Manchester United will not be playing Champions League football next season after being thrashed 4-0 by Brighton on Saturday, putting them out of contention for a top-four finish.
United went into the game knowing that a minor miracle was required. Arsenal led Manchester United by four points with two games remaining, therefore the Red Devils needed to win both of their remaining games while hoping Arsenal and Tottenham did not pick up any points.
Not only did they lose, but their European dream came crashing down in a spectacular way as Graham Potter’s Brighton completely dominated them.
58 – Manchester Unitedβs defeat leaves them on 58 points with just one Premier League game remaining this season, guaranteeing that 2021-22 will see their lowest ever points total in a campaign in the competition (previously 64 in 2013-14). Rebuild? pic.twitter.com/LLQS4LTEy8
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 7, 2022
Ralf Rangnick’s side didn’t put up much of a fight from the start, and Brighton’s Moises Caicedo scored the game’s first goal. Marc Cucurella, Pascal Gross, and Leandro Trossard scored in the second half for the hosts, who were unlucky not to go ahead before the break.
United have already conceded more goals in a single league season than they have in any other, and the result ensures that they will finish with their lowest Premier League points total ever. Brighton are now ninth in the Premier League table, looking for their first-ever top-half finish, while United are still sixth.
Brighton made a strong start and were rewarded after 15 minutes when Caicedo scored with a precise finish through the legs of Victor Lindelof.
Danny Welbeck pounced on Raphael Varane’s fumbled clearance with David de Gea off his line shortly before the break, and the hosts were unlucky not to double their lead. The former England international, on the other hand, sailed his attempt agonisingly over the bar.
Rangnick made a half-time substitution, sending on Fred and Edinson Cavani in place of Anthony Elanga and Nemanja Matic, but Brighton still scored on 49 minutes through Cucurella. In space, the Spaniard collected a Leandro Trossard cross and drilled it past De Gea and into the top of the net.
On 57 minutes, Pascal Gross scored his third goal, completing a brilliant link of play that began with Roberto Sanchez from the back and ended with the German flicking the ball into the bottom-right corner after Cucurella and Trossard had worked it up the pitch.
Three minutes later, Brighton made it four, with Trossard bundling in from close range after Diogo Dalot had cleared a Welbeck chip off the line.
On 72 minutes, United appeared to have scored a consolation goal when Harry Maguire headed the ball goalwards for Cavani to tuck in, but the striker was adjudged to be offside, and the goal was disallowed, leaving Brighton with a clean sheet.
Our Three Points From The Match:
1. Erik Ten Hag have to deal with a much more bigger issue at Manchester United
This result seals Manchester United’s exit from the Champions League next season, which was always going to be a small miracle.
Erik ten Hag will have the Europa League to contend with when he arrives at Old Trafford in the summer, barring a spate of bizarre results, but that will be the least of his worries.
The depth with which United performed in the second half, as well as the ease with which Brighton cut through the backline, will be huge concerns.
Manchester United fans are singing "πππ'ππ πππ πππ ππ ππππ πππ πππππ" π΅ pic.twitter.com/04wadBUzcP
— GOAL (@goal) May 7, 2022
The Seagulls have never scored more than two goals in a game twice before today, and have developed a reputation as a goal-scoring squad. They didn’t have those issues tonight, and while Graham Potter’s team deserves credit, several of United’s defenders’ long-term futures must be questioned.
Ten Hag will hope that he can improve the majority of this United squad on the training field, but the issues could be psychological.
In recent weeks, interim manager Ralf Rangnick has watched his players practically check out on the pitch, and the next boss may have more problems than initially imagined.
2. Leandro Trossard single-handedly dominated United’s backline
Leandro Trossard is an interesting player for Brighton. To add to his recent outstanding performances, the Belgian attacker was in spectacular form versus United.
Trossard’s exquisite passes set up two of Brighton’s goals before he got in on the act himself, chipping the ball over the line after Danny Welbeck’s chip.
The 27-year-old now has eight goals and three assists, which is a respectable return, but it is the rising trajectory of his recent performances that should thrill the Brighton supporters. During the summer, the club may receive some offers for Trossard.
3. Brighton have a bright future under Graham Potter
Manchester United supporters may be disappointed by their qualification for one of Europe’s lower-tier competitions, but Brighton supporters may be dreaming of a European adventure.
Although it is doubtful, the Seagulls may still have a chance to qualify for the Europa Conference League. This result puts them up to ninth place in the Premier League, five points behind West Ham United, who are currently in seventh place.
It would take Brighton to win their last two games and the Hammers to go without a point in their last three. Although unlikely, it is not impossible.
Potter will have been beaming with delight at his squad’s performance today, which had all the makings of a team that should be playing in Europe. The future looks promising.
