A Lewis Dunk own goal was enough for Manchester United to see off a stubborn Brighton side at Old Trafford and close the gap on neighbours City at the top of the Premier League.
Jose Mourinho made seven changes from the side that lost 1-0 to Basel in their midweek Champions League game, with only Smalling, Pogba, Martial and Lukaku keeping their places.
In an uninspiring first-half, it was the weather which caught the attention, as neither side were unable to carve out any clear-cut opportunities.
More of the same followed after the break, with Jose Mourinho introducing Zlatan Ibrahimovic to the action in place of Juan Mata just after the hour, as the hosts searched for inspiration.
And four minutes later, United were ahead.
Ashley Young fortuitously saw his shot from outside of the area take a heavy deflection off Lewis Dunk and loop over Mat Ryan.
Shane Duffy had a golden opportunity to level with less than five minutes remaining, but he headed a free-kick wide.
The three points sees United close the gap to Manchester City to five points, ahead of Pep Guardiola’s sides’ visit to Huddersfield on Sunday.
Manchester United: Utd: de Gea, Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Young, Pogba Matic, Rashford, Mata, Martial, Lukaku
Subs: Rojo, Ibrahimovic Romero, Ander Herrera, Mkhitaryan, Fellaini, McTominay
Brighton: Ryan, Saltor, Duffy, Dunk, Bong, Knockaert, Stephens Propper, March, Gross, Murray
Subs: Kayal, Hemed, Goldson Izquierdo, Schelotto, Krul, Brown.
It's raining...
The heavens have opened in Manchester and the rain is pouring down, just like The Smiths used to describe.
And the Manchester United attack is fairly humdrum here, so they could do with a spark. Which is presumedly why Mourinho has told Zlatan Ibrahimovic to warm up...
20 minutes gone...
... and no goals to report yet.
Seven changes for United
So that’s a total of seven changes for Jose Mourinho following the midweek loss to Basel in the Champions League.
Smalling, Pogba, Martial and Lukaku are the only players that keep their places.
Just the one change for Brighton, as Solly March comes in for Jose Izquierdo.
Meanwhile, the players are here, the fans are ready - not long to go now.
Team news is in
We have our team news.
Here’s how the two sides will look this afternoon:
Manchester United: de Gea, Valencia, Lindelof, Smalling, Young, Pogba Matic, Rashford, Mata, Martial, Lukaku
Subs: Rojo, Ibrahimovic Romero, Ander Herrera, Mkhitaryan, Fellaini, McTominay.
Brighton: Ryan, Saltor, Duffy, Dunk, Bong, Knockaert, Stephens Propper, March, Gross, Murray
Subs: Kayal, Hemed, Goldson Izquierdo, Schelotto, Krul, Brown.
Pogbwhere?
In typical pre-match day fashion, Manchester United’s stars arrived at the Lowry Hotel on Friday night - but there was one noticeable absentee, Paul Pogba.
The Frenchman wasn’t snapped by photographers leading to the conclusion he might have been rested for Saturday’s clash against Brighton.
Of course, the alternative answer could be that he just wasn’t spotted, or that he arrived through a different entrance.
However, at the same time United’s squad were seen arriving at the luxury hotel, A Star Barbers uploaded a snap of the Frenchman getting his haircut.
Carrick explains his absence
Michael Carrick has revealed has has undergone a medical procedure to address an “irregular heart rhythm” after being out of action for two months.
The Manchester United midfielder felt unwell during his only appearance of the season, in a 4-1 Carabao Cup win over Burton Albion at Old Trafford on September 20.
Carrick underwent tests in hospital that night and had not played since, the 36-year-old revealing the dizzy spells he experienced were caused by his irregular heart beat.
In a statement released on Friday night, he said: “I just want to clear up my situation as I’ve had quite a few people asking if I’m okay and why I haven’t been fit over the last couple of months.
“After feeling strange during the second half of the Burton game in September, I underwent a series of tests.
Read more from the Red Devils skipper here.
Fellaini future in doubt
Jose Mourinho is worried Marouane Fellaini will leave Manchester United in the summer as contract talks continue to drag on.
The 30-year-old has endured a difficult relationship with United supporters at times but has become an influential player under the Portuguese.
That form was recognised as the Red Devils triggered the one-year extension in Fellaini’s contract at the start of the year, but agreeing a deal beyond the summer is proving difficult.
United have no intention of cashing in on the midfielder in January despite talks stalling and a contract being rejected at the start of the campaign.
Asked if he was worried that Fellaini would not be here next season, Mourinho said: “Yes, I am.”
When asked if there was anything he could do to turn it around, the United boss added: “Nothing. It is a discussion between the player and the board. I am not involved in contracts, in deals. And I respect both.”