MANCHESTER UNITED produced a rousing comeback to beat Brentford at Old Trafford.
Goals by Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund cancelled out Ethan Pinnock’s first-half opener.
The Red Devils’ win will ease pressure on beleaguered boss Erik ten Hag, who this week defiantly blasted reports that he is on the verge of the sack.
On a crucial afternoon for Ten Hag and Co, here’s how SunSport rated each United performer.
Did not have much to do for a lot of the game but pulled out a good first-half save to deny Christian Norgaard.
Good display from right-back and almost capped it with a goal when he stormed forward only to have his effort beaten away by Mark Flekken.
At the centre of the controversy in first-half injury time as he had to leave the field with a bleeding head wound and from a corner Brentford scored. He was already looking suspect as was the bandage that was put on his head early in the game in the first place.
Continuing an amazing end to his career at Old Trafford. Man of the match last time out in the goalless draw at Aston Villa and looked solid again. Great ovation when he came off towards the end.
Shifted to an unaccustomed left-back spot but without problems and was particularly good getting forward down the flank.
Chosen alongside Casemiro instead of new buy Manuel Ugarte who was on the bench again, but struggled to get into this game although he was involved for Hojlund’s goal. Thankful for the referee’s whistle in the first period calling play back for a foul after missing a sitter.
BEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERS
Looked like he was off in the summer but back in the team although looking to be missing a yard and often beaten to the ball.
Does not operate as well on the right but Garnacho was so good down the left. Highlight of his first half was an incredible crossfield ball from right to left to set up Garnacho. Then in the second he provided the assist for Garnacho’s leveller.
Tried to orchestrate something from midfield but looked a frustrated figure in the first period. Then he showed his class after the break with that great little flick to set up Hojlund for his goal.
Had an all action first half after switching from the right to the left but wasted too many chances. Made up for it in the second with a fine finish from Rashford’s cross in a man of the match performance.
After getting one in Porto to open his season’s account he is now off and running with his first league goal of the campaign. A cool, clever chipped little finish it was too. The hope will be that starts a much needed run of goals but he needs to see more of the ball.
Joshua Zirkzee (for Hojlund, 74) – 5
Strange change to make after Hojlund had just scored. His replacement fluffed the one half chance he had.
Victor Lindelof (for Evans, 89) – 6
A change that largely gave the fans a chance to acclaim Evans’ performance.
Manuel Ugarte (for Casemiro, 88) – 6
A change that probably should have come earlier.
Noussair Mazraoui (for Garnacho, 90+1) – 6
Back after a heart procedure for a few late minutes.
ANTHONY GORDON got the drinks in but it was the vintage Danny Welbeck celebrating victory from the medical room.
The ex-Arsenal star was carried off receiving oxygen for the pain with a bad back after securing the points for Brighton against a toothless Newcastle.
Seagulls boss Fabian Hurzeler, two years the striker’s junior, will be praying the blow inflicted by Fabian Schar’s knee is not as serious as first feared.
Welbeck put the dampeners on Gordon’s Toon party to inflict a first home defeat of the season on the Magpies.
He only managed five goals in the entirety of last season – but this was his fifth already this term as he continued the form of his life.
And it was enough to call last orders on Newcastle’s incredible 280-day unbeaten St James’ run.
The day started with pints flowing in the nearby Strawberry pub after Gordon put money behind the bar as a thank you to fans for their support after his penalty miss at Everton.
And it looked like they would be getting sunk well into the night as he and Newcastle started strong.
Lewis Hall wanted a penalty in the opening stages after he ran at Jack Hinshelwood, who then slipped inside his box and ended up touching the ball with his hand while grounded.
The ref deemed it an accident, and the VAR team soon confirmed that they felt the same way, much to the relief of the visitors.
FOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS
Brighton’s one attempt at a breakaway was stopped in its tracks before they had even gone over half way, Dan Burn going into the book for yanking back his ex-Seagulls team-mate Welbeck.
Gordon then got his first gallop, beating two men and pulling back for Alexander Isak, only the Swede’s strike smashed into his own player Jacob Murphy and wide.
Brighton could not get out from their 18-yard line, and nerves looked to be jangling as Burn headed into the side-netting before the game changed dramatically within two minutes.
Isak beat the offside trap to meet Bruno Guimaraes’ beautifully defence-splitting pass.
He only had Verbruggen to beat, but the Dutch stopper stood tall to deny the usually lethal forward with his feet.
It was a big miss – and within seconds Newcastle were punished as Brighton scored with their first shot.
The golden oldie made it look so simple, chesting down Lewis Dunk’s long free-kick forward, playing a one-two with Georginio Rutter before holding off Tino Livramento and Hall to poke home.
Gordon tried to fizz as Verbruggen palmed away a curling effort before he headed one over after the break.
The goalie denied Isak twice, one right-handed after a slight deflection, inbetween saving a Joelinton strike as frustration began to mount around St. James’.
