It is now four home defeats in five for the Red Devils after another disappointing defensive performance
Manchester United got away with it in their previous outing against Southampton, but Brighton were not so charitable and gave the Red Devils exactly what they deserved on Sunday: a punishing 3-1 defeat and their sixth loss of the season at Old Trafford.
United conceded the opening goal for the fifth game in a row at home when Kaoru Mitoma took advantage of lax defending to latch on to a high ball and squared for Yankuba Minteh to tap home in the fifth minute.
Ruben Amorim's side toiled thereafter, but following some half-hearted attempts on goal, they were handed a golden opportunity when Carlos Baleba pulled a wrestling move on Joshua Zirkzee, grabbing the Dutch forward by the neck. Bruno Fernandes nonchalantly slotted home the resulting penalty, but the equaliser barely lifted United's spirits and they continued to play without conviction or clarity.
They instead contrived to conceive another atrocious goal to Joao Pedro early in the second half, but were given a reprieve by VAR for a foul by Jan Paul van Hecke on Diogo Dalot. But they continued to play poorly, giving Brighton too much room down the flanks and were eventually punished when Minteh returned the favour to Mitoma, who stabbed home at the back post.
United's misery was compounded by an astounding gaffe, even by his standards, from Andre Onana, who attempted to catch a low cross but instead pushed it right into the path of Georginio Rutter to score the third. The defeats leaves United 13th in the Premier League table, but on this evidence they deserve to be even lower.
GOAL rates United's players from Old Trafford…
Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
Andre Onana (3/10):
His abysmal error turned a bad display into a terrible one. His delays in releasing the ball also infuriated the fans.
Matthijs de Ligt (5/10):
Made a good block late in the first half but overall was too passive
Harry Maguire (5/10):
Didn't make any glaring errors but looked shaky and slow, nothing like the commanding figure at Arsenal and Liverpool.
Leny Yoro (4/10):
Couldnt keep track of Minteh for the opening goal and had a total lack of authority.
AdvertisementAFPMidfield
Diogo Dalot (6/10):
His double-block prevented Welbeck from scoring before half-time. Worked hard getting up and down the flank, but his team-mates didn't pick him out.
Kobbie Mainoo (5/10):
Better than against Southampton, but by no means good.
Manuel Ugarte (4/10):
Too slow to make tackles and easily beaten in the build-up to the second Brighton goal.
Noussair Mazraoui (3/10):
Was tortured by Mitoma for the opening goal and then put up no resistance to the Japan international as he nudged in the second. Also easily beaten down the flank before Rutter struck the third.
Getty Images SportAttack
Bruno Fernandes (5/10):
His performance was summed up by a miscued attempt which went wide. Took the penalty well, but otherwise was unable to produce any memorable moments.
Joshua Zirkzee (6/10):
Bizarrely United's best performer, displaying impressive hold-up play and winning the penalty with his brute power.
Amad Diallo (6/10):
Put in his usual shift and was the best hope of United getting back into the game, but he cannot bail the team out every week.
Getty Images SportSubs & Manager
Alejandro Garnacho (5/10):
Couldn't conjure anything.
Toby Collyer (5/10):
Tried to bring more energy to the midfield but it didn't work.
Antony (N/A):
A suitable ropey cameo display in what could be his last appearance for the club.
Rasmus Hojlund (N/A):
Looked lost and isolated up front once more.
Ruben Amorim (4/10):
It's now four defeats in his six Premier League games at Old Trafford and he has to take responsibility for all the feeble home displays.