Manchester United 1, Brighton 3
Manchester United were comprehensively demolished by Brighton after goals by Danny Welbeck, Pascal Gross, and Joao Pedro.
It was the first time United had lost at least three of their opening five games of a Premier League season and they didn’t deserve anything on the day after Brighton’s attacking masterclass.
Ex-United striker Welbeck started the rout after 20 minutes after Brighton exploited United’s weak flanks with Simon Adingra pulling the ball back to the unmarked striker as he ghosted into the box.
Tariq Lamptey laid on the other two Brighton goals from the left to set up Pascal Gross and Joao Pedro to put the visitors 3-0 up.
It was the first time United had conceded more than one goal in four consecutive games since 1979 and they performed atrociously against a side that six changes from their last game and did not pick Joao Pedro, Evan Ferguson, Ansu Fati, James Milner, or Billy Gilmour from the start.
Rasmus Hojlund, making his full debut for United, could have grabbed an equaliser just before half time but VAR ruled it out and he subsequently faded out of the game after Brighton took control.
Hannibal Mejbri scored his first goal for United after coming on as a substitute but many United fans had already voted with their feet and it was too little too late as the Reds had no answer for Brighton’s all out attack despite a string of changes by Erik Ten Hag who was booed after he took the decision to replace Rasmus Hojlund with Anthony Martial.
Hannibal’s spectacular consolation goal was the only bright spot on a dark afternoon for the Reds.
Embed from Getty ImagesPLAYER RATINGS – Manchester United 1, Brighton 3
Andre Onana: 7. Had to react quick after Simon Adingra almost got on the end of a Kaoru Mitoma cross into the area. His defence gave him scant protection and he had to save from Mitoma, Evan Ferguson, and twice from Ansu Fati in the second half too as Brighton threatened to make it a proper thrashing.
Diogo Dalot: 3. Up against Kaoru Mitoma and Tariq Lamptey, abandoned his post too often and this was ruthlessly exploited by the visitors.
Victor Lindelof: 5. Did not track the run of Danny Welbeck for his opening goal. Made up for it by preventing Adam Lallana from nicking the ball off him to go clean through just before half time and a clearance from Kaoru Mitoma.
Lisandro Martinez: 5. Hands full dealing with direct threats from the left flank but at fault for Pascal Gross’ goal and his passing was poor.
Sergio Reguilon: 5. New boy wanted to get stuck in from early on. Committed to the battle and got applause after Joel Veltman clattered him at the corner flag.
Casemiro: 4. Had to keep an eye on the Diogo Dalot situation but casual at times with Adam Lallana’s guile around and generally overrun again as Brighton played round him.
Scott McTominay: 5. Nominally on the right wing but offered little protection for Diogo Dalot.
Bruno Fernandes: 5. Got into forward positions – had a shot blocked but faded away in the second half as he failed to rally the troops after setbacks.
Christian Eriksen: 5. Too deep to be effective, not much came off for him.
Marcus Rashford: 6. Early chances saved by Jason Steele and blocked by Adam Lallana, deflected shot off Joel Veltman hit the crossbar and saw a long shot go well wide with Hojlund and McTominay waiting for through balls. His attempt at a through ball was deemed out of play after he set up Rasmus Hojlund. Second half he was more successful at running through the Brighton defence but either couldn’t hit the target or was blocked. No change out of a penalty claim against Simon Adingra as United chased the game.
Rasmus Hojlund: 5. Got an early sniff of goal got little change out of Lewis Dunk. Thought he had scored but Marcus Rashford had run the ball out of play in the build up. Faded in the second half.
Hannibal Mejbri (on for Casemiro, 64): 6. Scored a stunner.
Anthony Martial (on for Rasmus Hojlund, 64): 6. Not much energy from the striker.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (on for Lisandro Martinez, 85): No time to mark
Alejandro Garnacho (on for Sergio Reguilon, 85): No time to mark
Facundo Pellistri (on for Scott McTominay, 85): No time to mark
TEAM NEWS – Manchester United 1, Brighton 3
Injury-hit Manchester United’s team almost picked itself due to injuries and unavailable players – nine players were missing from the Reds’ usual match day squad.
Manchester United were without injured Sofyan Ambrabat, Raphael Varane, Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Mason Mount, Tom Heaton, Amad Diallo, and Kobbie Maino.
They were also without Jadon Sancho after he was suspended from the squad for the foreseeable future by manager Erik Ten Hag following remarks made on social media following his omission from the match day squad against Arsenal.
Rasmus Hojlund and Sergio Reguilon made their full debuts for Manchester United who played a diamond in midfield with Bruno Fernandes at the attacking tip, Casemiro at the base, and Christian Eriksen on the left wing and Scott McTominay on the right.
GOALS – Manchester United 1, Brighton 3
Man Utd 0, Brighton 1: 20. Danny Welbeck released Simon Adingra on the right flank, and the winger cut the ball back to the centre of the area where Welbeck had continued his run unmarked and put the ball past Andre Onana
Man Utd 0. Brighton 2: 53. Pascal Gross finished with a low shot past Andre Onana after Kaoru Mitoma squared the ball to Tariq Lamptey who slid the ball in perfectly for Gross to score from 12 yards out.
Man Utd 0, Brighton 3: 71. Substitute Joao Pedro thrashed home the ball from 16 yards out after Tariq Lamptey squared the ball to him.
Man Utd 1, Brighton 3: 73. Hannibal scored a stunning goal to rouse Old Trafford after he got the ball from Lisandro Martinez, turned, and ran unopposed until he tried his luck from 20 yards and beat Jason Steele all ends up.
MATCH STATS – Manchester United 1, Brighton 3
Man Utd: Onana, Dalot, Lindelof, Lisandro Martinez (Wan-Bissaka 85), Reguilon (Garnacho 85), Casemiro (Hannibal 64), McTominay (Pellistri 85), Fernandes (C), Eriksen, Rashford, Hojlund (Martial 64)
Man Utd Subs not used: Bayindir, Maguire, Evans, Gore
Booked: Fernandes 45+3 (foul on Mahmoud Dahoud); Hannibal (foul on Evan Ferguson 90+2)
Goal: Hannibal 73
Brighton: Steele, Lamptey (Milner 77), van Hecke, Dunk (C), Veltman, Gross, Dahoud (Gilmour 77), Adingra (Ferguson 85), Lallana (Fati 64), Mitoma, Welbeck (Joao Pedro 64)
Brighton Subs not used: Verbruggen, Julio, Webster, Baleba
Booking: Lamptey 4 (foul on Diogo Dalot); van Hecke 24 (timewasting)
Goals: Welbeck 20; Gross 53; Joao Pedro 71
Referee: Jarred Gillett
Attendance: 73,592