Brighton & Hove Albion took full advantage of a shocking error by Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana to secure a commanding victory at Old Trafford, dealing United their fourth home defeat in five Premier League matches. Ruben Amorim’s side now languishes in the bottom half of the table, far from the form expected of a team with their pedigree.
United’s evening unraveled when Onana failed to handle a routine low cross from Yasin Ayari, inexplicably releasing the ball into the path of Georginio Rutter. The substitute gleefully pounced, tapping into an empty net as Onana looked on in disbelief at his own mishap.
The visitors were already 2-1 up before the goalkeeper’s blunder, with Yankuba Minteh opening the scoring after just five minutes, converting from close range following a dazzling run and delivery from Kaoru Mitoma. Bruno Fernandes briefly restored parity for United with a well-taken penalty in the 23rd minute, but Mitoma combined with Minteh once more, heading home from a chipped cross to put Brighton back in front just after the hour mark.
VAR intervened to deny Brighton a third goal earlier, ruling out Joao Pedro’s strike due to a foul in the build-up. However, that decision ultimately did little to halt their momentum, as the Seagulls recorded their sixth win in their last seven encounters with Manchester United.
United’s Inconsistency Raises Relegation Concerns
The specter of relegation, once unthinkable at Old Trafford, looms ever larger as Amorim’s men continue their erratic form. With just seven points from their last nine games, United sit seven points adrift of 10th-placed Fulham and remain perilously close to the drop zone.
Amorim previously warned of “major bumps in the road” and acknowledged that his team are fighting relegation. Despite the grim statistics, survival seems plausible only because of the poor quality of teams below them. Even so, the current squad shows little evidence of the consistency needed for a top-half finish.
Harry Maguire’s lack of communication with Onana, leading to an almost disastrous clearance, epitomized the disarray in United’s defense. But the goalkeeper’s howler was the most glaring of the day, a mistake that could haunt United as the pressure on Amorim intensifies.
Transfer Speculation and Squad Overhaul Loom
Amid the turmoil, speculation surrounds several players. Antony made a cameo appearance late in the match, while Tyrell Malacia remained on the bench, both linked with potential moves. Marcus Rashford’s diminishing role fuels further rumors of a departure. Amorim’s challenge is compounded by a squad overhaul that feels both necessary and impractical within the current transfer window.
Brighton’s Tactical Brilliance Shines Once Again
Brighton’s victory at Old Trafford was not merely a stroke of luck — it was a masterclass in tactical fluidity. Danny Welbeck’s clever movement, whether dropping deep or pushing high against United’s shaky backline, created spaces that Mitoma, Ayari, and others exploited with precision.
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Manager Fabian Hurzeler has guided Brighton to three away wins in nine days, reigniting hopes of European qualification. The Seagulls’ fearless approach, epitomized by Mitoma’s relentless energy, made light work of a brittle United defense.
The Brighton faithful, jubilant at yet another Old Trafford triumph, serenaded their heroes long after the final whistle. For Manchester United, however, the road ahead looks increasingly treacherous, with time running out to salvage a crumbling season.