Manchester United fell to a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday afternoon as the visitors won their third consecutive outing at Old Trafford.
Manchester United player ratings
GK: Andre Onana – 2
Had an absolute howler for Brighton’s third goal, failed to collect a simple cross and parried the ball straight into the path of Georginio Rutter who won’t score an easier goal in his career. Not up to standard once again.
CB: Matthijs de Ligt – 5
Kept it clean as usual and wasn’t at fault for any of the Brighton goals, pinpoint accurate once again with his passing and didn’t allow a single visiting player to beat him.
CB: Harry Maguire – 5
Similar story to De Ligt, didn’t do a lot wrong and made a number of good clearances. Arguably could’ve done better to stop the cross for Brighton’s first goal but did well in pushing United up the pitch.
CB: Leny Yoro – 5
Looks to be taking a bit of time to adapt to the English game as evidenced against Southampton in midweek, did well in his individual duels. Not a bad performance by any means.
LWB: Diogo Dalot – 5
A positive threat going forward and continues to be one of United’s most versatile players, hard to grade him anything higher than a five considering the end result.
RWB: Noussair Mazraoui – 4
Found himself caught in behind for the opening goal when Kaoru Mitoma beat him for pace and put the ball on a plate for Yankuba Minteh. Also failed to stop Mitoma again at the back post to put Brighton back in front. Had better days.
CM: Manuel Ugarte – 5
Found himself in the referee’s book around the hour mark and Ruben Amorim replaced him for Toby Collyer shortly after. Not his finest performance, lost eight of his 11 duels and looked overpowered by Carlos Baleba.
CM: Kobbie Mainoo – 5
Also substituted alongside Ugarte, looked lethargic at times but made a number of important tackles. Hasn’t looked quite the same player as United enjoyed last season and still appears to be dusting the cobwebs off.
RAM: Amad Diallo – 6
United’s biggest threat going forward once again however wasn’t able to crack a resilient Brighton backline. The visitors did well to keep him quiet and that was surely a big part of their gameplan heading in.
LAM: Bruno Fernandes – 6
Converted the penalty to equalise after 22 minutes, put in his usual shift but wasn’t the creative spark he can be and lost possession 20 times.
ST: Joshua Zirkzee – 6
Continues the upward trajectory of his United career, did well to win the penalty and offered good support in transition but wasn’t able to record a shot that wasn’t blocked. Not a big enough threat in front of goal.
Substitutes:
Toby Collyer – 4
Alejandro Garnacho – 4
Antony – 4
Rasmus Hojlund – 4
Brighton player ratings
GK: Bart Verbruggen – 6
Didn’t have much to do overall, wasn’t called into action at any point besides the penalty. Recorded three punches and completed 21 of 36 passes, 5/19 of which were long balls.
RB: Joel Veltman –7
Kept Amad Diallo at bay throughout the encounter. Made four clearances and one tackle, tidy performance which will probably go slightly under the radar.
CB: Jan Paul van Hecke – 8
Put his body on the line on numerous occasions for his team, impressive passing accuracy and made a few great tackles. Did everything you want from a centre-back.
CB: Lewis Dunk – 7
In similar fashion to his partner, his passing was true and won most of his duels. A proper captain’s performance and made three clearances.
LB: Pervis Estupinan – 6
Made three tackles and recorded one interception before being substituted inside the final ten minutes. Bombed forward throughout and offered a big threat in transition.
RM: Yankuba Minteh – 9
Bagged a goal and assist, without doubt Brighton’s best performer on the day. Put himself in a fantastic position to get the opener and his cross for Mitoma’s goal was right on the money.
CM: Carlos Baleba – 7
Conceded the penalty with a clumsy challenge in Zirkzee but provided a powerful physical presence in the middle of the park, consistently made easy work of Ugarte and Mainoo. Looks a very bright talent at the age of just 21.
CM: Yasin Ayari – 7
Provided nothing to shout about but did his job well, covered gaps in midfield and ensured United were a limited threat on the counter. Won most of his duels and made two clearances.
LM: Kaoru Mitoma – 8
Gave Mazraoui a nightmare down the left side, brilliant run to create the first goal and finished nicely at the back post to put Brighton in the lead on the hour mark. Nimble and quick attacker who constantly has full-backs looking over their shoulder.
ST: Joao Pedro – 7
Unlucky to have his goal ruled out through VAR, failed to record a shot otherwise and Brighton’s best attacks came through their wingers. Dropped deep and provided good link-up play.
ST: Danny Welbeck – 6
Had a good chance blocked but other than that failed to trouble the United backline, substituted before the 70-minute mark. A decent performance against his former club once again.
Substitutes:
Georginio Rutter – 8
Solly March – 7
Tariq Lamptey – 7
Diego Gomez – 5
Julio Enciso – 5
