Manchester United suffered a crushing 2-1 defeat to Brighton in their second match of the new Premier League season. The loss came in dramatic fashion, with Brighton’s Joao Pedro scoring a decisive goal in the 95th minute, leaving the Red Devils heartbroken after a chaotic and intense game.
The match took place at The American Express Community Stadium, with Craig Pawson officiating. Manchester United had an early chance to take the lead when Diogo Dalot set up a perfect cross to Amad Diallo at the back post, but the Ivorian forward failed to capitalize, misfiring from close range.
Brighton made Manchester United pay for the missed opportunity when Danny Welbeck, a former Red Devil, opened the scoring in the 32nd minute with a precise finish. It was Welbeck’s sixth goal against his old club and the 100th of his professional career. United thought they had equalized shortly after, but Marcus Rashford’s goal was ruled out for offside, sending them into halftime trailing 1-0.
In the second half, Manchester United finally found a breakthrough. Amad Diallo redeemed himself with a deflected shot that found the back of the net, bringing the game level at 1-1. As the match progressed, United had another golden opportunity to take the lead when Alejandro Garnacho appeared to score, only for the goal to be disallowed. Joshua Zirkzee, United’s summer signing, made a critical error by touching the ball from an offside position, leading to the goal being overturned.
United’s misfortune only worsened in the dying moments of the game. Brighton pressed hard and from a late corner, Joao Pedro found the back of the net with a back post header in the 95th minute, securing a dramatic victory for the Seagulls.
