Brighton said farewell to Roberto De Zerbi and Manchester United can kiss goodbye to Europe unless they win the FA Cup final next weekend. On this evidence, it’s a huge ask.
Goals from Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund were enough to gave Erik ten Hag‘s side victory in the South Coast sunshine, but they are going to have play so much better to trouble Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday.
United could easily have suffered a fifth-straight defeat by the Seagulls, losing to Brighton having lost its shock value since Ten Hag was embarrassed in his first game in charge at Old Trafford at the start of last season.
Roberto De Zerbi’s side were better again for long periods here as the Italian signed off after two years as manager at the Amex Stadium, but they failed to make it count and were punished by late goals in the final quarter.
Victory meant United avoid finishing with their lowest-ever points total in the Premier League but not their lowest placing. Eighth position means they have lost out to Newcastle on goal difference for a Europa Conference spot following their rivals’ win at Brentford.
Rasmus Hojlund underlined his worth to Man United during their late 2-0 win at Brighton
Hojlund came off the bench to score United’s second in their final league match of the season
Erik ten Hag (right) has plenty of food for thought with the FA Cup final still to come for United
A two-goal win here still meant that they finish the Premier League season with a minus goal difference for the first time having conceded a club record 58 goals in the competition.
United’s only remaining route into Europe is to beat City in the Cup final and qualify for the Europa League. Missing out for only the second time since 1990 might not be the worst thing for a club that has struggled to find any form or fluency throughout a season riddled with injuries.
While Brighton fans unfurled the ‘Forza De Zerbi – Italian Job’ banner for the last time, Ten Hag can only hope that Sir Jim Ratcliffe doesn’t decide that United need a new manager too. De Zerbi has been linked as a potential replacements, although the chances of that happening seem to be receding.
Such was the late announcement of his departure on Saturday that there was no mention of it in his final programme notes.
In the first half, his players gave him another vibrant performance that have become such a feature of his tenure. United, on the other hand, produced another of those disjointed displays that make you wonder what they have been doing on the training ground all week.
Ten Hag was able to give Lisandro Martinez his first start since the beginning of February in time for Wembley and bring back Raphael Varane on the bench after more than six weeks out. The Frenchman came on in the 69th minute for Sofyan Amrabat – who has impressed in recent games but struggled here – in a move which finally released Casemiro back into midfield.
A more telling substitution was the double change on the hour which saw Jonny Evans replace Martinez and, more importantly, Rasmus Hojlund come on for Bruno Fernandes.
The use of Fernandes and Scott McTominay as false nines again didn’t really work, and Hojlund gave United more of an attacking focus that changed the game.
Lisandro Martinez (right) his first United start since the February ahead of the FA Cup final
Diogo Dalot (right) wheels away after scoring Manchester United’s opener against Brighton
Dalot slotted home from close range after a burst from defence in the 73rd minute for United
Up until then, Brighton had bossed much of the match and created the best chances, notably when Aaron Wan-Bissaka cleared off the line from Joao Pedro and Martinez made a crucial interception to keep out Adam Webster’s header at a corner.
Webster glanced another header wide from Valentin Barco’s cross, Pedro whipped an effort wide of the far post, and Andre Onana kept out Barco’s shot with his left foot after Simon Adingra had turned Kobbie Mainoo and torn through the heart of United’s midfield.
The visitors’ chances were few and far between and McTominay wasted the best of them from a breakaway in the 26th minute, lifting the ball over the bar with only Jason Steele to beat after he was played in by Fernandes.
United’s lacklustre performance was summed up in added time at the end of the first half when Fernandes sent a corner over a crowded goalmouth and out of play, much to the delight of the Brighton fans.
They perked up in the second half and particularly after Hojlund’s arrival. When Evans floated a pass over the top in the 73rd minute, the Dane’s physical presence was enough to put off Igor Julio. The ball hit the defender’s hand and rolled into the path of Dalot who raced through to bury a shot past Steele.
Roberto De Zerbi applauds the Brighton fans ahead of kick-off in what was his final game there
The Brighton fans unfurled a banner thanking the Italian for his two years ahead of the match
De Zerbi embraces Ten Hag, in what could be his last Man United Premier League game too
The in the 88th minute, Hojlund exchanged passes with Christian Eriksen in midfield and drove past Julio before firing home.
If Ten Hag had any doubts about what system to play against City, Hojlund has put forward a strong argument to lead the attack at Wembley. United’s European ambitions depend on it.
