MANCHESTER UNITED were not able to continue their winning start to the season as they were haunted by a familiar face and a devastating equaliser at The Amex.
Despite having chances early on in the game, Brighton took the lead as Harry Maguire was caught ball watching as Karou Mitoma controlled the ball and squared it for former forward Danny Welbeck to tap home.
Marcus Rashford thought he had levelled the scoring at the other end with a header less than 60 seconds after the ball hit the net, only for it to be ruled out for offside.
The Red Devils did eventually find their way back into the game, as Amad Diallo – who had devastatingly lost his mother in recent days – cut in on his left foot and slotted home with aplomb.
From there it was Erik ten Hag’s side who went hunting for a winner, and thought they’d put the nail in the coffin when Alejandro Garnacho hit a Bruno Fernandes pass off of Joshua Zirkzee and the net bulged.
Unfortunately for the travelling fans behind the goal that too, was ruled out by VAR.
As the clock ticked down to ninety minutes it was the home side who dominated possession, and with seven minutes of injury time added on, a hero emerged.
It was Joao Pedro who wondered in at the back post to direct a header perfectly into the bottom corner and secure all three points for the Seagulls, who now sit pretty at the top of the Premier League table.
Here’s how SunSport’s Lloyd Canfield rated every Man Utd performance…
ANDRE ONANA – 4/10
Not convincing from a goalkeeper we know can perform with the best in this league.
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His distribution still looked on the dangerous side of risky, and his inability to command the penalty area may well have cost his side.
NOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6
Claimed his first assist of the season with a pass into Amad Diallo for the equaliser, and impressed again going forwards for the Red Devils.
Has been a good upgrade on Wan-Bissaka judging by his opening performances in a United shirt.
HARRY MAGUIRE – 4
Was caught ball watching for Danny Welbeck’s opener, and was rendered useless after letting it run past him twice.
Improved in the second half with some crucial blocks and was decent in terms of building from the back, but his error may have cost his team three points.
LISANDRO MARTINEZ – 5
Not a particularly noticeable performance from ‘The Butcher’ in a positive or negative sense.
Suppose it was a solid showing but was also caught ball watching for the opening goal.
DIOGO DALOT – 7
Was unlucky not to have an assist in the first half, but played well and put the team on his back at times.
Made a crucial goal line block early on in the second half to deny Brighton a two-goal lead and played some good crosses throughout.
CASEMIRO – 6
Stepped into tackles well when required and is having something of a resurgence at the start of this season – doesn’t look as off the pace as he did last campaign.
His final ball was disappointing at times, but overall a solid showing.
KOBBIE MAINOO – 7
Composure personified, Kobbie played like a midfielder well beyond his years.
Was always on hand to break up play, a la N’Golo Kante, but showed a calmness and ability on the half-turn which really puts him up there with the best in the league – a great performance let down by that of his teammates.
MASON MOUNT – 5
Didn’t play badly in the first half, but also added nothing really going forward for this Man Utd team.
Hooked at half-time for the more threatening Joshua Zirkzee.
MARCUS RASHFORD – 6
Had a goal ruled out in the first half after he had persisted brilliantly to head home.
A little unlucky but it was still far from the finest Marcus Rashford performance we have seen, he looked a little low on confidence before being hooked for the more confident Garnacho.
AMAD DIALLO – 8
Had a great chance to open the scoring early on in the game as he arrived at the back post, but it wasn’t quite at the right height for him.
The young winger clearly has bundles of ability, and bagged the equaliser with a fine cut inside and finish with his left foot.
Worth a note that after losing his mother it takes a hell of a man to even be out on that pitch at 22-years-old. Well played Amad, we are with you.
BRUNO FERNANDES – 7
Cut a frustrated figure up front for Man Utd in the first half before thinking he’d bagged an assist when Alejandro Garnacho tapped home, only for it to be ruled out by VAR.
Just wasn’t his day today, but still created chances for his team and looked the most likely source of a winner for the Red Devils.
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JOSHUA ZIRKZEE (MASON MOUNT, 45) – 4
His only real action of note in the game was denying his team the winning goal.
Alejandro Garnacho had done the hard work and was about to give Man Utd the lead, only for Zirkzee to slide in and see it ruled out for offside.
His mistake did display an eagerness to score, but it was an error which cost his side nonetheless.
ALEJANDRO GARNACHO (MARCUS RASHFORD, 65) – 6
Did his job well in replacing Marcus Rashford and adding the end product which was needed by Erik ten Hag, but was robbed of a goal by his teammate as aforementioned.
Looks a danger whenever he plays on that left hand side, but after the goal that never was he was well defended for the remaining minutes.
SCOTT MCTOMINAY (BRUNO FERNANDES, 79) – 5
Bought on as a target man once again to try and get the winner for United, he wasn’t really provided with many opportunities in just over 10 minutes to really do that.
MATTHIJS DE LIGT (HARRY MAGUIRE, 79) – 5
Wasn’t really given enough of a chance to show what he is all about, but it’s minutes in the tank for the new man and he did what was asked of him after coming off the bench.
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ANTONY (AMAD DIALLO, 90) – 5
In fairness to him, made a good run as soon as he entered the pitch and crossed well for Scott McTominay.
However, he wasn’t given enough time to make any significant impact.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
