In what can only be described as a dismal afternoon for Manchester United, Brighton & Hove Albion delivered a masterclass in attacking football, capitalising on a series of errors to hand Ruben Amorim’s side their seventh defeat of the season. The match, held in the shadow of the passing of Denis Law, saw United falter once again, with manager Amorim declaring his team the poorest “maybe in the history of Manchester United.”
The day began somberly as Old Trafford paid tribute to the legendary Denis Law with a piper’s rendition of Flower of Scotland and a poetic homage to the great man. However, the following match was anything but fitting for such a tribute. United’s woeful performance did little to inspire the fans, and Amorim’s frustration was palpable.
A Shocking Start
Brighton’s first goal came early, at just five minutes, setting the tone for the rest of the match. The visitors displayed fluidity and speed in their build-up play. Carlos Baleba, with a precise pass from deep, found Kaoru Mitoma sprinting down the left. Mitoma, showing impressive composure, crossed the ball to Yankuba Minteh, who finished quickly while United’s defence stood motionless.
It was a miserable start for United, and things didn’t improve as the first half unfolded. Amorim’s men were repeatedly outplayed in midfield, unable to find rhythm or connectivity. United’s defensive woes were evident, with Noussair Mazraoui at fault multiple times, while Bruno Fernandes’ pass accuracy seemed to worsen under pressure.
The Equalizer and Missed Opportunities
United did manage to pull level in the 20th minute. After Baleba’s contentious challenge on Joshua Zirkzee, referee Peter Bankes awarded a penalty. Fernandes stepped up, sending goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen diving to his left and placing the ball in the bottom right corner. For a moment, United fans had hope, but this was short-lived, as the game quickly spiralled out of control again.
Despite a few half-chances, including an attempt from Amad Diallo, United continued to look shaky. Zirkzee showed glimpses of brilliance, but his efforts were insufficient to overcome the team’s collective lack of cohesion. Meanwhile, Brighton, fully aware of United’s fragility, continued to press and create chances.
A Calamitous Goalkeeping Error
As the game wore on, United’s situation worsened. In the 76th minute, André Onana became the latest villain in a long line of United blunders. Yasin Ayari sent a ball into the box from the right, and Onana, usually reliable, made a disastrous error. His attempt to collect the ball ended in disaster as it slipped through his gloves and into the path of substitute Georginio Rutter. Onana, helpless, could only watch as Rutter calmly slotted the ball into the net, doubling Brighton’s lead.
Onana’s body language after the goal spoke volumes. He lay flat on the pitch, clearly aware of the gravity of his mistake. This moment typified United’s season: a combination of individual mistakes and a lack of confidence that has haunted them throughout.
Brighton’s Clinical Finish
Despite the setback, United tried to rally, with Amorim making changes in the second half, bringing on Alejandro Garnacho and Toby Collyer. But Brighton’s clinical finishing was the difference, as they swiftly exploited United’s defensive vulnerabilities. After a free-kick by Ayari, the ball bobbled around in the area before João Pedro pounced on the chaos to make it 3-1. United’s defence, caught napping again, could not stop the Brazilian’s strike.
The goal was initially ruled out after VAR intervention, as Jan Paul van Hecke was judged to have fouled Diogo Dalot in the buildup. But Brighton would not be denied for long. A few minutes later, Mitoma scored, finishing off a counterattack led by Ayari, whose intelligent pass found Minteh. The ball was delivered into the box, where Mitoma bundled it at the far post.
Also Read: Two Ferrari F40 Crashes in One Week: A Tough Month for Supercar Enthusiasts
Amorim’s Desperate Response
Amorim made his final attempt to shake things up by substituting Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo, but the damage was already done. Despite eight minutes of added time, United had no way back. They failed to secure consecutive Premier League wins at the final whistle, and their confidence was shattered again.
The Road Ahead for United
United’s record 20th league title remains a distant dream as the club faces another crossroads. The current squad, riddled with mistakes, lacks the cohesion and fight of previous eras, and Amorim’s reign continues to see mixed results. With the team stuck in a perpetual cycle of poor performances, it remains to be seen how long the Portuguese manager will remain at the helm.
Brighton’s win was a statement of intent as they continued to exceed Premier League expectations. Their clinical play, led by Ayari and Mitoma, proved too much for a disjointed United side.
Match Stats:
- Possession: Brighton 52% | Manchester United 48%
- Attempts: Brighton 9 | Manchester United 3
- On Target: Brighton 3 | Manchester United 3
- Corners: Brighton 4 | Manchester United 2
- Fouls: Brighton 12 | Manchester United 12
Lineups:
Manchester United: Onana, De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro, Mazraoui, Ugarte, Mainoo, Dalot, Diallo, Fernandes, Zirkzee
Brighton: Verbruggen, Veltman, van Hecke, Dunk, Estupinan, Minteh, Baleba, Ayari, Mitoma, Pedro, Welbeck