Manchester United’s 3-1 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday exposed the club’s deepening struggles, continuing a dismal run under manager Ruben Amorim.
Despite their stature, United’s performance lacked any sense of dominance, making Brighton’s victory seem almost routine rather than a shock.
A Familiar Pattern
Brighton’s third consecutive win at Old Trafford underlines how far United have fallen.
Amorim, acknowledging the gravity of the situation, stated:
“We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United… It’s unacceptable to lose so many games, especially for a club like this.”
While Brighton arrived with just one win in nine prior league matches, they dominated United with ease.
They capitalized on an André Onana error for their third goal, epitomizing United’s fragility.
In contrast, United registered just one shot on target, a Bruno Fernandes penalty, and failed to create any meaningful chances from open play.
Historical Lows
The defeat marked United’s sixth loss in their first 12 home league matches this season—their worst start since the 1893-94 campaign, when the club was still called Newton Heath.
Amorim’s tenure has seen seven losses in his first 15 games, a record only previously matched after the Munich air disaster in 1958.
Tactical and Mental Struggles
Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler praised his team’s maturity, stating,
“We controlled the game and created chances. The guys looked confident.”
By contrast, United appeared disjointed, struggling to break down Brighton’s organized setup.
Amorim’s inability to inspire consistency is evident, with wins against top teams like Manchester City and Arsenal offset by defeats to struggling sides like Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.
A Grim Outlook
With United languishing in 13th place and just 10 points above the relegation zone, their next five fixtures—against lower-table sides like Fulham and Everton—are crucial.
Failure to capitalize could see United slip dangerously close to the drop zone.
Amorim’s admission captures the gravity of the situation:
“We need to survive now.”
The once-proud club is now fighting for relevance, haunted by its illustrious past and struggling to find a way forward.
