Ruben Amorim praised “working machine” Bryan Mbeumo, who scored twice, and pointed to the significance of a third consecutive league win after Manchester United’s 4-2 victory over Brighton at Old Trafford on Saturday.

First-half goals from Matheus Cunha and Casemiro were followed after the break by Mbeumo making it 3-0. Yet from cruising United suffered a scare as Danny Welbeck and Charalampos Kostoulas scored – the latter in added time before Mbeumo’s second close to the final whistle.

Amorim was asked about Mbeumo’s import and his role in recruiting him this summer. “He’s a working machine. He’s so good in transitions. He’s improving when we are organising the final third,” said the head coach, before praising his connection with Amad Diallo at right-wingback. “[It] is really hard to beat these two guys because they change positions, they are really fast, they are good in one against one.

“My role was as a manager to explain what I want from him but it was more the club and you guys. We can struggle a lot but it’s Manchester United. When Manchester United is there and when we feel that this...