United midfielder Neil Kilkenny collected plenty of plaudits after Saturday's 3-0 success at Brighton.

The former Arsenal apprentice made only his second league start of the season, against the Seagulls, and after having a hand in the first two goals, he rounded off the afternoon by scoring one himself.

United manager Simon Grayson said he was delighted with Kilkenny's performance - he scooped numerous star man awards in Sunday's papers - and said the player had got his rewards for being patient.

"He's had to be patient," said the boss.

"He was one of our most consistent players in the second half of last season, but he was injured in pre-season, missed the start of the season, and Micky Doyle and Jonny Howson have done well in there.

"If players do well, I stand by them, they all know that, but Killa has been patient. He has worked hard in training and we've said his opportunity would come.

"He played against Oldham and Grimsby, and on Saturday he bossed the game.

"When you look at Jermaine's goal, the pass from Killa was out of this world, and his performance was rounded off with a goal. That summed up what we are about - having the desire to go from one end to the other in the final minute when the game is over."