PLAYER RATINGS: Commanding Casemiro shuts up his critics as Diogo Dalot & Rasmus Hojlund ensure miserable Premier League campaign ends on a high
Despite the Red Devils claiming a 2-0 win, they finished eighth in the table as a disappointing campaign in the league came to an end
Diogo Dalot and Rasmus Hojlund ensured a bright end to Manchester United’s Premier League campaign as they beat Brighton 2-0 at the Amex on Saturday. The Red Devils will feel they had a bit of a lucky escape as Erik ten Hag’s team had looked miserable for large spells. The visitors were overrun by their hosts at times and could have been annihilated had Brighton been able to find the net before Dalot got on the end of a great Casemiro ball and fired into the net.
Ten Hag’s team could hardly get out of their half in the opening 45 minutes as Brighton did well to pressure them and cut off their passing options. United looked a bit more up for the fight as the second half began but the Seagulls settled quickly and were denied a goal when Casemiro blocked a shot on the line. Dominant and dangerous, the hosts should have been flying against the Red Devils but saw too many chances scuppered by blocks or poor finishing.
The introduction of Hojlund at the hour mark provided a much-needed lift to United as he fought for the ball and gave the Red Devils a target up front. As well as having a slight influence on the opener, he went on a good run and tucked into the net to make it 2-0 at the end.
With the FA Cup final against Manchester City coming up, Red Devils fans will be concerned about the shape of their team as they look to cause a massive upset against the English champions and end the season with a trophy.
GOAL rates United’s players from the Amex…
Article continues below
Getty
Goalkeeper & Defence
Andre Onana (6/10):
Pulled off a couple of decent saves to keep his team level.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka (5/10):
A bit of a lackadaisical display at right-back as Brighton had plenty of space to work with on that side.
Casemiro (8/10):
Swept up really well in the centre of defence while many of his team-mates struggled. Made a vital goalline clearance early in the second half and his pass created the goal.
Lisandro Martinez (6/10):
His first start since February and made some key interventions to cut out the dominant hosts. Still not at his best in a disorganised team but Ten Hag will be glad to have him back for the FA Cup final.
Diogo Dalot (7/10):
Didn’t offer enough protection as Brighton kept coming at United but scored the crucial opening goal.
Midfield
Kobbie Mainoo (6/10):
Put in a lot of effort to drive United forward but did not have many good passing options or much help around him.
Sofyan Amrabat (4/10):
Kept on getting caught on the ball to give away possession in important areas, putting more pressure on his team.
Amad Diallo (6/10):
Dispossessed a few too many times and lost too many duels but put in a lot of effort to win the ball back.
Alejandro Garnacho (6/10):
Had a hard time getting time and space on the ball in the first half but had some bright moments.
Getty
Attack
Scott McTominay (4/10):
Did well to create a dangerous attack but sent the shot sailing over the bar and then wasted another chance in the second half.
Bruno Fernandes (6/10):
Saw a lot of the ball but couldn’t do much to lift his overwhelmed team before he went off at the hour mark.
Getty
Subs & Manager
Jonny Evans (6/10):
Replaced Martinez at the hour mark and looked fine.
Rasmus Hojlund (8/10):
Replaced Fernandes and provided a lift for United. His fight for the ball prevented Brighton from clearing it, allowing Casemiro’s pass to go through to Dalot for the first goal. Went on a good run and applied a nice finish for the second.
Raphael Varane (6/10):
Did a sound job beside Evans for the last 20 minutes of his final Premier League game for the Red Devils.
Marcus Rashford (5/10):
Didn’t have much impact on the game having come off the bench after the goal.
Christian Eriksen (6/10):
Was brought on at the same time as Rashford and linked with Hojllund for the goal.
Erik ten Hag (6/10):
His team did not look up for the battle in the beginning and fans will be worried by how flat they look just a week out from the FA Cup final. His changes did, however, have an impact as United secured the victory.