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Manchester United catapulted themselves into the top four places with Sir Jim Ratcliffe watching on at Old Trafford after a 4-2 win over Brighton.
While Brighton rallied at the end, getting on the scoresheet through former United striker Danny Welbeck's stunning free-kick, this was a crucial win for Ruben Amorim's side, who have now won three games in a row.
Daily Mail Sport's NATHAN SALT was at Old Trafford to run the rule over United's players...
Manchester United won a third game in a row to fire themselves temporarily into the top four
MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-2-1)
Senne Lammens - 7
It is not a coincidence that Manchester United have looked a more composed side, particularly at the back, since Lammens came into the side versus Sunderland. His coolness has been infectious and a couple of smart early saves and claims from crosses set the tone. Could do absolutely nothing about Danny Welbeck's superb free-kick.
Leny Yoro - 6.5
Back into the side in place of the injured Harry Maguire, the young Frenchman barely missed a beat. When he first arrived he often struggled without consistency and regular minutes so it's testament to his growth that he can now be a plug-and-play player.
Matthjis de Ligt - 6
Got away with it when he jumped in on Danny Welbeck and Brighton broke away at 0-0. They should have scored through Yankuba Minteh but didn't. He regained his assuredness thereafter as United ground out a win. Cannot pin either goal on him.
Matthjis de Ligt was bold on the ball, but was fortunate to get away with a mistimed jump early
Luke Shaw - 7
There were so many good performances at Anfield last week that Luke Shaw's brilliant display sort of fell by the wayside. Lisandro Martinez will be back in the coming weeks but Shaw will put up a fight to keep the shirt.
Has shown he's got more athleticism in the tank to get up and down the pitch than people give him credit for. It was his assist that teed up Casemiro.
Amad - 7
Was in the spotlight after he was denied what appeared a stonewall penalty when fouled by De Kuyper, who VAR adjudged to have played the ball. Had his hands full defensively with Minteh a real threat in the first half particularly. His partnership down the right with Mbeumo is the best wing play tandem in the league.
Casemiro - 8
It was noticeable that both of United's worst performances of the season - away to Manchester City and away to Brentford - came without Casemiro in the starting line-up. Yes, he has flaws, but when he's got runners around him, as he does right now, he's a massive asset to Ruben Amorim.
He got the assist for Matheus Cunha's opener and then drilled in the second with the help of a deflection. Standing ovation when he came off which spoke volumes.
Casemiro's goal and assist was key to the victory as Ruben Amorim showed his appreciation
Bruno Fernandes - 7
Unlucky not to mark his 300th appearance with a goal just 46 seconds in when he headed over. It's actually a massive positive that he doesn't have to play hero ball and cover every single blade of grass these days. He's still offering so much in the press to help Casemiro but this was a disciplined display that showed his growth in the deeper role.
Diogo Dalot - 6
Got caught out in the same move that was kickstarted by a De Ligt mistake. Made up for that with his incisive, fizzing pass into Benjamin Sesko was key in the start of the build-up to the third goal. Was worthy of his start ahead of Patrick Dorgu, who looked erratic when he came on.
Bryan Mbeumo - 9
Back to back games on the scoresheet and it's no more than his performances have deserved. As good as Mbeumo has been, it's going to make it even more painful for Amorim and United when he heads off to the Africa Cup of Nations. He's arguably the most integral cog to this team functioning as it needs to to win games. Two goals and an undisputed MOTM.
Matheus Cunha - 8
Won the biggest cheer of the day when scoring his first Manchester United goal to make it 1-0. He's had to take a fair amount of criticism on the chin with the goals not flowing prior to this contest, but this was a top display full of boundless running. Brilliant finish after being teed up by Brazilian compatriot Casemiro.
Both Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo got on the scoresheet on a big day for the signings
Benjamin Sesko - 7
Started slow but soon picked up momentum. There will clearly be games where Amorim will adopt a more fluid front three, just as he did at Liverpool, but Sesko's link-up play is still a huge weapon going forward. Missed a golden opportunity to score in the first half but managed to blank that out of his mind in time to assist Mbeumo in the second. Booked.
MANAGER: Ruben Amorim - 8
Beat a Sunderland team that have been one of the stories of the season so far, went to Anfield and turned Liverpool over, and now masterminded a third win in a row over bogey side Brighton. If he feels a touch bit smug at his system working well amid all the noise over his job recently, he’d have every right.
SUBS
Ayden Heaven (for Luke Shaw, 65) - 6
Patrick Dorgu (for Amad, 70) - 4
Kobbie Mainoo (for Casemiro, 70) - 5.5
Manuel Ugarte (for Matheus Cunha, 81)
Joshua Zirkzee (for Benjamin Sesko, 82)
Brighton (4-2-3-1): Verbruggen 6; Wieffer 6, Dunk 6, Van Hecke 5.5, De Cuyper 5 (Watson 59, 6.5); Baleba 5.5 (Milner 59, 6), Ayari 5 (Gomez 60, 6); Minteh 7, Georginio 5.5, Kadioglu 7; Welbeck 7.5.
Booked: Baleba
Referee: Anthony Taylor - 4.5
