Doesn’t it feel like we have seen this movie before? An underwhelming start to the league season coupled with dismal cup form (see Erik ten Hag and Ruben Amorim).
Michael Carrick is skating on thin ice after his Man United side lost 3-2 against a heavily rotated Brighton side in the Carabao Cup. Carrick should write a book called “How to lose games and alienate people”. First, they somehow managed to lose a Manchester derby at home to ten-man City. Now they blow a two-goal lead against Brighton (also at the Theatre of Dreams). It’s like they are testing the limits of the United faithful. Anyway, here are my player ratings from United’s latest act of footballing Seppuko.
GK: Karl Darlow- 4/10
Caught in no-man’s land for the first goal but couldn’t do too much about the others. Dawdled in possession towards the end, with United fans were baying for him to release the ball to feet. Never inspired too much confidence when flapping at some early crosses.
RB: Diego Dalot- 2/10
Really a cut and paste Diego Dalot outing, wasn’t it? Absolutely shocking again from the under-fire fullback. I lost count of the number of times he lost possession. It was his pointless punt up field that resulted in the 3rd goal. At least Luke Shaw has a certain level of quality when he is fit. Dalot is like Man United’s Forrest Gump, ghosting his way through almost a decade of football without anyone noticing. The performances against City and Brighton may be the worst back-to-back showings I have seen in some time.
CB: Lenny Yoro- 3/10
This whole Lenny Yoro thing just doesn’t look like it’s going to happen. Lest we forget, the United hierarchy dished out the better part of £50 million on him back in 2024. He looks like an amalgamation of Kounde and Van Djik, but plays like David Luiz. His ill-judged attempt to pinch the ball on the halfway line directly led to Brighton’s winner. He is clearly not ready to be a regular first-team player.
CB: Ayden Heaven- 3/10
Nothing heavenly about his performance last night. Looked completely out of his depth, misjudging the flight for Brighton’s first goal. Got caught out of position constantly, too easily sucked into meaningless areas of the pitch.
LB: Noussair Mazraoui- 4/10
I think Mazraoui started the game quite well but never looked the same after taking a heavy first-half knock. Started to lose possession too easily and was completely torn apart during the 3rd goal. Those fullback positions are an absolute horror-show right now. But don’t worry, you have Lewis Hall next summer (the same Lewis Hall who just signed new five-year contract extension at his beloved Newcastle).
CM: Andrey Santos- 5/10
Pulled off a few impressive interceptions but was far less dynamic in possession. He is starting to feel like the odd man out in this United midfield rebuild. Mainoo and Tielemans have the gig for now while Baleba will certainly have a say when he is back to full fitness. Where does Santos fit into the picture?
CM: Youri Tielemans – 6/10
The superior central midfielder, Tielemans showed some nice little nuanced touches throughout the match. Had a hand in the first goal and sprayed the ball quite well on occasion. Had one lovely drop of the shoulder but was also overwhelmed by the Brighton midfield.
AM: Mason Mount- 5/10
Looked lively in the early stages, leading the press and bundling in United’s 2nd. Went missing after that. It’s hard to judge him considering how little football he has played. I’m still not entirely sure what his best position is.
LW: Marcus Rashford- 7/10
United’s best player by a country mile. Rampaged down Brighton right-hand flank with impunity, often leaving Vuksovic and co in tatters with his speed and skill. He also played a big role in the 2nd goal. I have noticed that he hasn’t been shooting as much as he did in his United pomp (perhaps that’s a result of playing in that tiki-taka Barca side last season). Should have equalized when 1-on-1 with Steele but was still the only player who really expressed himself going forward.
RW: Shea Lacey- 6/10
Opened the scoring in stunning fashion, cutting in from that right-hand side before rasping a shot in at Steele’s near post. Carrick would have been pleased to see an academy product thrive given the fallout of the JJ Gabriel saga. But Lacey had very little impact otherwise, suffering as the clever Brighton side just bopped the ball around.
ST: Benjamin Sesko- 4/10
I feel a little sorry for the big Slovenian. Some United fans genuinely thought that his reintroduction to the squad would paper over some of their fundamental issues. Sesko looked short of match fitness and the ball just never stuck to him. Never really got any real support from wide areas.
Subs
Joshua Zirkzee 66th for Shay Lacey- 3/10
Hustled and bustled with very little impact. I don’t even understand why Carrick persists with him. Got hilariously nutmegged later in the game. His entire United career has felt like a huge nutmeg.
Bryan Mbeumo 66th for Benjamin Sesko- 4/10
Virtually anonymous. When Mbeumo is anonymous, it’s like he’s in a witness protection program. Once again, Carrick’s substitutions made little to no impact on the match.
Kobbie Mainoo 66th for Andrey Santos- 4/10
Mainoo was by far United’s best player against City, but he offered very little when he came on last night. If anything, United looked worse after Carrick made his raft of substitutions.
Bruno Fernandes 73rd for Mason Mount- 6/10
Showed his class with a cheeky little flick to send Rashford through on goal. He gave United a tiny glimmer of impetus going forward but it was too much for one man to do. That midfield was absolutely eviscerated.
Matheus Cunha 80th for Marcus Rashford – n/a (too short to get a rating)
