Man Utd Player Ratings vs Brighton: Maguire and Fernandes disappoint, Diallo and Garnacho get 7/10

Manchester United suffered their first defeat of the season through a late knockout punch from Brighton & Hove Albion.

Erik ten Hag named an unchanged side that registered a narrow 1-0 victory over Fulham last week.

Former United striker Danny Welbeck put the Seagulls in front with a typical finish.

Brighton played with a high back-line and laid effective offside traps. United players were caught offside six times.

Amad Diallo’s deflected strike brought parity to the scoreline on the hour mark.

Alejandro Garnacho thought he scored the match-winner, but the ball struck Joshua Zirkzee, who was in an offside position, before hitting the net.

Joao Pedro utilised a lapse in defence from United to score the decisive goal in the 95th minute.

Let’s head into the player ratings.

Player Ratings

Andre Onana – 6/10

Little he could do about either goal. He played some good long passes from the back, including the one for Diogo Dalot.

Noussair Mazraoui – 6/10

Mazraoui should have dealt with Mitoma’s cross for Welbeck’s goal. His through ball to Diallo helped him earn his first assist of the campaign.

Harry Maguire – 3/10

A solid showing against Fulham allowed him to keep his place, but he was disappointing today.

He should have cut out the cross that led to Brighton’s first goal. A more proactive centre-back would have made an interception.

Lisandro Martinez – 5/10

Still finding his feet this season. He was out of his position for Welbeck’s tap-in.

Diogo Dalot – 7/10

He made a fantastic cross from his left foot to Amad Diallo early in the game. He came close to finding the top corner, but his right-footed shot just went over the bar.

The full-back also made a crucial goal-line clearance to avoid James Milner’s strike to double the home side’s lead.

Casemiro – 6/10

A fine defensive showing from the veteran, making five tackles and winning six of his eight duels. However, United missed his creativity from midfield.

Kobbie Mainoo – 6/10

His deft touch to Mazraoui for Diallo’s goal should not go unnoticed. He finished the game with 91 per cent passing accuracy.

Mason Mount – 6/10

One of United’s better players but was substituted at half-time due to an injury.

Marcus Rashford – 5/10

The England international thought he had scored, but his strike was correctly ruled offside.

He failed to beat the offside trap and looked ineffective in attack. Ten Hag took him off for Alejandro Garnacho with the scoreline 1-1.

Amad Diallo – 7/10

The youngster had a glorious chance to put United ahead through Dalot’s magical delivery, but he miscued his shot.

Restored parity for his side by cutting inside and firing a shot that took a deflection before hitting the net.

Bruno Fernandes – 4/10

The experiment of starting him as a false nine should stop. He is a world-class number ten, and the manager must put him back in his favoured position.

Substitutes

Joshua Zirkzee – 5/10

Zirkzee went from hero to villain in the space of one week. His contact with the ball took the potential match-winning goal away from Garnacho.

He fashioned an excellent chance for Fernandes, but United fans will expect more from him as a striker.

Alejandro Garnacho – 7/10

He comes on the pitch with a positive energy and looks to turn the tide. He almost achieved the feat, but Zirkzee’s offside touch changed the narrative.

Ten Hag cannot keep him on the bench for one-third of the game.

Matthijs de Ligt – 6/10

He looks like a player who is eager to start. After a disappointing display from Maguire, his full debut could be next week.

Scott McTominay – N/A

Too late to rate.

Antony – N/A

Too late to rate.