Manchester United 1 – 3 Brighton
Manchester United suffered another disastrous home defeat at Old Trafford, losing 1-3 to Brighton.
After the game, Manchester United coach Ruben Amorim bluntly admitted:
“In 10 games in the Premier League, we've won two. I know that. Imagine what it means to a Manchester United fan. Imagine what it means to me. So, here we are. A new coach who has more losses than the one who came in.
“We are probably the worst team in Manchester United's history.”
Yankuba Minteh put the Seagulls ahead with an early goal and although Bruno Fernandes equalized from the penalty spot, second-half goals from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter The goal cost Ruben Amorim's side the game.
United suffered their fourth home defeat in five games, with the third goal resulting from a goalkeeping error by Andre Onana and not a single shot on target in the aerial battle.
The result meant they missed the chance to move up from 13th in the Premier League table. Fabian Huerzeller's Brighton move above Fulham into ninth place.
How it happened at Old Trafford
Slow starts have been a feature of United's games at Old Trafford and Minter's goal was the third time in five home games that Amorim have conceded within the first five minutes. Mitoma scored for the Gambians from behind.
But United responded on a day when Old Trafford paid tribute to Manchester United great Denis Law, whose death at the age of 84 was announced by his family on Friday night. Just like Thursday against Southampton, Amad Diallo was the catalyst.
The midweek hat-trick hero won the ball high before Carlos Baleba fouled Joshua Zirkzee and Fernandez converted the penalty. But it turned out that this was the best for Manchester United.
Amorim warned it would be a roller-coaster period filled with ups and downs. This time, there was a slump in the second half. Joao Pedro thought he had restored Brighton's lead, but VAR ruled it out for a foul on Jan-Paul van Herk. They didn't have to wait long.
Minter, making just his second Premier League start since early October, was the provider for Japan international Mitoma, who beat Nussel Mazraoui at the far post. It was exactly what Huzelle's side deserved, and this time there were no late volleys.
Onana's inexplicable error, pushing a tame cross into the path of Root, ensured that. Manchester United scored one goal against Southampton. Not this time. Brighton were beaten at Old Trafford as they won for the third consecutive season.
Amorim: Manchester United's worst team in history
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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim insists he will not change and his side need time despite winning two of their last 10 Premier League games.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim spoke at a press conference:
“In 10 games in the Premier League, we've won two. I know that. Imagine what it means to a Manchester United fan. Imagine what it means to me. So, here we are. A new coach who has lost more than the previous coach and I know that full well.
“Like I said, I wouldn't change no matter what. I know we can be successful, but we need to survive. Because I'm not naive, I know we need to survive now.”
“We're probably the worst team in United's history. I know you want the headlines, but I'm saying this because we have to admit that and change that. Here you go, your headlines.”
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Sky Sports' Anton Torui and Adam Bate discuss Manchester United's 3-1 home defeat to Brighton and whether manager Ruben Amorim has failed to change his squad despite the team's poor form This will only lead to more trouble.
Manchester United's statistics are terrible
- Manchester United suffered its sixth home defeat in the Premier League this season, which was the most losses (7 games) in the first 12 home games of the league since the 1893-94 season.
- United have conceded the first goal in each of their past five Premier League games at Old Trafford, their longest run of such losses in the competition, also from August to October 2023. Five goals conceded.
- United have lost 10 of their 22 Premier League games this season, their first double-digit losses in the league since Alex Ferguson took charge in 1989-90 (also Game 22).
Bruno: I really don’t understand
Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes said in an interview with the BBC:
“I don't quite understand it now. We keep talking about how difficult it is to play at Old Trafford. What an atmosphere Manchester United has at home, how can it be difficult to play in an atmosphere like ours? “With a great stadium and everything. ? “
Amorim: This is unacceptable
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim said in an interview with Sky Sports:
“Another loss at home. It's unacceptable, the way we suffered the goals. We can play some football but (only) in short bursts, so it's inconsistent and we'll be nervous, Then we suffer a goal.”
“Again, initially, it was obviously a game that Brighton did. Then it was really hard to turn it around. We got really anxious, really nervous, but they got better again.”
Asked about Onana's mistake, he said: “I think you felt it in the stadium. But we can't end the game like this. Everyone is out of position, so we have to end the game in a different way. No matter what the result is , we have to be a different team in every aspect.
“Brighton were comfortable. We tried (to get back into the game) but the football was not very good. You can look at this game and remember Bournemouth and Nottingham Forest, we suffered in the game we couldn't suffer goal. And then it was really hard for us to lose again at home, it’s unacceptable and we need to change that and change it quickly.”
Will this situation continue for some time? “It's clear. To me, it's clear. Because I'm not going to change the way I look at the game. I'm clear on that. The players are going to suffer and I'm sorry and the fans are going to suffer.” I have a feeling The way it's done, I know it's going to bring results, but we have to go through these moments and I think everyone has a very clear idea of what we're going to do. “
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Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim reflects on another home defeat
Brighton 'comfortable' and 'mature'
Brighton head coach Fabian Huzelle said in an interview with Sky Sports:
“I thought we showed a very mature performance, we had a good balance between defending well and controlling possession. We dominated, especially in the second half, and created chances. I'm delighted for the team and pride.”
Brighton captain Lewis Dunk told Sky Sports:
“We were comfortable at the end and we didn't give them any chances at the end of the whole game. We were comfortable and we pressured them at the end. We've learned that to win a football game, you don't have to Win the game beautifully.
“We could have been in a better position but we're looking at the table and where we want to be.”