- Man Utd beaten by Brighton at the Amex Stadium
- Joao Pedro scored hosts' 95th-minute winner
- The social media reaction was to be expected
Manchester United have now lost five of their last six Premier League meetings with Brighton & Hove Albion thanks to an unmarked Joao Pedro scoring a 95th-minute at the Amex Stadium on Saturday.
It wasn't embarrassing in the sense of being thrashed, as was the case for Ralf Rangnick's sorry Red Devils just over two years ago - the result which started this bogey run. But United were lacklustre, failing to build on the momentum of last Friday night's late win over Fulham.
Ironically, two offside goals meant they had the chance to win this one, but comical headless chicken-esque stoppage time defending, despite boosting the back-line during summer, was costly.
Early talking points centred on Erik ten Hag's unchanged side from that which started against Fulham eight days earlier: no Matthijs de Ligt and Joshua Zirkzee in the XI.
Everyone has a part to play 👊
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 24, 2024
Erik talks us through his selection process ahead of #BHAMUN 🗯️#MUFC || #PL
Zirkzee on bench wtf!!! pic.twitter.com/xPbl607Tr8
— @Trishbae united (@trishbaeunited) August 24, 2024
There was also no Jadon Sancho in the matchday squad at all. Ten Hag admitted there had been "some issues" and called on Sancho to earn his place. Some fans have lost patience.
sell him
— ً (@Zirkzee11) August 24, 2024
pic.twitter.com/iG3WqD8daH
It was an even opening half hour with little in the way of chances for either team, until...
If Welbeck played again United every week he’d be getting over 50 a season
— Si Lloyd (@SmnLlyd5) August 24, 2024
Danny Welbeck opens the scoring - he loves playing his former club! 🔥 #BHAMUN #BBCFootball pic.twitter.com/s46OfMQ6UF
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) August 24, 2024
100 - Danny Welbeck's opener was the 100th goal of his club career in all competitions, while he's only scored more against West Ham (7) than he has against former side Manchester United (6). Guy. #BHAMUN pic.twitter.com/wkyhBGdVtU
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 24, 2024
Welbeck relax? It's been 10 years? Van Gaal is retired??
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) August 24, 2024
United fans weren't loving Harry Maguire's role in the goal, struggling to deal with a cross, especially with a shiny new £43m centre-back on the bench.
This is why De Ligt should've started all you bums wanted Maguire to start because of 1 good game
— Pryde (@utdmotion) August 24, 2024
De Ligt watching this Maguire performance on the benchpic.twitter.com/X8e2zimIiF
— IG: footymemehub (@footymemeshub) August 24, 2024
Immediately after the Brighton opener, Marcus Rashford scored but was flagged offside
#BHAMUN – 33’
— Premier League Match Centre (@PLMatchCentre) August 24, 2024
The referee’s call of no goal was checked and confirmed by the VAR as Rashford was in an offside position. pic.twitter.com/GPpsdG2cWP
That's three or four times Rashford has been offside. Teammates guilty of not finding the pass at times but also impatience from someone who desperately needs a goal. #mufc
— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) August 24, 2024
I honestly don’t think Rashford understands how the offside rule works.
— Keith Russell (@Keith_Russell) August 24, 2024
Half-time saw the welcome arrival of Zirkzee as Ten Hag opted for something more conventional.
Harsh on Mount that but excited to see more of Zirkzee, come on!!
— Soph Richø 🔰 (@SophRicho) August 24, 2024
The Dutchman wasn't involved in the equaliser, but the goal from Amad was one that had been coming for a few games after being given his chance this season.
Fair play Amad. Troubling first hour for him but he cut inside so well there. Creates so much space for himself. Bit of luck after that, but we’ll take it!
— Scott Patterson (@R_o_M) August 24, 2024
Nice assist from Noussair Mazraoui.
1 - Noussair Mazraoui setting up Amad Diallo is the first time @ManUtd have scored a Premier League goal that was both scored and assisted by African players. Continental. #BHAMUN pic.twitter.com/o6fLAPUKnn
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) August 24, 2024
With the passing of his step mother this week, things haven't been easy.
Good for Amad. It's been a difficult week for him.
— Carl Anka (@Ankaman616) August 24, 2024
Amad is currently mourning the death of his father’s wife, who he saw as a mother.
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) August 24, 2024
He asked to play despite the news and delivered a goal in her memory ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gsstx070kX
Remarkably, United thought they had taken the lead when substitute Alejandro Garnacho fired goalward, only for an offside Zirkzee to tap it in and rule it out.
This shot from Alejandro Garnacho was heading into an open net, but Joshua Zirkzee's touch on the goalline resulted in it being ruled offside...#TheKickOff | #BHAMUN pic.twitter.com/dLMBCzv30a
— Premier League (@premierleague) August 24, 2024
Cruelly, hero to zero from one game to the next.
They will drag Zirkzee for this one. pic.twitter.com/gr8W6FpM9Y
— Vince™ (@Blue_Footy) August 24, 2024
Things went from bad to worse because Brighton then won it after United failed to deal with a stoppage time corner and left huge gaps all over the box when the Seagulls recycled the chance.
Joao Pedro left completely free at the far post. pic.twitter.com/pIpdXXIOHQ
— utdreport (@utdreport) August 24, 2024
nobody will remember:
— Premier League USA (@PLinUSA) August 24, 2024
- your salary
- how “busy you were”
- how many hours you worked
people will remember:
- that João Pedro match winner
🚨🚨| Bruno Fernandes and Amad Diallo’s reactions to João Pedro’s winner against United. pic.twitter.com/rhXAcmUOAx
— CentreGoals. (@centregoals) August 24, 2024
Brighton always seem to hurt Man Utd no matter who’s in charges. Grim ending.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) August 24, 2024
Man Utd have started the nonsense already
— One (@HeadieOne) August 24, 2024
Remember when Man Utd won the league last week? 🤣
— - (@AnfieldRd96) August 24, 2024
Has anything changed from last season?! That midfield is dead and we won’t be able to do anything with it going forward. Casemiro constantly going to ground and Mainoo started doing it at the end.Rashford woeful, Maguire won’t be in for Liverpool. Ugarte is a must! @ManUtd
— Will Higman 🔰 (@thenotoriousH19) August 24, 2024
#MUFC should not be losing that game. An inability for players to stay onside or time passes has cost the team. So did loose defence in the box. General play pretty good. There was application to pressing again. Taking off Fernandes failed to work.
— Laurie Whitwell (@lauriewhitwell) August 24, 2024