Manchester United suffered a crushing defeat at the Amex Stadium, where Brighton secured a dramatic 2-1 victory with a last-gasp goal. The match further exposed United’s persistent struggles in front of goal, as Erik ten Hag’s side failed to break down a well-organized Brighton defense, continuing a worrying trend that has plagued them in recent games, including their previous encounter against Fulham.
From the outset, Brighton asserted their dominance, controlling possession and creating more dangerous opportunities. Their efforts paid off when former Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck found the back of the net with a close-range effort, putting the home side ahead 1-0. Manchester United, on the other hand, struggled to penetrate Brighton’s disciplined defense throughout the first half, resulting in a frustrating 45 minutes for Ten Hag and his team.
In the second half, United showed some improvement, responding to Brighton’s early dominance. Their efforts were rewarded when Amad Diallo managed to equalize, albeit with a bit of fortune as his shot took a deflection that wrong-footed the Brighton goalkeeper, leveling the score at 1-1. This goal injected some much-needed hope into the United camp, and they appeared to be on the verge of taking the lead when Alejandro Garnacho found the back of the net. However, VAR intervened, ruling out the goal due to Joshua Zirkzee being marginally offside and inadvertently interfering with play, thus keeping the scoreline level.
As the match entered its final moments, a draw seemed the likely outcome, but Brighton had other ideas. In injury time, Joao Pedro was left unmarked in United’s penalty area and capitalized on the defensive lapse, heading home a dramatic winner for Brighton. This last-minute goal highlighted United’s defensive vulnerabilities, particularly their poor marking during crucial phases of the game.
Individually, there were some notable performances from the United players despite the overall disappointing result. Goalkeeper Andre Onana earned a rating of 7 for his improved distribution, which included a memorable long pass to Diogo Dalot. Despite his efforts, Onana was unable to prevent Brighton’s goals. Diogo Dalot himself was one of the standout performers for United, receiving a rating of 7.5 for his contributions at both ends of the pitch, including a vital goalline clearance and an excellent cross to assist Amad Diallo’s goal.
Matthijs de Ligt, who replaced Harry Maguire as a substitute, provided a steady presence in defense but was on the field when Brighton scored their winning goal, leading to a rating of 6.5. Scott McTominay, who came on for Bruno Fernandes, showed some attacking intent but was unable to make a significant impact on the game, earning him a 6.5 as well. Antony, introduced late in the match, had little time to influence proceedings, which was reflected in his rating of 6.
This defeat emphasized Manchester United’s ongoing issues with their attacking strategy. Despite a more promising performance in the second half, the team’s lack of creativity and efficiency in the final third remains a significant concern. The loss underscores the need for a reassessment of their offensive tactics as United looks to bounce back and avoid further disappointments in the Premier League season.