Bruno Fernandes endured another difficult day as Manchester United succumbed to a 3-1 defeat against Brighton at Old Trafford. Carlos Baleba added to the pain by taunting United immediately after the match.
The United captain scored a penalty to bring the hosts level after Yankuba Minteh’s early goal in what was an intense start to the Premier League fixture.
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However, Kaoru Mitoma restored Brighton’s lead around the 60th minute, and Andre Onana handed the visitors a third goal when he fumbled Yasin Ayari’s cross, allowing Georginio Rutter to score in the 76th minute. ..Continue Reading
Fabian Hurzeler’s side held firm to secure their third consecutive win across all competitions, leaving United in 13th place, just ten points clear of the relegation zone.
In his post-match press conference, a dejected Ruben Amorim admitted that his team might be the worst in the history of Manchester United.
‘In ten games in the Premier League, we won two. I know that. We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United,’ the United head coach told reporters.
‘I know you want headlines but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that. Here you go: your headlines.
‘Imagine what this is for a fan of Manchester United, imagine what this is for me.
‘We are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that. I am not going to change [his 3-4-3 system], no matter what.
‘I know we can succeed but we need to survive this moment. I am not naive. We need to survive now.’
United captain Fernandes pointed to his team’s apparent lack of ‘bravery’ and spirit when times are tough.
‘These things are part of football and you’re going to do it, you’re going to make it and that’s okay. But the thing is, you need to have the bravery to get back and do it again and again,’ the Portugal midfielder told BBC Sport.
‘We’re even talking too much about it being difficult to play at Old Trafford. How is it difficult that United to find it difficult playing at our home ground with the atmosphere that we have?
‘We can’t put all these things up to make excuses of not winning games and not being brave enough to do things.’
If Fernandes appeared more irritated than usual after United’s recent defeat, it might be due to Baleba’s actions in the tunnel post-match.
Carlos Baleba hitting the griddy in the Old Trafford tunnel infront of a very upset Bruno Fernandes. ???????? pic.twitter.com/QTgqrmJj1t
— Football Tweet ⚽ (@Football__Tweet) January 19, 2025
Baleba delivered an outstanding performance alongside Yasin Ayari at Old Trafford, and the young midfield pair received high praise from Brighton manager Hurzeler following their victory.
‘They suffer, though they had bad experiences, Carlos and Yasin, we had a lot of giveaways during the season where we were leading. We did things that were not mature, things we can’t do if we want to win a Premier League game,’ Hurzeler said.
‘They really learned from it and today they both showed an impressive performance for such a young age, they played very mature.
‘Yasin is a player that always wants to develop. He had an amazing pre-season, the has this attitude that he always gives more than 100 per cent.
‘With this intrinsic motivation, you can achieve a lot of things and, of course he has a lot of talent. He understands the ball well, he’s good in narrow spaces, he’s got a good first touch, he’s good at scanning.
‘I think his improvement shows and is a great example of the Brighton way, the way we want to go.’
