Manchester United look good. Their investments look smart. It is a moment to enjoy

Manchester United have won three Premier League matches in a row.

Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Brighton & Hove Albion has earned the team its longest league winning streak since February 2024. Ruben Amorim’s men attacked with precision and purpose at Old Trafford. His back three were aggressive and tracked their opponents through multiple phases of play. Goals from Danny Welbeck and Charalampos Kostoulas threw some danger into the game’s closing period, but this was another strong performance from United. The effort from last Sunday’s trip to Anfield has been built upon. United looked good.

This team has positive momentum for the first time in a long time.

“I think they (the players) are more confident,” said Amorim afterwards. “I think the best game we did this season was against Arsenal (their opening game). But then when you are a little bit more confident, when you have a different spirit, sometimes you have a little bit of luck in certain moments of the game that help you to win games. That is what I’m feeling now, that we are a little bit more free playing the game.”

United’s second goal came from Casemiro being encouraged to shoot by the Old Trafford crowd after picking up the ball outside the penalty area. His speculative effort took a fortunate deflection off Yasin Ayari’s back before spinning into the net. “Luck is the residue of design,” goes the adage, and Amorim’s better-designed side are improving in their battles for the ball. The good days that Amorim spoke of at the end of last season appear to be on the horizon.

Mbeumo has made a big impact at United (Photo: James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images)

His team were the dominant side throughout Saturday’s game, starting steadily before easing through the gears. With Mason Mount ruled out after suffering a knock there was a tweak to the front three, with Benjamin Sesko returning to the centre-forward role alongside Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha, the No 10s.

Their playing chemistry is still in its early stages, but their qualities should allow Amorim’s project to further evolve. Mbeumo’s first touch is a thing of beauty, allowing him to trap a ball with ease and maintain the pace of team moves. Sesko’s speed and aerial ability make him an imposing target man for teammates can base their attacks around. Cunha has bite and brilliance in equal measure. Add to this Senne Lammens, who has brought calm to a previously chaotic goalkeeping situation, and INEOS’ bold approach to the summer window is starting to pay off.

Better clay helps make for a better pot. Whatever Amorim hopes to shape in 2025-26, he is better equipped for future challenges.

“Much more individual quality. The money was well invested,” was the assessment of Brighton’s coach Fabian Hurzeler, but United’s improvement also owes a debt to a series of tactical tweaks from Amorim.

The head coach is continuing to favour long, direct passes into attack, and his team look stronger defensively since adjusting their structure when out of possession. When playing within their own half, United adjust into a 5-4-1 with the No 10s dropping in to better protect central midfield.

Amorim has found a workaround for one of his problem positions, shielding Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes from some of the issues that have undermined the side in recent times. Speaking on Sky Sports, Gary Neville said the result capped off the coach’s “best week in the job”. Amorim called this 4-2 victory a “more complete performance” than the previous win over Liverpool. There’s a newfound dynamism to his team. A feel-good atmosphere among the fanbase once again.

“I think today we did a little bit of everything,” said Amorim. “We had the ball, we created chances, we defended high (up the pitch pressing for the ball), we defended low (close to their own goal, repelling Brighton attacks).”

The continued form of Cunha and Mbeumo will be important to maintaining things, especially if United wish to play in such a direct manner for the remainder of the season. The two No 10s largely avoid the sort of slack passes and heavy touches that have previously halted United from properly settling into their attacking grooves.

Smooth when carrying the ball, and better at protecting it in the final third, there is a maturity in their decision-making that brings the best out of their teammates. It was Cunha’s two-touch goal that settled early nerves at the start of this win, while Mbeumo’s cool finish late in stoppage time removed all doubt.

They are a Premier League-proven pair. They are battle-tested and capable of brilliance. The longer they can play together, the further Amorim’s idea will develop. Trips to Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur will be challenging, but the team are getting better at wobbling without falling over.

Before the conversation turns to “How good are Manchester United?”, let us pause and enjoy the moment. United looked good. They have won three Premier League matches in a row. A team with momentum, and their season has well and truly taken off.

(Photo: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)