Manchester United's season plunged deeper into crisis as Brighton & Hove Albion secured a memorable 1-0 victory at Old Trafford, completing their first-ever league double over the struggling giants.
Historic Humiliation at the Theatre of Dreams
The Seagulls flew into Manchester and delivered a performance that highlighted the growing chasm between United's illustrious past and their troubled present. Joao Pedro's second-half header proved decisive, but the scoreline barely reflected Brighton's dominance throughout the match.
Erik ten Hag's side looked bereft of ideas and confidence, managing just a single shot on target despite playing in front of their home supporters. The defeat leaves United languishing in eighth position, their hopes of European qualification hanging by a thread.
Brighton's Tactical Masterclass
Roberto De Zerbi's men executed their game plan to perfection, controlling possession and creating the better chances throughout. The visitors could have won by a more significant margin had they been more clinical in front of goal.
Key moments that defined the match:
- Joao Pedro's powerful 68th-minute header breaking the deadlock
- Multiple wasted opportunities by Brighton's attacking players
- United's toothless response despite late pressure
- The home crowd's growing frustration becoming increasingly audible
Ten Hag Under Mounting Pressure
This latest setback piles more pressure on manager Erik ten Hag, whose position becomes increasingly precarious with each poor result. United have now lost 18 matches across all competitions this season - their highest tally since the 1977-78 campaign.
"We have to be critical of ourselves," admitted Ten Hag in his post-match interview. "The performance wasn't good enough. We had our chances but we didn't take them, and we were punished."
With just three Premier League matches remaining, United face an uphill battle to salvage anything from what has become another disappointing campaign. The summer promises significant changes at Old Trafford, with new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe expected to oversee major restructuring.
Meanwhile, Brighton continue to impress under De Zerbi, consolidating their position as one of the Premier League's most exciting and well-coached teams.
