Manchester United v Brighton & Hove Albion: The key points from Chris Hughton's post-match press conference

Brighton & Hove Albion manager Chris Hughton. Picture by PW Sporting Photography.

First half goals from Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford gave the hosts the lead before Pascal Gross reduced the deficit in the second period.

Brighton have now gone two successive Premier League games without a win and boss Hughton is still left searching for a point in the league at Old Trafford.

After the match, Hughton rued his side's lacklustre first half defensive display but felt that his Brighton side have shown in recent weeks that they can compete with teams in the upper echelons of the league.

Here are the key points from Hughton's post-match press conference:

A Jekyll & Hyde performance:

"I wasn't disappointed with the overall performance. Most of my disappointment was more towards the two goals that we conceded.

"Defensively we made a couple of errors and we conceded two poor goals. Credit to our group of players that seized the opportunity to get back into the game.

"We're playing against a United team that are in very good form at the moment. They've got good momentum at the minute and you know you will have to defend well against them and not give away disappointing goals.

"You've got to play well enough with the ball in possession. They're always going to be favourites because of the players that they've got."

Direct style almost pays dividends:

"If we were going to get something out of the game I always felt it would be from deliveries in wide areas. What they (United) did do was defend very, very well.

"On the balance of play we got a lot of balls into their box which means we've played a very decent part of this game. If one of them goes in before we score, whether we would have deserved it or not, the scoreline might have been different.

"You have to give credit to United's defence and when they had to defend well they did."

Shackling the stars:

"They will talk about the (Rashford) finish and as a manager setting up against them you can't allow him time and to have that ball in those types of areas.

"Those types of players; Salah last week, Rashford and Pogba this week; once they get the ball in those areas you know what they can do.

"I'm sure everybody will see it as a wonderful strike and, certainly as the manager who it's against, I would have preferred for us to do something about it."

Penalties cost Seagulls again:

"No complaints (regarding the penalty conceded by Gaeten Bong on Pogba). The pleasing bit regarding the team and the club is that we've lost 1-0 to Liverpool, who are top-of-the-table, last week and 2-1 at Old Trafford against a United team in really good form.

"What we have done is concede a penalty last week and we've conceded a penalty this week. That gives United the upper hand at that stage of the game."

A rejuvenated Manchester United?:

"Their league form now is seven league wins on the spin and that says that they are in good form. I don't think you can doubt any quality and ability that they have.

"Seven on the spins shows a very confident team at the moment."