What started as a seemingly routine evening at Old Trafford quickly turned into a nerve-racking contest that had everyone on edge.
Manchester United appeared to be cruising toward an emphatic win after racing to a comfortable 3–0 lead, displaying fluid, confident football under Ruben Amorim.
The home crowd was thrilled — until a second-half substitution disrupted United’s control and opened the door for Brighton’s late fightback. And when the dust settled, club legend Rio Ferdinand didn’t mince words about who he thought was to blame.
Speaking after the match, Ferdinand’s frustration was unmistakable. “He’s not good enough — he’s just not good!” he exclaimed during his post-game analysis. “I can’t understand what Amorim was thinking bringing him on. From the moment he stepped on the pitch, everything fell apart.
We conceded two goals, and that’s not bad luck that’s poor judgment.” His fierce remarks immediately sparked heated debates online, with supporters and analysts dissecting both the manager’s decision and the player’s performance.
For much of the game, United had looked untouchable. Their pressing was sharp, the passing crisp, and the tempo relentless. But once the substitution happened, everything changed the defense lost its structure, passes became sloppy, and Brighton suddenly found openings where none had existed before.
Ferdinand continued his criticism, insisting that Amorim’s desire to rotate players was costing the team points. “This is Manchester United,” he said. “It’s not a charity. If someone isn’t ready or good enough, they shouldn’t be stepping onto that pitch.”
While Amorim has earned widespread respect for restoring tactical discipline and attacking flair to United, his rotation policy has begun to draw skepticism.
Fans have noticed that the team tends to lose intensity when certain substitutes enter the game. “Every time he comes on, we start conceding,” one fan wrote online.
“It’s becoming predictable.” Another supporter echoed the sentiment: “Amorim’s got to stop being emotional. Pick the best eleven and stick with them.
Despite securing the three points, there was an uneasy feeling among both fans and the coaching staff. Reports suggest Amorim was visibly agitated after the final whistle, knowing the closing minutes exposed vulnerabilities that could prove costly in tighter matches.
Inside sources claim he plans to reassess player roles before the next fixture, determined to avoid another near-collapse.
Ferdinand, though generally supportive of Amorim’s project, offered a stern warning: “If he wants to get United back into the Champions League, he has to make ruthless decisions. Sentiment doesn’t win trophies. Some players just don’t belong at this level.”
The post-match reactions summed up the mood perfectly relief over the win mixed with deep concern about the team’s fragility. One fan wrote, “We can’t keep scraping through like this. A top-four team must control games for 90 minutes, not just 70.”
In the end, Manchester United’s victory over Brighton was a bittersweet reminder of how fragile progress can be. Ferdinand’s blunt comments reflected the frustrations of a fanbase that expects consistency, not chaos.
As Amorim continues shaping his squad, he faces a pivotal choice to persist with underperforming players out of faith or take bold action to maintain momentum.
Because one thing is clear: if these late-game scares continue, patience inside Old Trafford will wear dangerously thin.
