Ole Gunnar Solskjaer praised the influence of Juan Mata after the Spaniard starred in Manchester United's Carabao Cup win at Brighton.
The visitors ran out 3-0 winners as the 32-year-old Mata laid on Scott McTominay's header before tucking away his 50th goal for the club, with Paul Pogba's deflected free-kick wrapping up the victory.
There was nowhere near the drama of United's last-gasp Premier League win here at the Amex Stadium four days ago, with a combined 19 changes across both sides.
In a first half of little chances, Mata won a free-kick before dusting himself off to cross for McTominay to head United in front.