Man United 1-3 Brighton – PLAYER RATINGS: Which star had his worst game since moving to Old Trafford? And who failed to dominate after being exposed for the second goal?

Manchester United suffered a fourth defeat in five games at Old Trafford as Brighton claimed an impressive 3-1 victory.

Yankuba Minteh gave the visitors the lead in the fifth minute before Bruno Fernandes levelled from the spot.

United were coming off the back of a thrilling comeback win over Southampton in the week but there were no heroics this time.

Second half strikes from Kaoru Mitoma and Georginio Rutter saw the Seagulls take all three points, leaving the Red Devils in 13th. 

Mail Sport’s NATHAN SALT was on hand to cast his eye over both sets of players… 

MANCHESTER UNITED (3-4-2-1)

Andre Onana – 5

Hesitated when perhaps he needed to be more decisive and come and claim Yankuba Minteh’s right-wing cross which led to the second goal. 

Was let down by those in front of him when it came to the opener but made a colossus error spilling a cross which allowed Georginio Rutter to convert for 3-1.

Matthjis de Ligt – 5

Was left on his knees looking to the sky when he completely misjudged where Rutter was and he reacted too late to rectify it once Onana spilled the cross. 

Was solid for large spells but his positional awareness can often let him down at crucial times.

Harry Maguire – 5.5

Misjudged the defensive line to play Kaoru Mitoma onside for the first goal but soon settled into a rhythm. 

Amorim likes to protect his lack of pace by quicker players alongside him and while he marshalled Danny Welbeck well, those either side of him lost their match-ups and he had too much to do.

Leny Yoro – 6

Was shifted out to the left side of the back three after a difficult night at right centre back against Southampton on Thursday. 

Much like Thursday night, he was given limited protection or help from his wing-back and he continues to be left isolated. One of the few players who was progressive when he had the ball, though, which will please his manager.

Noussair Mazraoui – 4

Completely lost sight of Mitoma as he spun in behind with ease before teeing up Yakumba Minteh for a tap-in for the opener and then lost track of Mitoma for the second, with the Japanese converting on the stretch. His worst game since joining in the summer by some distance.

Kobbie Mainoo – 6

Continues to be neat and tidy but United need him to put a greater stamp on games if they are to return to the upper echelons of the table. Got the better of his battle with Carlos Baleba which he deserves credit for.

Manuel Ugarte – 5

Got exposed on the breakaway by Yasin Ayari en route to Brighton’s second goal and, as he did against Southampton, found it difficult to establish much dominance at all in the midfield battle.

Diogo Dalot – 6

Back in the team following his suspension on Thursday, he found life very difficult up against Minteh and as a result found it tough to offer any sort of meaningful presence in attacking phases of play. 

Did make a crucial block to deny Danny Welbeck towards the end of the first half.

Bruno Fernandes – 6.5

Was the coolest man in the stadium when he sent Brighton goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen the wrong way from the penalty spot to level this contest up. Cut a frustrated figure thereafter as his final balls flew over or wide.

Amad Diallo – 7

Again United’s most dangerous and dynamic player but this time even he could not produce the rescue act required to spare United’s blushes. 

His directness keeps full-backs honest but carrying the sole creative responsibility isn’t going to work forever. Needs team-mates to step up or he’ll be marked out of these games.

Joshua Zirkzee – 6

Deserves an immense amount of credit for not letting his humiliating first half substitution against Newcastle United go on to define him in a United shirt. 

It was his hassling that won United the penalty when he was wrestled to the ground by Carlos Baleba. Offered useful physicality in both boxes, even in defeat.

MANAGER: Ruben Amorim – 5

Never gets too high, or too low, after matches and that’s perhaps because he knows the rollercoaster nature of this job and this club. 

Tinkered with his side here but could not find the answer to limit the influence of Mitoma and Minteh on the wings. That was where this game was won and lost.

SUBSTITUTES 

Toby Collyer (for Manuel Ugarte, 64) – 5

Alejandro Garnacho (for Kobbie Mainoo, 64) – 6

Rasmus Hojlund (for Joshua Zirkzee, 84)

Antony (for Noussair Mazraoui, 84)

BRIGHTON (4-2-3-1)

Verbruggen 6; Veltman 6.5, Van Hecke 6, Dunk 7, Estupinan 5 (Lamptey 84); Baleba 6, Ayari 6.5; Minteh 7.5 (March 69, 6), Pedro 7, Mitoma 8.5; Welbeck 6.5 (Rutter 69, 7)