De Gea 8, Lindelof 8 - Man Utd ratings from 1-0 defeat to Brighton

Manchester United slumped to a heartbreaking 1-0 Premier League defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Thursday night.

After a hard-earned 1-0 home win over Aston Villa last Sunday extended the Red Devils’ unbeaten run in the Premier League to five games (W4, D1), confidence was high in the visiting camp ahead of the kick-off.

Erik ten Hag’s men were out to avenge a 2-1 defeat in the reverse fixture at Old Trafford and take another vital step to cement their quest for next season’s Champions League football. 

But the action was back and forth at the Amex in an intense first half, with both sides missing a few presentable opportunities to take the lead, resulting in a goalless half-time score. 

Unlike the first half, clear-cut chances were at a premium in the second 45 minutes despite a high tempo and both teams’ ambitions to break the impasse.

When it looked like United would leave the Amex unscratched, Luke Shaw was penalised for a handball in the box, giving Alexis Mac Allister a perfect chance to keep three points in Brighton.

The World Cup winner made no mistake from the spot, helping the Seagulls complete their first-ever Premier League double over Man Utd.

Ratings

David de Gea (8/10) – Called into action multiple times in the opening stage of play but was up to the task each time. Pulled off a couple of vital saves late in the match but couldn’t do anything to deny Mac Allister’s penalty.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka (6/10) – Dealing with Kaoru Mitoma’s blistering pace is one of the most formidable tasks in the Premier League, and the English right-back had to learn it the hard way. Invisible in attack as always.

Luke Shaw (6/10) – Played out of his comfort zone again and excelled as he has done so many times this season. Never put his foot wrong despite having had to cope with Brighton’s relentless pressure before giving away a cheap penalty in the dying moments.  

Victor Lindelof (8/10) – Another superb performance from the Swede that can encourage ten Hag amid the absence of his first-choice centre-back pairing. 

Diogo Dalot (6/10) – Not one of his best games this season, but still did enough to keep Facundo Buonanotte quiet despite playing out of position. 

Casemiro (6/10) – Worked his socks off to keep things tight in the middle of the park and came close to slotting home a thunderous half-volley. But lucky to avoid another expulsion. 

Fred (6/10) – Slotted in for Christian Eriksen, but despite fighting tooth and nail to regain possession, his wayward passing and decision-making let him down one too many times.

Antony (5/10) – A lack of support from Wan-Bissaka often left him in impossible situations in the front third. Left alone against the world, he looked powerless tonight.

Bruno Fernandes (7/10) – Inventive as ever, pulled all the strings in the front third and had a couple of decent attempts from mid-range. 

Marcus Rashford (6/10) – Used every pocket of space to get behind the enemy lines, yet selfishness displayed on several occasions didn’t go unnoticed. 

Anthony Martial (6/10) – Could’ve and should’ve converted one of his chances in the first half. Nowhere to be seen after the break.

Substitutes

Marcel Sabitzer (6/10) – Provided fresh legs and additional energy in the later stages but failed to make a difference. 

Jadon Sancho (3/10) – Twenty minutes on the pitch weren’t enough to earn him more than two touches with the ball.

Wout Weghorst – N/A

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