Micah Richards and Gary Lineker praise Man Utd star for thriving under intense pressure

Playing the full match, the 26-year-old French attacker caused plenty of problems for the Seagulls backline.

His goal in injury time gave United a hard-fought win, continuing his good form since arriving from Brentford this summer.

On The Rest Is Football podcast, Richards stressed the importance of consistency for the Red Devils. He believes they must build upon the tactical system implemented by the Portuguese coach.

“Really, really good, and these are all the things that I’ve been saying.

“If you’re going to play in this way, and I’ve never said, a lot of people will say, ‘Oh, I thought,’ the system can work;

“I just don’t think they’re playing it in the right way and I don’t think about the players to do that.

“That’s the first time I’ve been convinced that they know exactly what their roles are. And I agree with Alan now.”

Richards also added: “Now the challenge is consistency. That’s what it needs to be. And Mbeumo, give him time and space, he’s going to hurt you. And I thought he played really well as well.”

Gary Lineker backs Micah Richards over Man Utd player after Brighton win

Mbeumo has started strongly for United, scoring five goals in his first 10 matches and quickly becoming an important part of the team.

Gary Lineker, like Richards, noted how well the former Brentford star has fit in and pointed out how smoothly he has adapted to the demands of playing for a bigger club.

“He’s really good, Mbeumo.

“I mean, he’s also, I suppose, the question mark again, someone that’s done consistently well at a club like Brentford – with all due respect – is to then jump to one of the giants in world football and be able to handle it. And he clearly can.

“It’s not fazed him in the slightest.”

He then added: “So, and I would say the same with Cunha. I mean, obviously, he’s got experience of Atletico in Madrid which is obviously one of the big boys in Spain, but Manchester United is a little different.”

United are back on the road next weekend when they head to City Ground to take on Nottingham Forest in a 3pm kick-off.