Manchester United defeated Brighton 2-0 at the Amex on Saturday, ensuring a successful conclusion to their Premier League campaign thanks to goals from Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund. Erik ten Hag’s team had looked awful for extended periods of time, so the Red Devils will consider themselves rather fortunate to have escaped. At times, the hosts had the better of the visitors, and if Brighton had found the net before Dalot finished off a fantastic ball from Casemiro and blasted into it, the visitors would have been destroyed.
In the first half hour, Brighton exerted great pressure on Ten Hag’s team, making it difficult for them to break out of their own half and create passing opportunities. The second half saw United appear a little more determined, but the Seagulls swiftly adjusted and Casemiro stopped a shot on the line to deny them a goal. The hosts were dominant and threatening and should have been dominating the Red Devils, but too many of their opportunities were ruined by blocks or bad finishing.
Hojlund’s arrival at the hour mark gave United a much-needed boost as he challenged for the ball and offered the Red Devils a goal to aim for up front. In addition to having a small impact on the first goal, he finished with a strong run and tuck into the net to make it 2-0.
Red Devils supporters will be worried about their team’s composition as they prepare to play Manchester City in the FA Cup final in an attempt to upset the English champions and win a trophy.
GOAL ranks the players for United from the Amex…
Goalkeeper & Defence
Andre Onana (6/10):
Pulled off a couple of decent saves to keep his team level.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (5/10):
A bit of a lackadaisical display at right-back as Brighton had plenty of space to work with on that side.
Casemiro (8/10):
Swept up really well in the centre of defence while many of his team-mates struggled. Made a vital goalline clearance early in the second half and his pass created the goal.
Lisandro Martinez (6/10):
His first start since February and made some key interventions to cut out the dominant hosts. Still not at his best in a disorganised team but Ten Hag will be glad to have him back for the FA Cup final.
Diogo Dalot (7/10):
Didn’t offer enough protection as Brighton kept coming at United but scored the crucial opening goal.
Midfield
Kobbie Mainoo (6/10):
Put in a lot of effort to drive United forward but did not have many good passing options or much help around him.
Sofyan Amrabat (4/10):
Kept on getting caught on the ball to give away possession in important areas, putting more pressure on his team.
Amad Diallo (6/10):
Dispossessed a few too many times and lost too many duels but put in a lot of effort to win the ball back.
Alejandro Garnacho (6/10):
Had a hard time getting time and space on the ball in the first half but had some bright moments.
Attack
Scott McTominay (4/10):
Did well to create a dangerous attack but sent the shot sailing over the bar and then wasted another chance in the second half.
Bruno Fernandes (6/10):
Saw a lot of the ball but couldn’t do much to lift his overwhelmed team before he went off at the hour mark.
Subs & Manager
Jonny Evans (6/10):
Replaced Martinez at the hour mark and looked fine.
Rasmus Hojlund (8/10):
Replaced Fernandes and provided a lift for United. His fight for the ball prevented Brighton from clearing it, allowing Casemiro’s pass to go through to Dalot for the first goal. Went on a good run and applied a nice finish for the second.
Raphael Varane (6/10):
Did a sound job beside Evans for the last 20 minutes of his final Premier League game for the Red Devils.
Marcus Rashford (5/10):
Didn’t have much impact on the game having come off the bench after the goal.
Christian Eriksen (6/10):
Was brought on at the same time as Rashford and linked with Hojllund for the goal.
Erik ten Hag (6/10):
His team did not look up for the battle in the beginning and fans will be worried by how flat they look just a week out from the FA Cup final. His changes did, however, have an impact as United secured the victory.
