EPL: Manchester United suffer 3-1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford

Manchester United faced a challenging match at Old Trafford, succumbing to a 3-1 loss against Brighton as discontent from the home crowd was directed at manager Erik ten Hag.

Ten Hag faced criticism for his decision to substitute Rasmus Hojlund with Anthony Martial 19 minutes into the second half. This move did not resonate well with the supporters, resulting in a chorus of boos throughout the stadium, although Hojlund was later applauded off the field.

The substitution failed to alter the course of the game for United, who were already trailing due to a first-half goal from former home favorite Danny Welbeck.

Brighton continued their momentum in the second half, with goals from Pascal Gross and substitute Joao Pedro, both capitalizing on ample space around the United penalty box. Hannibal Mejbri’s inaugural goal for United offered a glimmer of hope, but the visitors remained a persistent threat, forcing goalkeeper Andre Onana to make four outstanding saves, including a crucial stoppage-time denial against Ansu Fati.

This defeat marked Manchester United’s first home loss in 13 months, with Brighton extending their dominance over the hosts, securing four successive Premier League wins.

The match’s conclusion was met with further disapproval from the fans, although not as vehement as when Hojlund was substituted. Ten Hag’s team has now conceded 10 goals in their last four games, experiencing a defensive struggle unseen since 1979, conceding more than one goal in four consecutive league matches.