bong 5, Duffy 7, Dunk 7, Stephens 5, Locadia 6, Gross 7, Murray 5, March 6, Montoya 5, Propper 6. Subs: Andone 5, Knockaert 5, Kayal 5.

19’ Rashford blocked! The first clear-cut chance of the match. Young cut the ball back to Rashford from the right, he struck the shot towards goal, but Duffy was back to clear off the line!

25’ PENALTY KICK TO MANCHESTER UNITED! Propper's tackle felled Pogba inside the box and the referee points to the spot.

27’ GOAL! Manchester United 1-0 Brighton: There's the opener for Manchester United and it's Pogba who has netted it! It was a good penalty from the French midfielder, finding the corner of the net with a side-footed finish. There was no way Button was getting there.

34’ Martial was through! Lindelof picked out the run of the French winger with an exceptional ball in behind, but Button was quickly off his line to make the save and keep it 1-0.

36’ What a chance! That might have been the equaliser for Brighton. Murray was through, the angle was tight, but he lashes his strike well wide. He should have tested De Gea at least.

42’ GOAL! Manchester United 2-0 Brighton: Oh what a goal that is! It's Rashford, who now has four in four! There didn't look to be much on when he received the ball close to the byline, but he cut inside and curled a right-footed strike into the far corner. Brilliant.

54’ Lingard should score! What a cross that was from Rashford. It was a whipped delivery to the back post, but somehow Lingard managed to put it wide of the target. That should be three.

58’ Martial... over! That would have been a stunning goal from the French winger. He dropped his shoulder, jinked past two defenders, but then fires just over the Brighton crossbar.

72’ GOAL! Manchester United 2-1 Brighton: Well, that's the lifeline that Brighton had been looking for. Gross chests down from Propper's cross into the area and sends the ball into the top corner of the net. The Seagulls have found a way back into the match! Game on.

Marcus Rashford has now scored eight Premier League goals in a single season for the first time in his career.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is now the first ever Manchester United manager to win his first six league games in charge of the club.