Manchester United faced a heartbreaking defeat at the Amex Stadium, where Brighton secured a dramatic 2-1 victory with a last-minute goal.
The match, which highlighted United’s ongoing struggles in front of goal, saw manager Erik ten Hag stick to his false 9 or split striker formation. However, this tactical approach once again proved insufficient against a resolute Brighton defense, echoing United’s difficulties from their previous encounter against Fulham.
The game began with Brighton taking control, and they capitalized on their dominance when former Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck found the back of the net with a close-range effort, giving the home side a 1-0 lead. United struggled to break through Brighton’s organized defense in the first half, leading to a frustrating 45 minutes for Ten Hag’s side.
After the break, United showed signs of improvement, with Amad Diallo equalizing through a deflected shot that wrong-footed the Brighton goalkeeper. This goal brought some hope to the United camp, and they nearly took the lead when Alejandro Garnacho appeared to have scored, only for the goal to be disallowed by VAR. The ruling was based on Joshua Zirkzee being marginally offside and inadvertently interfering with play, which negated Garnacho’s effort and kept the score level.
As the match entered injury time, it seemed destined for a draw, but Brighton had other plans. Joao Pedro, left unmarked in United’s penalty area, rose to head home a decisive goal, sealing the victory for Brighton and handing United a devastating loss. The late goal exposed United’s defensive frailties and poor marking, particularly in crucial moments.
In terms of individual performances, goalkeeper Andre Onana earned a rating of 7, displaying improved distribution skills, including a notable long pass to Diogo Dalot. However, he was powerless to stop Brighton’s goals. Diogo Dalot, who received a rating of 7.5, stood out with his dual contributions in attack and defense, including a crucial goalline clearance and an excellent cross to Amad Diallo.
Matthijs de Ligt, who came on as a substitute for Harry Maguire, provided a steady presence but was on the field when Brighton scored their winning goal, earning him a rating of 6.5. Scott McTominay, replacing Bruno Fernandes, showed some attacking intent but failed to significantly influence the game, also receiving a 6.5. Antony, who was introduced late in the match, had little time to make an impact, reflected in his rating of 6.
This defeat highlighted Manchester United’s persistent issues with their attacking strategy. Despite a more promising second half, the team’s lack of creativity and efficiency in the final third was evident. The loss calls for a reassessment of their offensive tactics, as United will need to find solutions quickly if they hope to rebound from this setback and avoid further disappointment in the Premier League season.
