The presence and intelligence of Super Eagles of Nigeria center back, Leon Balogun was instrumental in Brighton and Hove Albion’s 3-2 victory over an uncoordinated Manchester United side at the Amex Stadium on Sunday.

United handed starts to Romelu Lukaku and Ashley Young after a long summer in Russia, while Anthony Martial got into the first eleven due to the injury sustained by Chilean international, Alexis Sanchez.

Lukaku should have put The Red Devils ahead 10 minutes into the game when midfielder and French international, Paul Pogba fed the Belgian from a loose ball but he could only fire wide from inside the box with only goal keeper Matt Ryan to beat.

Balogun replaced captain Ryan Dunk after 20 minutes and his team went ahead five minutes later through a 34-year-old Glen Murray stunner, the tireless striker stepping ahead of Victor Lindelof to deftly flick the ball beyond David De Gea.

The Seagulls surprisingly doubled their lead two minutes later through defender Shane Duffy, who poked the ball into the net after United failed to clear a corner kick clumsily conceded by Eric Bailly.

The Red Devils halved the deficit on 34 minutes through Lukaku’s header from three yards out. The former Chelsea youngster was left unmarked to pounce on a brave Luke Shaw volley which bounced on the turf onto his head.

Bailly’s evening went from bad to worse when he conceded a penalty from a clumsy tackle and Pascal Gross converted from the spot to give Brighton a deserved 3-1 first half lead.

Jose Mourinho made changes at the break, with Jesse Lingard, Marcus Rashford and Marouine JeFellaini coming on to try and make a difference but the closest they got to a goal was Pogba’s long ranger which was diverted for a corner by Matt Ryan.

They eventually reduced the deficit from the spot, Pogba converting a penalty kick which was won by Fellaini in the last minute of added time.

Marshaled by the fearless and relentless Balogun, Brighton saw out the last few minutes of the game to claim a deserved but unprecedented win over the former champions.