Manchester United suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford, deepening the struggles of manager Ruben Amorim. The match occurred on a day dedicated to honoring the late Denis Law, a United legend who passed away at 84.
Hopes of paying tribute to Law with a strong performance were dashed as United delivered a lackluster display, leaving them in 13th place in the Premier League table. While 10 points clear of the relegation zone, their ongoing defensive issues and inconsistency raise concerns about their survival in the league.
Brighton's Dominance
Brighton opened the scoring early, with Yankuba Minteh tapping in after Kaoru Mitoma’s decisive run and assist. United responded in the 23rd minute when Bruno Fernandes converted a penalty awarded for Carlos Baleba’s foul on Joshua Zirkzee. However, Brighton regained the lead in the second half. Mitoma found the net in the 60th minute, becoming the highest-scoring Japanese player in Premier League history with 15 goals.
Andre Onana’s costly mistake in the 76th minute sealed United’s fate. The goalkeeper failed to handle a routine cross, allowing Georginio Rutter to score Brighton’s third, leading many United fans to leave the stadium early.
Denis Law Remembered
The match was marked by tributes to Denis Law, who remains a revered figure in United’s history. Fans left flowers and scarves at the “Holy Trinity” statue outside the stadium, while a minute’s applause and a eulogy were held in his honor. Law, who battled Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia, was a key part of United’s success in the 1960s, including their historic European Cup victory in 1968.
The defeat underscores the challenges facing Ruben Amorim, who has now overseen six losses in 11 league matches since taking charge. Defensive frailties and errors, particularly from goalkeeper Onana, continue to undermine the team’s efforts.
Brighton, meanwhile, showcased their strong form, winning six of their last seven league encounters with United.
