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Manchester United were condemned to a fourth loss in five home games as Brighton breezed past the Red Devils at Old Trafford.
The visitors took an early lead through Yankuba Minteh, but this was cancelled out midway through the first-half as Bruno Fernandes levelled from the spot.
After going into the break on terms, Brighton put on a second-half clinic to once again expose United’s weaknesses, with Kaoru Mitoma deservedly restoring ther Seagulls’ lead.
The game was then taken out of sight for the hosts as Andre Onana gifted the Seagulls a third, parrying the ball directly into the path of Georginio Rutter who slotted into an open net.
Another disastrous outing for the Red Devils, the result leaves them straddling in the bottom half of the table, having registered just 26 points in 22 games.
Follow for the reaction from Old Trafford below:
Calamitous Man Utd confront their new reality after latest Brighton humiliation
The juxtaposition of Manchester United’s history and the current reality can often be awkward, sometimes unfair. But after a poignant reminder of their glorious past came an illustration of the troubled present.
United paid tribute to Denis Law, but only before the game. Once it started, with a certain predictability, Brighton recorded their regulation win over United. Law may forever remain the king of the Stretford End, but, for one afternoon only, the princes of the corner of the East Stand that housed the visiting fans were Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma and Georgino Rutter.
After the tributes, the trouble. A wreath was laid by three 1968 European Cup-winning players, Alex Stepney, Paddy Crerand and Brian Kidd, and the 1999 and 2008 Champions League-winning manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
And then the team marooned in 13th lost for the fourth time in five home matches. That Law’s final kick of the ball was a backheeled winner for Manchester City as United were relegated is an illustration their history is not unblemished. Nevertheless, this is shaping up as United’s worst league season for decades.
Brighton breeze past woeful Man United in Old Trafford triumph
Brighton not getting carried away in push for Europe
Brighton are back in winning ways, with today’s triumph acting as their second successive victory off the back of an eight-game winless run.
It’s form like this which will surely aid their push to return to Europe – but striker Georginio Rutter says the team aren’t getting ahead of themselves.
He told Premier League Productions: “The season is long and we have to keep going like this, taking it game by game and we’ll see at the end.”
Embarrassing stat sums up United’s woes
Manchester United have suffered six home Premier League defeats this season – their most from the opening 12 home matches of a league season since 1893-94 (7).
Dire straits.
Rutter delighted to overcome the Old Trafford test
“We are happy with three points today,” Rutter told Premier League productions. “It’s good fans here [at Old Trafford], it’s hard to play here but today we stayed calm and played with confidence.
“I’m very happy [to be in good form] but it’s about the team, they help me to score every week. It can be hard when a new player comes and you’re expected to score straight away but they have been patient with me.”
Is this the end for Andre Onana?
Yet another horror show for United stopper Andre Onana today.
With FA Cup hero Altay Bayindir waiting in the wings, could this be one blunder too many for the Cameroonian number one?
Where do United go from here?
It’s hard to look at this Manchester United team and see any player – perhaps other than Amad Diallo – that Ruben Amorim wouldn’t willingly cut ties with if he got the opportunity.
He lacks any pre-existing foundation to build a squad capable of taking United back to the top.
The ex-Sporting boss has got a mammoth job on his hands, and he’s being reminded of it week on week.
FULL-TIME! Manchester United 3-1 Brighton
Another torrid day at the office for Ruben Amorim as Brighton come out 3-1 winners at Old Trafford.
After Bruno Fernandes’ penalty cancelled out Yankuba Minteh’s early opener, Brighton put on a clinic in the second half, restoring their lead through Kaoru Mitoma.
The game was then taken out of sight for the hosts as Andre Onana gifted the Seagulls a third, parrying the ball directly into the path of Georginio Rutter who slotted into an open net.
Disastrous for United once again as Brighton do the double over the Red Devils in the league.
Manchester United 1-3 Brighton
90+7 mins: United may be chasing the lead, but it’s only Brighton who look like scoring in the latter stages.
Rutter drives into the box and finds Solly March in a four vs three – but instead of trying for a fourth, March does the smart thing and heads towards the corner, winning the foul and further killing the game.
That’ll do it.
Manchester United 1-3 Brighton
90+5 mins: Diego Gomez is introduced for his Premier League debut as Joao Pedro and Carlos Baleba make way for Brighton.
Two of today’s standout performers.
Source: independent.co.uk
