The scale of Manchester United's issues were again on full display at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon, as Brighton & Hove Albion recorded a 3-1 victory over the Red Devils in Manchester.
Bruno Fernandes' penalty cancelled out an opener from Yankuba Minteh to leave the two teams level in the 23rd minute, but Kaoru Mitoma made it 2-1 to the visitors on the hour before Georginio Rutter netted a third following a shocker from Andre Onana.
Man United's goalkeeper dropped a straightforward cross before Rutter registered, and there was to be no response from the 20-time English champions, who lost for the 10th time in the league this season.
The result has left Ruben Amorim's side in 13th spot in the Premier League table, boasting 26 points from 22 matches, while Brighton are now in ninth, just four points behind fourth-placed Newcastle United.
SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT
© Imago
Man United have now lost six times at home in the Premier League this season, which is absolutely disastrous, and it is their most defeats from their opening 12 home matches of a league campaign since 1893-94 (seven).
There have been signs of improvement under Amorim, certainly in terms of pattern of play, but this group of players simply cannot play a 3-4-3 formation to a high standard, with the wing-back positions continuing to be problematic.
Man United also do not have a reliable goalscorer, and they were simply beaten by a better team on Sunday afternoon.
One shot on target at home - Fernandes' penalty - is a damning statistic, and although Brighton had a slice of luck to score their third, the Seagulls also had a goal disallowed and deserved to emerge victorious in Manchester.
It is a case of back to the drawing board for Amorim and his team, with even a top-half finish in the Premier League looking to be a stretch this term, which places so much focus on the club's Europa League campaign.
MAN UNITED VS. BRIGHTON HIGHLIGHTS
5th min: Man United 0-1 Brighton (Yankuba Minteh)
Man United fall behind in the fifth minute of the contest, as Mitoma races behind the Man United defence before sliding a pass into Minteh, who finishes into the back of the net; too easy for Brighton, as Man United make another poor start to a match.
21st min: Man United 1-1 Brighton (Bruno Fernandes, penalty)
Man United level the scores in the 21st minute of the match, as Fernandes scores his penalty for the Red Devils.
Joshua Zirkzee had been fouled inside the box by Carlos Baleba, with the midfielder pulling the striker to the ground, and Fernandes went past Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen to level the scores at Old Trafford.
53rd min: Man United 1-1 Brighton (Joao Pedro disallowed goal)
Brighton have the ball in the back of the Man United net for a second time through Pedro, but the goal is disallowed following a VAR check, with Jan Paul van Hecke adjudged to have fouled Diogo Dalot; slightly fortunate for the Red Devils.
60th min: Man United 1-2 Brighton (Kaoru Mitoma)
Brighton do score a second this time, as Mitoma taps a cross from Minteh into the back of the net; Minteh's effort was curling towards the far post, and Mitoma was on hand to convert from close range - the Seagulls lead again.
76th min: Man United 1-3 Brighton (Georginio Rutter)
Brighton have their third of the match in the 76th minute, with Rutter turning into the back of the net from close range following a shocker from Onana, who drops a simple cross inside the penalty box. What on earth has happened there?
MAN OF THE MATCH - YANKUBA MINTEH
© Imago
Minteh was sensational for Brighton at Old Trafford, scoring the first before setting up Mitoma to make it 2-0, and he caused Man United problems throughout the afternoon due to his pace and quality on the ball.
The 20-year-old also made three tackles and was willing to work back to help his side, with Minteh putting on a show in Manchester, but Mitoma ran him extremely close for this award, with the duo the standout players.
MAN UNITED VS. BRIGHTON MATCH STATS
Possession: Man United 51%-49% Brighton
Shots: Man United 10-6 Brighton
Shots on target: Man United 1-3 Brighton
Corners: Man United 4-2 Brighton
Fouls: Man United 13-12 Brighton
BEST STATS
Since the start of 2020/2021, Bruno Fernandes has been directly involved in 91 Premier League goals — scoring 51 and assisting 40. No midfielder has been involved in more in any timeframe.
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 19, 2025
Elite output, year after year. 🔝 pic.twitter.com/p9nrSg61Ra
Manchester United have failed to keep a clean sheet in any their last 12 matches across all competitions.
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 19, 2025
Behind early again. 🤦♂️ pic.twitter.com/lAKwAn6LnH
Kaoru Mitoma now becomes the all-time goalscorer leader for Japanese players in the Premier League.
— Kenta Hagiwara (@KentraHagatra) January 19, 2025
KAORU MITOMA - 15
Shinji Okazaki - 14
Takumi Minamino - 6
Maya Yoshida - 6
Shinji Kagawa - 6@JapaneseFbl @AsianFutbolShow #SAMURAIBLUE #BHAFC https://t.co/kvclwTv1GR
6 - Manchester United have suffered their sixth home Premier League defeat of the season, their most from their opening 12 home matches of a league season since 1893-94 (7). Dismal. pic.twitter.com/cr3IEKRZvP
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 19, 2025
WHAT NEXT?
Man United's attention will now switch to Europe and Thursday's blockbuster home fixture with Rangers; the Red Devils are currently seventh in the Europa League table, one point ahead of ninth-placed Tottenham Hotspur.
Amorim's side will then resume their Premier League campaign away to Fulham next Sunday, while Brighton's next league fixture is at home to Everton on Saturday.
Matt Law
