It is another day to forget for Manchester United supporters as Brighton collected three points at Old Trafford for the third successive season.
Familiar frailties reared their unmistakable heads with a plethora of forgettable moments and questionable individual decisions proving costly in a 3-1 defeat.
From suspect defending, a shambolic goalkeeping error from United’s number 24 and bizarre officiating, this one-time English giant continues to wilt beneath expectations.
A new day in Manchester as the same issues surface
Ruben Amorim rang the changes, with Diogo Dalot returning to the starting XI after serving a one-match suspension.
Lisandro Martinez, Alejandro Garnacho and Rasmus Hojlund dropped to the bench for Harry Maguire, Dalot and Joshua Zirkzee – with the Dutchman impressing in cameos against Arsenal and Southampton.
A host of legendary figures took their place at pitchside with Sir Alex Ferguson to pay their respects to Denis Law as both teams walked out to a memorable rendition of ‘Flower of Scotland’ on bagpipes.
An emotional Old Trafford erupted in recognition of their King as play got underway, with United settling confidently during the early stages.
However, as has been the case lately, the visitors took their lead through some questionable defending inside five minutes.
Kaoru Mitoma broke beyond Noussair Mazraoui, latching onto a 60-yard long ball before squaring to Yankuba Minteh for a routine finish past a helpless Andre Onana.
To their credit, United responded well, feeding off the energy of the Stretford End and pressing high with an encouraging tempo to the play.
Peter Bankes was tasked with officiating the fixture and raised more than a few eyebrows with a barrage of questionable decisions that irritated the home contingent.
He had no choice but to award a penalty to Amorim’s men after 21 minutes played following a bizarre wrestling-like challenge by Carlos Baleba on Zirkzee.
Much to the bemusement of those in attendance, the Cameroonian remained on the field as Bruno Fernandes casually converted from the spot to deservedly level the tie.
The home side was good value for their goal and continued to probe afterwards. But despite the best efforts of both, it remained level up to the break with plenty of focus on the man with the whistle.
He left the field to a chorus of jeers from a perplexed Manchester contingent.
It was far from the highest-quality half of football you will ever see, but both supporters enjoyed ample periods of pressure with the prospect of an intriguing second half.
Neither manager opted to make a change at the break, with the sides restarting similarly to the first.
Play ebbed and flowed throughout the opening exchanges until Brighton profited from a deep set piece with Joao Pedro smashing a ricocheted ball home from five yards.
However, VAR spotted an infringement from Jan Paul van Hecke on Dalot in the buildup, and Bankes correctly ruled the goal out via an on-field check.
But the Seagulls took much encouragement from the passage and eventually took the lead five minutes later through the impressive Mitoma.
A superb Minteh cross to the back post was guided home by the outstretched leg of his teammate.
Amorim responded by withdrawing Manuel Ugarte and Kobbie Mainoo for Garnacho and Toby Collyer, attempting to bolster their energy and tempo in attack.
The 20-time English champions responded and earned back-to-back set-pieces, although Brighton remained assured in their structure.
Despite powering forward for an equaliser, the often-maligned Onana gifted the guests a third after 74 minutes.
Solly March worked a splendid pass to the onrushing Yasin Ayari, who delivered an overhit cross into the path of the shot-stopper. Inexplicably, the keeper parried the effort into the path of Georginio Rutter for a simple tap-in.
Disbelief was the general feeling on the ground.
In one final roll of the dice, the Portuguese chief introduced Hojlund and Antony for Zirkzee and Mazraoui.
Agonisingly, for the second successive week, Manchester United required a sprinkle of magic heading towards the final whistle.
Eight minutes of added time was a welcome sight for those left inside the ground, with history highlighting the possibilities of what can occur at the Theatre of Dreams.
But, the visitors remained composed and looked the most likely to add another goal, seeing off any threat to seal three points.
Brighton have earned three successive victories at Old Trafford, equalling Manchester City’s record in the North West. United sit 13th on 26 points, 12 of the Champions League places and 10 safe from relegation.
It’s another forgettable day for Ruben Amorim and this troubled Manchester United squad ahead of Thursday’s Europa League visit of Scottish giants Rangers.
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