Brighton manager slams Manchester United star after key moment in Old Trafford defeat

Manchester United suffered a 3-1 defeat to Brighton in their Premier League encounter at Old Trafford on Sunday afternoon.

Ruben Amorim’s side fell behind just five minutes in, as a defensive lapse allowed Brighton to exploit them with an over-the-top through-ball that breached the backline.

United responded positively, earning a penalty after Joshua Zirkzee was brought down in the box. Bruno Fernandes stepped up and confidently converted from the spot to equalize.

However, the Reds struggled to build momentum, and Brighton regained control in the second half, netting a deserved goal to reclaim the lead.

Despite applying some pressure late on, a costly error by André Onana gifted the visitors a third goal, sealing their victory and putting the game beyond United’s reach.

Brighton boss Hürzeler unimpressed by Dalot

Before the visitors took the lead for the second time in the second half, they thought they scored after the ball fell to Joao Pedro inside the box and he finished well.

However, shortly afterwards, the goal was ruled out for a foul on Diogo Dalot by VAR after Jan Paul van Hecke kicked the bottom of the defender’s boot in the buildup to the goal.

Brighton manager Fabian Hürzeler was far from pleased with Dalot, who he believed milked the challenge with an over-the-top reaction.

When the United fullback was on the sidelines after he received treatment, Simon Stone noticed that Hürzeler went over to the player and told him that “he made the most of” the foul.

Unfortunately for United, it didn’t mean much in the grand scheme of things as they could not capitalise afterwards and Brighton punished the home side.

United must change at wingback

United need improvements in many areas but it just feels pointless to be using two fullbacks in these wingback positions.

Noussair Mazraoui looked promising in the back three in Amorim’s opening games but has yet to perform as a wingback. The same can be said for Dalot.

Amorim’s system is built around these two players and it just isn’t enough, the club are also reportedly planning to let Antony and Tyrell Malacia leave on loan this month.

There must be at least one wingback signed in the summer window and perhaps some shuffling in the squad.

Could you promote a player from the youth teams? Bendito Mantato is one player who may be able to play in the role. Amorim must also consider Alejandro Garnacho in the position as he just doesn’t seem to suit the new role in the front three.

Whatever happens, it is quite clear that things cannot stay the same.

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