Our DNA was key to beating Manchester United — De Zerbi

Brighton secured a resounding 3-1 win against Manchester United on Saturday, leaving fans and pundits buzzing.

Manager Roberto De Zerbi attributed their triumph to their possession-based style, which proved instrumental in their success at Old Trafford.

The Seagulls’ scintillating performance saw goals from Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross, and Joao Pedro, as they outplayed the Red Devils in a match that left United reeling.

United had started the game with zest, but their momentum was stifled when VAR intervened to rule out a Marcus Rashford equalizer just before halftime. The decision hinged on Rashford’s dribble, which was deemed to have crossed the touchline.

De Zerbi, delighted with his team’s performance, commended his players for their unwavering commitment to their game plan against a formidable opponent.

“We played a great, great game. We deserved to win, we played well,” he declared after the match.

The manager acknowledged that the opening 15 to 20 minutes had been challenging as United adopted a different strategy than anticipated.

However, he noted that Brighton’s fortunes changed when they managed to assert control over possession.

“In that moment, their pressure was strong, and keeping the ball helped us to control the game,” he explained.

De Zerbi also highlighted the speed and proficiency of his four attacking players, emphasizing the importance of maintaining their distinctive style regardless of the match’s circumstances.

“We can’t forget our DNA because the game can change, and it’s bad when the result can change our style,” he asserted.

Pascal Gross, one of Brighton’s standout performers, echoed his manager’s sentiments. He conceded that the team needed to adapt to United’s initially unfamiliar tactical approach.

“I think we needed to organize ourselves a little bit at the start of the game because they played quite a different shape to what they’re used to playing,” Gross admitted.

As the match progressed, Brighton settled into a rhythm, tightening their defensive lines and maintaining control of the ball. Gross added,

“We find good spaces, good gaps, we can be dangerous on the attack.”