Šeško’s Last-Gasp Heroics Cap Thrilling Old Trafford Drama

Old Trafford witnessed pulsating late drama on Sunday as Manchester United dug out a 3–2 victory over Fulham — a result that continues the club’s remarkable revival under Michael Carrick. It was a night that had everything: a composed early set-piece finish, incisive midfield play, a penalty, a stoppage-time equaliser for the visitors and, ultimately, a last-gasp winner that sent Old Trafford into raptures.

There are wins, and then there are statements. Michael Carrick’s Manchester United took a Emirates crowd and left them stunned on a cold January evening — a 3-2 victory that felt every bit as much about character as it was about individual moments of quality.

United travelled to the Premier League leaders, conceded more of the ball (56.5% possession to Arsenal) and fewer shots (10 to Arsenal’s 15), but they were ruthless in the moments that mattered.

The roar that greeted the final whistle told you everything. Old Trafford needed this — and United delivered in style. In Michael Carrick’s first game back in charge for his second stint, Manchester United turned in a brilliantly disciplined, razor-sharp performance to claim all three points against Manchester City. A 2-0 victory that will send the dressing room into the week buzzing. Against a team that hogged the ball (68% possession), United said: go ahead, keep it. They ceded territory but never control — and when the final whistle blew, the clean sheet and the scoreline were all that mattered. Carrick’s song echoed around the stadium. This is what derby wins feel like! Old Trafford witnessed a masterclass in counter-attacking football. Low possession, maximum impact. Vintage.

It felt like another heavy night at Old Trafford for a Manchester United side in transition. On paper United dominated possession (59.5%) and outgunned Brighton in shots (19 to 13) and shots on target (8 to 4), but football is played in the box and Brighton were far crueller with theirs. A youthful United team, led temporarily by Darren Fletcher after the tumultuous sacking of Ruben Amorim, were undone by a clinical Brighton and a veteran striker who knows this club all too well.