MANCHESTER UNITED honored one of their greatest legends, Denis Law, with an emotional tribute before the match began.
However, on the field, the current squad could not provide the ‘King of the Stretford End’ – who passed away on Friday at age 84 – with the farewell he truly deserved.
Yankuba Minteh’s early goal hushed the crowd following Denis Law’s tributeCredit: AP
Bruno Fernandes equalized with a penaltyCredit: Getty
Kaoru Mitoma restored Brighton’s lead in the 61st minuteCredit: Getty
Andre Onana mishandled the ball to Georginio Rutter, who made it 3-1Credit: Getty
Onana’s error nearly sealed Brighton’s victoryCredit: Rex
Law ranks as the third highest scorer in United’s history and was part of a golden era at Old Trafford.
Times have changed, though – and Brighton once again enjoyed their visit to the Theatre of Dreams.
Goals from Yankubah Minteh and Kaoru Mitoma placed the Seagulls in control before Andre Onana gifted a goal to sub Georginio Rutter.
That was sufficient for them to win at United for the third consecutive time, ending the brief resurgence Ruben Amorim’s side had experienced in recent weeks.
The tributes to Law were beautifully executed by United, but the visitors showed no mercy when the match commenced.
Onana made a sharp save from Joao Pedro at his near post, but soon after, his defense was breached again in the fifth minute.
Carlos Baleba’s pass over the top found Mitoma free down the left, who selflessly squared it for Minteh to score.
United displayed some determination to get back into the game, as Bart Verbruggen put his defenders in jeopardy with a poor pass.
But the captain escaped trouble just before halftime when his backpass almost led to a goal, only for Diogo Dalot to block a shot from former United player Danny Welbeck.
Another escape came right after the restart as United struggled to handle a low free-kick into the box, allowing Pedro to spin and shoot past Onana.
Fortunately for the home side, VAR noticed a kick from Jan Paul van Hecke on Dalot before the Seagulls striker could score.
The referee took a long look but eventually agreed – it’s fair to say the Portuguese defender exaggerated the contact.
However, the relief was brief as the visitors took the lead a little over five minutes later.
Mitoma had assisted Minteh for the first goal – and now the roles reversed.
Gambian star Minteh delivered a lovely cross to the back post, allowing Mitoma to reach it first, colliding with the post in the process.
It was no more than the visitors deserved, and soon after, it was game over thanks to another mistake from Onana.
Yasin Ayari’s low cross should have been routine, as he faced no pressure – yet he somehow failed to secure it.
Rutter seized the opportunity, easily tapping the loose ball into the empty net.
Back to square one for Amorim and United after suffering a 10th league defeat in this challenging season.
The two teams entered the pitch to pipers playing ‘Flower of Scotland’ in tribute to Denis Law.
To fans, he was simply known as The King.
Ferguson laid a wreath near the center circle.
