Old Trafford witnessed another humiliating afternoon for Manchester United as they succumbed to a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Seagulls capitalized on a disastrous start, with Kaoru Mitoma’s incisive run setting up Yankuba Minteh for the opening goal within the first five minutes.
Although Bruno Fernandes leveled the score from the penalty spot after Carlos Baleba’s foul on Joshua Zirkzee, United failed to build on the momentum.
Brighton regained control after the break, with Mitoma once again proving a thorn in United’s side.
However, it was Andre Onana’s calamitous error that sealed their fate.
The goalkeeper’s fumble gifted Georginio Rutter an easy tap-in, effectively ending any hopes of a comeback.
This defeat leaves United languishing in 13th place in the Premier League, while Brighton climb to ninth.
United’s inability to start games with intensity proved detrimental. They were repeatedly caught off guard, allowing Brighton to dictate the early tempo and seize the initiative.
Also, the club’s attacking woes continue to plague them. Despite spending heavily on forwards, they lack a clinical finisher.
Joshua Zirkzee, while showing signs of improvement, is not the answer. The development of Rasmus Hojlund has stalled, and the futures of Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho remain uncertain.
Andre Onana’s costly mistake against Brighton highlighted his growing inconsistency. His errors are becoming increasingly frequent, and it’s time for manager Ruben Amorim to consider alternative options in goal.
This defeat raises serious concerns about United’s progress under Amorim. The team lacks cohesion, confidence, and a clear identity.
Unless drastic improvements are made, a challenging season lies ahead.
