In a surprising turn of events, Manchester United faced defeat at Old Trafford today, marking their first home Premier League loss in over a year.
The Red Devils found themselves trailing after just 20 minutes, with former striker Danny Welbeck striking once again. Despite being behind, United displayed dominance both before and after Brighton’s early goal.
As the match progressed, two more Brighton goals in the second half created a formidable challenge for United. However, Hannibal Mejbri provided a glimmer of hope with a brilliant long-range goal shortly after United went 3-0 down.
Here are five key takeaways from United’s Premier League loss:
1. Lazy Defending Strikes Again: United’s dominance in the first half was overshadowed by a lapse in concentration that allowed Brighton to counter-attack and take the lead. A Welbeck goal was almost inevitable, but the manner in which it occurred left fans frustrated.
2. Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund Shine: In the first half, Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund wreaked havoc on Brighton’s defense. However, missed opportunities left United facing an uphill battle in the second half.
3. Out-Classed by a Brilliant Brighton: While Brighton’s quality was evident in previous matches, the same issues persisted for United, resulting in a second-half collapse. The manner of defeat left fans concerned, especially considering United’s well-stocked midfield.
4. Hannibal Mejbri’s First Goal: Hannibal Mejbri’s stunning goal from 25 yards out provided a glimmer of positivity amidst a disappointing result. His brilliant finish demonstrated his potential at the highest level.
5. Andre Onana’s Disappointing Performance: Andre Onana, who had largely avoided criticism this season, had a subpar performance. Poor distribution and questionable goalkeeping contributed to a disappointing afternoon for the goalkeeper.
As United faces a trip to the Allianz Arena to take on Bayern Munich, there is much work to be done to address these concerns and bounce back from this unexpected defeat.