At the Amex Stadium, Manchester United suffered their second Premier League defeat of the season in a disappointing clash against Brighton. The match was marked by a series of missed opportunities and defensive lapses that ultimately cost United dearly, leaving fans and players alike to rue what might have been.
The first blow came after a misjudgment by Harry Maguire, which allowed former Manchester United player Danny Welbeck to put Brighton ahead. The goal, scored almost exactly 10 years after Welbeck left Old Trafford, was a bitter pill to swallow for United supporters, as it highlighted the kind of defensive errors that have plagued the team in recent seasons.
The game began with some promise for United, as they created several chances, the most notable of which came when Amad found himself in a prime position to score. However, the young forward squandered a golden opportunity, sending his shot wide and leaving the match goalless. This missed chance would prove costly, as Brighton grew in confidence and began to assert themselves more as the first half progressed.
At halftime, Erik ten Hag decided to shake things up by bringing on Joshua Zirkzee to replace Mason Mount, who had been relatively quiet throughout the opening 45 minutes. Zirkzee’s introduction came earlier than anticipated, as United looked to add more firepower in their pursuit of an equalizer.
Their persistence paid off around the hour mark when Amad redeemed his earlier miss by scoring the equalizer. The young forward, who had been eager to make amends, took his chance well, leveling the score and giving United hope of turning the game around.
As the match wore on, Alejandro Garnacho came tantalizingly close to putting United ahead. The young Argentine seemed destined to score when his goal-bound effort was deflected into the net. However, the joy was short-lived as the goal was ruled out for offside, with Joshua Zirkzee being the unfortunate player who had interfered with the play. This moment of misfortune left United frustrated, as it became clear that luck was not on their side.
The final nail in the coffin came deep into stoppage time when Brighton’s Pedro found himself unmarked in the box and headed home to give the hosts a dramatic 2-1 victory. The late goal was a crushing blow for Manchester United, who had fought hard to get back into the game, only to see it slip away in the dying moments.
Following the match, player ratings highlighted the mixed performances from United’s squad.
Andre Onana, who had a few bright moments, including a brilliant pass to set Diogo Dalot on a promising run, was given a rating of six. Onana’s daring play in his own third was risky but ultimately didn’t result in any major errors.
Noussair Mazraoui, who started the game well, was given a rating of five after being caught out of position for Welbeck’s opening goal. Despite this, his overall performance was solid against tough opposition.
Harry Maguire, who bore the brunt of the blame for the first goal, received a rating of five as well. His failure to deal with Joao Pedro’s cross allowed Welbeck to capitalize and score, a mistake that cost United dearly.
Lisandro Martinez, another key figure in United’s defense, was given a rating of six. While he was a target in attack, his absence at the critical moment when Welbeck scored left a void in United’s defense that Brighton exploited.
Diogo Dalot, who played a crucial role in creating opportunities for United, was rated seven. He delivered a perfect cross for Amad, who unfortunately missed the chance to give United the lead.
Casemiro, who started the game strongly, saw his performance decline as the match went on. He became a defensive liability and was given a rating of five, reflecting his struggles in the second half.
Kobbie Mainoo, who has had a grueling schedule over the past nine months, looked fatigued and was rated five. His performance indicated that he might have benefitted from more rest, but United’s lack of midfield options left him on the field longer than ideal.
Amad, who had a mixed game, was also given a rating of five. He missed a crucial chance from Dalot’s cross and botched a breakaway with a poor pass, though he did atone somewhat by scoring the equalizer.
In summary, Manchester United’s trip to Brighton was a match filled with moments of frustration and missed opportunities. Defensive errors, missed chances, and a lack of sharpness in crucial moments cost United the game, leaving them to reflect on what could have been as they prepare for their next challenge in the Premier League.