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Man Utd player ratings gallery v Brighton as four score 4/10 on disastrous day with only one 'bright spot'

Adam Lord
·3-min read
It was a day to forget for Manchester United against Brighton.
It was a day to forget for Manchester United against Brighton.

Manchester United’s worrying start to the season continued with a 3-1 defeat against Brighton at Old Trafford.

The game started at a frantic pace with the hosts on the front foot, Marcus Rashford denied inside the opening five minutes after a jinking run into the box before nearly laying on a first United goal for Rasmus Hojlund.

But after settling into the game it was the visitors who went in front through a familiar face. The Seagulls worked the ball down the right and it was all too easy for Danny Welbeck to feed Simon Adingra who crossed for the former United man to slot home with 20 minutes on the watch.

Some dicey passing had Old Trafford nervy and was well beaten for the first two goals before getting a touch on the third.
Some dicey passing had Old Trafford nervy and was well beaten for the first two goals before getting a touch on the third.

That brought an abrupt end to a promising start but Rashford did see a deflected shot rattle the bar just after the half hour.

United thought their leveller had come five minutes before the interval but what appeared to be Hojlund’s first goal for the club was chalked off with Rashford deemed to have taken the ball out of play in the build-up after a lengthy VAR check.

Ten Hag’s side were flat at the start of the second half and were made to pay eight minutes after the interval. Pascal Gross had the freedom of Old Trafford to saunter into the area and fire low past a helpless Andre Onana.

It went from bad to worse when Tariq Lamptey sauntered down the right and squared for Joao Pedro to make it 3-0.

Preferred to Wan-Bissaka at right back. Took a heavy challenge early on and stuck to his task for the most part. Third goal came down his vacant flank.
Preferred to Wan-Bissaka at right back. Took a heavy challenge early on and stuck to his task for the most part. Third goal came down his vacant flank.

But United hit back almost instantly with Hannibal scoring his first Premier League goal with a low shot from 20 yards. There was no way back though with loud boos greeting the final whistle.

Given the nod ahead of Harry Maguire with Raphael Varane injured but was far from convincing on the ball or defensively. Damning for the England man that he can’t get in this backline.
Given the nod ahead of Harry Maguire with Raphael Varane injured but was far from convincing on the ball or defensively. Damning for the England man that he can’t get in this backline.
Remains some way from his best form and was beaten all too easily for Gross’ goal.
Remains some way from his best form and was beaten all too easily for Gross’ goal.
Made his debut at left back and flew into challenges early on but the opener came down his side. Showed more endeavour than most though.
Made his debut at left back and flew into challenges early on but the opener came down his side. Showed more endeavour than most though.
Some good passes here and there but remains at the heart of United’s issues - an absent midfield.
Some good passes here and there but remains at the heart of United’s issues - an absent midfield.
Back in the side but in truth was largely anonymous over the course of the afternoon on the right of a diamond midfield.
Back in the side but in truth was largely anonymous over the course of the afternoon on the right of a diamond midfield.
Fine bit of skill early on got the crowd on their feet but after that, didn’t offer much on another poor day in the middle of the park for United.
Fine bit of skill early on got the crowd on their feet but after that, didn’t offer much on another poor day in the middle of the park for United.
Started at the head of the diamond but popped up all over the park - including right back. Tried desperately to get United going but to no avail.
Started at the head of the diamond but popped up all over the park - including right back. Tried desperately to get United going but to no avail.
A hard performance to judge. United’s most likely threat, hit the bar and nearly provided goals for others. But too often lacking end product.
A hard performance to judge. United’s most likely threat, hit the bar and nearly provided goals for others. But too often lacking end product.
Came so close to a first United goal on a couple of occasions - none more so than when seeing a goal ruled out by VAR shortly before the break after Rashford had taken the ball out of play. Nice touches here and there but will need more service going forwards.
Came so close to a first United goal on a couple of occasions - none more so than when seeing a goal ruled out by VAR shortly before the break after Rashford had taken the ball out of play. Nice touches here and there but will need more service going forwards.
Loud boos as he entered the pitch in place of Hojlund and hardly justified Ten Hag’s decision to chuck him on.
Loud boos as he entered the pitch in place of Hojlund and hardly justified Ten Hag’s decision to chuck him on.
The bright spot on a dark day at Old Trafford. Took his goal really well and showed the energy you’d expect from a prospect out to impress.
The bright spot on a dark day at Old Trafford. Took his goal really well and showed the energy you’d expect from a prospect out to impress.
A late arrival when the game was gone.
A late arrival when the game was gone.
Dropped out of the side and had little chance to make an impact late on.
Dropped out of the side and had little chance to make an impact late on.
Played one decent cross after coming on late on down the right
Played one decent cross after coming on late on down the right