MANCHESTER UNITED have been beaten 3-1 by Brighton after a horror show at Old Trafford.
Danny Welbeck tapped in early on to claim the Seagulls’ first of the afternoon against his old side.
Pascal Gross made it two in the second half, and Joao Pedro scored his first Brighton goal to make it 3-0 before Hannibal pulled one back for United, but it wasn’t to be for the Red Devils.
- Match result: Man United 1-3 Brighton
- Man Utd XI: Onana; Wan-Bissaka, Lindelof, Martinez, Reguilon; Casemiro, Eriksen, McTominay; Fernandes, Rashford; Hojlund
- Brighton XI: Steele; Lamptey, Dunk, Van Hecke, Veltman; Dahoud, Gross, Lallana; Welbeck, Adringa, Mitoma
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Where do United go from here?
Things certainly don’t get any easier for Ten Hag.
His men now travel to Germany on Wednesday night.
They will play Bayern Munich in their Champions League group stage opener.
And United will be hoping to guard against Harry Kane, who was once a top target for them.
Credit: Getty Another defeat
It’s three defeats in four matches for United now.
Ten Hag looked glum as he marched off the pitch.
Wonder if Sancho would have made a difference today…
Full time: Man Utd 1 Brighton 3
Well, what a result this is for the Seagulls.
United fans aren’t happy and jeer at the final whistle.
It really was the same old story, scrappy in possession and no clinical edge.
Ten Hag’s subs proved controversial too, with supporters furious when Hojlund was removed from the field.
Credit: Reuters
Man Utd 1 Brighton 3 – Close!
90+4. Hannibal goes into the book for a reckless challenge.
And it opens the way for Fati to burst into a one-on-one with Onana.
But the Barcelona man hits it wrong and sends the ball wide.
Should have been four.
Man Utd 1 Brighton 3
90+2. Old Trafford has almost emptied out alraedy.
The fans have seen enough and are voting with their feet.
But the away supporters are in jubilant voice and won’t be moving for a while.
Man Utd 1 Brighton 3
90. We will have SIX minutes of added time here.
United must find a goal now.
Garnacho breaks into the box after a speedy run but he is offside.
Man Utd 1 Brighton 3
89. Fati gets a strike off but it’s well handled by Onana.
Brighton are happy to regroup and let United pass it around their defence.
The hosts are struggling to get out of their own half at the minute.
We’ll find out how much added time there is shortly.
Man Utd 1 Brighton 3
87. Time’s ticking at Old Trafford and there’s no sign of life from United.
In fact, the change in personnel only looks to have strengthened Brighton’s resolve.
And any time United get hold of the ball, the Seagulls swarm to regain possession immediately.
Man Utd 1 Brighton 3 – Subs
85. Brighton make their final change with Evan Ferguson on for Simon Adingra.
Meanwhile, Alejandro Garnacho, Facundo Pellistri and Aaron-Wan Bissaka are on for United.
Lisandro Martinez, Scott McTominay and Sergio Reguilon come off.
Man Utd 1 Brighton 3
83. There’s certainly been goals galore this game.
Will there be more in the next seven minutes?
After the quickfire double less than 10 minutes ago, you wouldn’t bet against it.
Credit: Getty Credit: AP Man Utd 1 Brighton 3
81. Reguilon takes on Adingra and wins before launching a cross.
Dunk is on hand to clear for a corner, which is taken by Eriksen.
But it’s a terrible effort and cleared by Brighton.
United then plead for a free-kick on Rashford but it’s ignored by the ref.
Man Utd 1 Brighton 3 – Save!
79. Mitoma is in and almost makes it four!
But Onana stays strong and makes a good block.
Man Utd 1 Brighton 3
78. Brighton are trying to slow things down here.
The crowd jeer as the Seagulls take their time over a goal kick.
United win the ball back quickly.
But they can’t find a way through Brighton’s midfield.
Man Utd 1 Brighton 3 – Subs
76. Subs from the visitors.
James Milner and Billy Gilmour are on.
Mahmoud Dahoud and Tariq Lamptey come off.
Man Utd 1 Brighton 3
75. Wow, some great action there.
One fine goal from Pedro topped by an instant reply from Hannibal.
But Brighton still have that two-goal cushion.
Can United find one more quickly?
Goal – Man Utd 1 Brighton 3
There’s an immediate reply!
And it’s the sub Mejbri, who fires in a howitzer from distance!
The midfielder controls the ball before cracking off a long shot.
He wheels away in celebration and it’s game on again!
Goal – Man Utd 0 Brighton 3
It’s THREE for Brighton!
Lamptey dinks his way down the left and plays in Joao Pedro.
The Brazilian then fires in a cracker from distance, with Onana nowhere near.
United fans are leaving in their droves now, there’s no way back.
Man Utd 0 Brighton 2
69. Just over 20 minutes left and United look no closer to finding that key breakthrough.
Eriksen is now sitting deepest in midfield, with Hannibal pushing forward.
Yet it’s left United exposed, and Brighton almost get in with Fati before Martinez steps across the youngster.
The Stretford End is restless, with many wanting to see Alejandro Garnacho come on.
Man Utd 0 Brighton 2
67. Instant impact from Hannibal as he wins a free-kick in a good position.
Rashford stands over it before lashing a shot at goal.
But the effort is a weak one and Steele is able to catch it easily.
Man Utd 0 Brighton 2 – Subs
65. Changes from both sides here.
Adam Lallana and Danny Welbeck are both off.
They’re replaced by Barcelona loanee Ansu Fati and summer signing Joao Pedro.
Meanwhile, United have hauled off Casemiro and Rasmus Hojlund for Hannibal Mejbri and Anthony Martial.
Fans loudly booed when Hojlund’s number went up…
Man Utd 0 Brighton 2
62. The home crowd are getting noisier as they urge their players on.
United get a break down the right through Dalot, who beats his man before chipping the ball onwards.
The ball is sent back out though, and Brighton are able to reclaim possession.
Man Utd 0 Brighton 2
60. Gross is looking hungry since his goal.
He is keeping a sharp press on Lindelof, with Welbeck constantly chasing down Martinez and preventing United from playing out.
Rashford finally gets some luck and darts down the left.
But Gross charges back to snuff out the danger.
Credit: Reuters Man Utd 0 Brighton 2
58. A rare spell of possession for United sees an opportunity fall to Fernandes.
The captain lines up a shot from distance, but his effort lacks any real power.
Hojlund attempts to spark some life into the hosts with a decent dribble.
But Rashford’s shot is deflected out for a corner, with the resulting set-piece hit into the side-netting by Fernandes.
Man Utd 0 Brighton 2
56. It’s a long way back from here…
United have not been on it since coming out for the second half.
Brighton were given too much time on the ball, allowing them to craft another opportunity.
And United paid the ultimate price, with two goals now needed just to level things up.
Goal – Man Utd 0 Brighton 2
53. It’s another for the Seagulls!
Brighton work it from right to left, allowing Mitoma to drive at McTominay.
He knocks it to Lamptey, who in turns plays in Gross.
And the German shimmies before smashing the ball past Onana.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