Jeers met the decision to bring off Tonali, who was replaced by Joe Willock, but things could have turned toxic if Burn had not bravely blocked Ferdi Kadioglu’s volley.
Gordon then ensured it was a flat-ending as he was sent clean through by Schar’s long-ball, but instead of taking it on, he opted to shoot early and it was straight at Verbruggen.
Then the sad moment with Welbeck came, the former England international falling to the turf clutching lower back after going up for a header with Schar.
He received a standing ovation from both fans as he was carried off on a stretcher.
But there were no cheers at the full-time whistle, which arrived with Verbruggen coming through a sea of bodies to collect a corner.
ADAM AZIM is back in action facing one of the toughest tests of his young career.
The Assassin will face the tough Ohara Davies on a stacked card at the Copper Box that also includes the return of Anthony Yarde.
Dan Azeez also faces Lewis Edmondson for the British light-heavyweight title, while Michael McKinson and Tulani Mbenge scrap for the vacant IBO welterweight title.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Follow our live blog below…
ANTHONY YARDE is back in action as he keeps busy ahead of some potential mega-fights in 2025.
The Beast from the East, 33, is facing Latvian champ Ralfs Vilcans – who comes to the ring with a decent record of 17-1 but is fighting outside of Latvia for only the fourth time.
Yarde, who pushed light-heavyweight king Artur Beterbiev hard in 2023, will be hoping to keep sharp and in shape ahead of potential world title bouts late next year.
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Follow our live blog below…
DANNY Welbeck has been stretchered off after suffering a back injury against Newcastle.
The Brighton star required oxygen after falling to the turf during Saturday’s game at St James Park.
Welbeck opened the scoring as the Seagulls targeted back-to-back league wins.
But his day was cut short after an incident in the 77th minute.
The former Arsenal star fell to the floor following an innocuous coming together with Toon centre-back Fabian Schar.
He appeared to tweak something in his back, hitting the deck before calling for medical staff.
Welbeck required oxygen as he was stretchered from the field, with Jan Paul van Hecke replacing him.
The 33-year-old has been enjoying a stunning start to the new campaign.
He has already netted as many goals in the league this season as he managed in the entire of last term.
After his strike on Saturday, Welbeck now has five goals – as many as he managed in 29 league games in 2023/24.
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
The Sun is your go to destination for the best football, boxing and MMA news, real-life stories, jaw-dropping pictures and must-see video.Like us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFootball and follow us from our main Twitter account at @TheSunFootball.
MICHAEL Schumacher’s most successful and final F1 Ferrari is set to sell for a whopping £11.5million.
The 220mph 2006 Ferrari 248 F1 was driven by the legendary racer in his last season with the manufacturer.
During this campaign, Schumacher had five Grand Prix victories and made eight podiums.
The wins featured at the San Marino, European, US, French, and German Grands Prix.
The motor was one of the 55-year-old’s most successful rides during his time with Scuderia Ferrari.
The car was also Ferrari’s first V8-powered F1 vehicle since 1964, after engine regulations were brought into the 2006 season.
Not only does the vehicle boast an impressive number of accolades, but it was also the vehicle Schumacher surpassed Ayrton Senna’s pole position record.
The history-making motor was purchased directly from Ferrari in 2007 by the current owner.
The vehicle is not only a vital piece of F1 history it is also a cornerstone of Schumacher’s legacy.
The car is now heading under the hammer, with bidding ending on 19 November.
It will also be displayed in New York City from November 8 to 20.
Shelby Myers, head of private Sales at RM Sotheby’s, stated: “In the world of motorsport, Michael Schumacher’s name is accurately used to define the pinnacle of racing—synonymous with greatness, which we often hear referenced.
“There are, however, cars that Schumacher drove and perhaps won a race or two in, and then there are the few cars that truly define his legacy, such as chassis 254.
“When we peel back the layers, very rarely does a Schumacher-era car carry as much weight as this one.
“My professional acumen involves determining what some of the world’s truly great cars are, especially those which we believe will be among the most important of all time for generations to come.
“There is no question that we consider the competition variants of any manufacturer the most sought-after.
“This has been true for every era of car collecting.
“As we triangulate what truly defines greatness, intrinsic characteristics such as manufacturer brand equity, astonishing aesthetic beauty, associated racing drivers, absolute rarity, significant ownership provenance, and so forth all factor into the equation.
“Perhaps the single most important defining characteristic among these elite competition cars is their racing record.
“Chassis 254 is at the very top of the pyramid.
“Never before has anything carrying the Schumacher name come to public sale with more wins or podium finishes.
“In fact, there is only one other chassis with more wins than chassis 254.
“In his last season with Ferrari, this car defined the legacy of perhaps the greatest driver in history, competing with one of the most storied automotive brands of all time.
“It truly does not get better.”
Schumacher suffered a severe brain injury in a skiing accident in 2013.
He now lives a private life in Switzerland, as reported on Luxury Auto News.
