Report: Brighton 4 United 0
Manchester United were beaten 4-0 by Brighton and Hove Albion in the Premier League, in our penultimate encounter of the 2021/22 campaign.
Moses Caicedo had opened the scoring for the hosts early in the first half, before goals from Marc Cucurella, Pascal Gross and Leandro Trossard further compiled United's misery.
Bruno Fernandes and Edinson Cavani saw efforts well-saved and Cavani had a goal disallowed, but ultimately it was Brighton's day.
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As the action began on the south coast, the opening exchanges were largely played at the hosts' tempo, as United struggled to get hold of the ball.
With 15 minutes gone, Graham Potter’s side took the lead. Caicedo’s effort found the bottom corner from the edge of the area after the ball flew through a sea of bodies.
Alex Telles had tried to clear the initial cross, before the 20-year-old struck his first of the season, much to the delight of the home supporters.
Brighton continued their assault on the Reds' goal as the first half trickled on, with Pascal Gross continuing to cause problems down the left flank.
Leandro Trossard was another who looked ever-threatening for the Seagulls, as he and his team looked to exploit the Reds, in a bid to double their advantage.
Cristiano Ronaldo blasted over from a free-kick as United struggled to muster too many attacks.
Three minutes before the interval a long ball over United’s backline caused problems for Raphael Varane who failed to deal with it, but thankfully Danny Welbeck’s chipped effort sailed over the crossbar with De Gea stranded.
SECOND HALF - SEAGULLS SEAL IT
Soon after Ralf Rangnick had opted to make a double change at the start of the second half, Brighton added a second. Trossard did well to retain possesion on the left byline, as Cucurella slammed home the hosts second of the evening.
Moments later, Potter’s side had a third, as Gross coolly slotted past De Gea.
Things went from bad to worse on the hour-mark, as Trossard then added a fourth. Welbeck initially did well to sneak in behind United's backline, before Diogo Dalot’s attempted clearence came back off the Belgian international's chest from close range and rolled into the net.
Mata crossed wonderfully for substitute Cavani with 25 minutes remaining, but Sanchez leaped into action in the Brighton goal to deny the Uruguayan.
The Seagulls could have had a fifth as both Alexis Mac Allister and Gross continued to cause problems, but the ball came back off the woodwork and went wide following a strong intervention from Dalot.
Fernandes took aim from the edge of the area, stinging the palms of the home side's keeper once again.
Ralf Rangnick’s side continued to come forward despite the scoreline, with Harry Maguire’s header having to be pushed away by Sanchez. The ball did end up in the net as Cavani tapped home seconds later, but the offside flag was already up.
Welbeck fired inches wide from range as Potter’s men went in search of a fifth late on, but the Seagulls were unable to add to their tally further. The Reds now have a two-week break before our final game of the campaign, away to Crystal Palace.
United: De Gea, Dalot, Lindelof, Varane, Telles, McTominay, Matic (Fred 46), Mata (Maguire 70), Fernandes (c), Elanga (Cavani 46), Ronaldo.
Subs not used: Henderson, Fernandez, Jones, Wan-Bissaka, Lingard, Garnacho.
Booked: Ronaldo, Dalot.
Brighton: Sanchez; Cucurella, Dunk (c), Veltman; March (Lamptey 76), Bissouma, Caicedo, Trossard (Maupay 83); Gross, Mac Allister (Webster 67), Welbeck.
Subs not used: Steele, Lallana, Alzate, Duffy, Offiah, Ferguson.
Goals: Caicedo 15, Cucurella 49, Gross, 57, Trossard 60.