By Samuel A. September 17, 2023
Manchester United’s dismal start to the new Premier League season hit a new low on Saturday afternoon as they lost 3-1 to Brighton for the fourth time in a row, ending their home game unbeaten run since their Brighton loss at the start of last season. This is also one of their poorest starts to the season, as they have lost three of their first five league games of a season, with the Old Trafford defeat ending a run of 20 games unbeaten at home in the Premier League.
It all started when Danny Welbeck was left unmarked as he tapped in from close range for the 20th minute opener. After the break, Pascal Gross doubled the visitors’ lead in the 53rd minute after feinting a shot, deceiving Lisandro Martinez and giving him enough space to shoot.
In a similar fashion, Joao Pedro was allowed plenty of space at the top of the area to curl home a delightful third in the 71st minute, just before Hannibal Mejbri netted home almost immediately for the hosts. However, it did not spark the comeback Old Trafford craved.
The result takes Manchester United to 12th place, winning just two of their opening five games. Meanwhile, Brighton jump up to fourth place after a fourth win in their opening five league games this season, boosting them further ahead of their first Europa League game on Thursday.
Inside six minutes, Rashford was expertly picked out by Reguilon, but the England forward’s effort was seen away by Jason Steele’s foot. Soon after, Hojlund almost opened his Premier League account on his first start for the club, however, he could not quite reach Rashford’s low pass.
Just before the last Rashford miss, Hojlund thought he had equalised for Man Utd in the 40th minute. However, Rashford’s cross into the area had gone out of play before he delivered, with the Dane’s strike correctly ruled out by VAR.
There were loud boos around Old Trafford as Hojlund was replaced by Antony Martial in the 64th minute. The afternoon deteriorated further as Brighton added a third. A far better cutback from Lamptey found an unmarked Pedro at the top of the area and it was a sweet strike that beat Onana.
Just as Man Utd fans started heading for the exits, their team pulled a goal back almost immediately. It was ultimately a speculative effort from Mejbri, who fired home into the bottom corner from 25 yards out.
The Red Devils would look to return to winning ways as they face Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena on Wednesday.
