A disastrous error from Manchester United goalkeeper Andre Onana gifted Brighton & Hove Albion a 3-1 victory at Old Trafford, condemning the Red Devils to their fourth home defeat in five Premier League matches.
Brighton were already leading 2-1 thanks to goals from Yankuba Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma when Onana’s howler gifted substitute Georginio Rutter a simple tap-in. The Cameroonian goalkeeper inexplicably fumbled a routine cross from Yasin Ayari in the 73rd minute, leaving Rutter with the easiest of finishes.
The defeat leaves Manchester United languishing in the bottom half of the table, with manager Ruben Amorim facing increasing pressure to turn their fortunes around. They have now lost four of their last six league matches and are seven points adrift of 10th-placed Fulham.
Brighton were deserving winners, controlling the game for large spells and creating numerous chances. Minteh opened the scoring early on, finishing off a flowing move, before Fernandes briefly levelled the score for United with a penalty in the 23rd minute. Mitoma restored Brighton’s lead with a close-range header on the hour mark, capitalizing on a chipped cross from Minteh.
Contrasting Fortunes
This latest defeat highlights United’s ongoing struggles under Amorim. Despite some promising performances against Liverpool and Arsenal, they have been unable to find consistency and remain a long way from challenging for a top-four spot. Amorim has warned of “major bumps in the road” and even suggested that his team are in a relegation battle following a recent home defeat. While relegation may seem unlikely, their current form suggests that a top-10 finish is also a distant prospect.
Brighton, meanwhile, continue their impressive form under manager Fabian Hurzeler. This victory keeps them in contention for European qualification and extends their impressive record against United, having now won six of their last seven meetings. It was the Seagulls’ sixth win in seven meetings with United, while Manchester City are the only club to have emulated their achievement of winning three games on the trot at Old Trafford in the Premier League era.
Onana’s howler will be a major source of frustration for United fans. The goalkeeper, who arrived from Inter Milan in the summer, has made a number of high-profile errors this season. This latest mistake proved costly, gifting Brighton a crucial victory. United face a daunting task to turn their season around, with significant changes needed to improve their squad and challenge for a place in the top half of the table. Brighton, on the other hand, will be looking to maintain their momentum and secure European qualification.
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