PLAYER RATINGS: Brighton’s Danny Welbeck ran Lisandro Martinez ragged at Old Trafford during their 3-1 win over Manchester United, while Simon Adingra looks like another gem in Roberto De Zerbi’s south coast talent factory

• Manchester United suffered a 3-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday afternoon
• Mail Sport analysed how both teams performed in their first game back
• Listen to the latest episode of Mail Sport’s podcast It’s All Kicking Off!

Manchester United suffered a 3-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday afternoon after a dismal display saw the Seagulls cruise to victory at Old Trafford.  

Danny Welbeck opened the scoring for Brighton in the first 19 minutes of the game to give the Seagulls the advantage and register his fifth goal against the Red Devils. 

Rasmus Hojlund thought he clawed one back for United just before the break but his goal was chalked off after the ball was deemed out of play when Marcus Rashford made the cross. 

Pascal Gross extended Brighton’s lead in the 53rd minute before Joao Pedro added their third and final goal in the 71st minute. 

Hannibal Mejbri did manage to claw back a consolation goal for Manchester United but it wasn’t enough to earn them any points on a disappointing day at Old Trafford. 

Below, Mail Sport’s Nathan Salt analyses how the players from each team performed.  

Manchester United suffered a 3-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday afternoon after a dismal display saw the Seagulls cruise to victory at Old Trafford

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Manchester United (4-1-2-1-2)

Andre Onana – 6

Hard to penalise a goalkeeper too much when those in front of him are not doing their jobs. Could do nothing about the three goals. Huge save low to his left when Fati raced through one-on-one when he should have made it four.

Diogo Dalot – 5.5

Kept Karou Mitoma pretty quiet which is no mean feat. Started brightly but much like United he faded as the game wore on.

Diogo Dalot kept Karou Mitoma pretty quiet on Saturday afternoon which is no mean feat

Lisandro Martinez – 4.5

Back in the side after going off against Arsenal and plenty was expected but this was a tough afternoon. Danny Welbeck got the better of him while he was on the pitch. Taken off before the end.

Victor Lindelof – 5

His partnership with Martinez needs work and with Raphael Varane sidelined and Harry Maguire out of favour, Lindelof is going to have to step up – and fast.

Sergio Reguilon – 5

Making his Manchester United debut but offered little by way of attack or defence. Simon Adingra had a field day and got in behind him to cross for the opener.

Sergio Reguilon made his Man United debut but offered little by way of attack or defence

Casemiro – 5

Midfield is a real problem area and the Brazilian’s backwards step from last season isn’t helping that. Opposition teams are targeting him in isolation – and it worked again here as Brighton dominated central areas.

Scott McTominay – 4.5

A rare outing for the Scot but this was a largely anonymous display. In the first half he had just 12 touches in 49 minutes – and he lost possession twice. Things did not improve much in the second. The midfield diamond seemed to ostracise him the most of the four.

Christian Eriksen – 5.5

United raced out the blocks and Eriksen looked lively in those exchanges. The issue the Dane has is he looks so susceptible to defending in transition. Chased shadows as the second half wore on.

Bruno Fernandes – 4.5

Throws his arms about enough but Joao Pedro’s goal to make it 3-0 is on him not tracking back. Wearing the armband now and he simply has to set a better standard going back towards his own goal. Booked.

Marcus Rashford – 6.5

The most dangerous United player on the day. Starting in a front two alongside Hojlund he was given the freedom to drift out to the left, where he often looks most comfortable. Decision making

Rasmus Hojlund – 6

Thought he had scored on his home debut, only for VAR to determine Marcus Rashford hadn’t kept it in in the build-up. He faded thereafter before fans booed Ten Hag for taking him off.

Rasmus Hojlund scored for Manchester United in the first half but his goal was disallowed 

The goal was disallowed after the ball was deemed out of play when Marcus Rashford cross it

Subs:

Hannibal (64) – 6.5

Got himself a brilliant goal and actually looked to inject some life into proceedings from a United point of view. Booked for a rash challenge on Evan Ferguson late on.

Martial (64) – 5

Came on amid a cacophony of boos at the decision to take Rasmus Hojlund off. Felt like the game passed him by.

Garnacho (85)

Wan-Bissaka (85)

Pellistri (85)

Brighton (4-2-3-1)

Jason Steele – 6

Beaten by a brilliant strike from Hannibal Mejbri that he was full stretch to try and keep out. His composure in passing out from the back is a sign of how De Zerbi is improving each and every one of these players.

Tariq Lamptey – 7.5

Looked in real trouble when he was booked after 4 minutes for a crunching challenge on Diogo Dalot but he bounced back impressively. A menace down the left and he walks away with two assists to his name.

Lewis Dunk – 7

On the back of his England call-up Dunk showed plenty of quality here in keeping Rasmus Hojlund, and later Anthony Martial, quiet. In all fairness, he’s had tougher afternoons than this.

Jan Paul van Hecke – 6.5

A couple of rash moments but soon settled into the game. Quickly realised sending Rashford onto his left foot would alleviate much trouble – and it did. Booked

Joel Veltman – 6.5

It was down his side that United looked to carve out their openings – to mixed success. Didn’t get much help from Adingra in front of him but showed his experience to Van Hecke to his left.

Mahmoud Dahoud – 7

A performance that will go under the radar but neat and tidy in a midfield battle that United never managed to get ahold of. Plenty of thumbs up from his manager on the touchline.

Pascal Gross – 7.5

How he loves playing against Manchester United. Make it seven goals – including one here – from 11 games in the Premier League against them now, plus two assists. Won the midfield battle.

Karou Mitoma – 6

A quiet day by his lofty standards but it shows the quality of Brighton that they didn’t need him to be at his very best.

Adam Lallana – 6.5

His experience is invaluable when De Zerbi is trying to bleed exciting youngsters into this group, with the likes of Ansu Fati coming on off the bench. Coached team-mates through it at times and looks a manager in the making.

Simon Adingra – 7.5

Just 21 but here is the next gem from Brighton’s factory of talent. Wide on the right the Ivorian got an assist on his first Premier League start to tee up Welbeck and he was tying Reguilon in knots. Give it a year before Todd Boehly is on the phone…

Danny Welbeck – 8

A real thorn leading the line before coming off. His late run for the first goal was brilliantly worked and he was a constant headache for Martinez and Lindelof.

Danny Welbeck opened the scoring in the first 19 minutes of the game on Saturday

Manchester United left Welbeck (left) completely unmarked in the middle of the box

Subs:

Ansu Fati (63) – 5.5

Will be disappointed to have spurned a one-on-one chance in stoppage time but he’s in the right areas and De Zerbi will be encouraged by his cameo.

Joao Pedro (63) – 7

Took his goal brilliantly and is pushing to return to the starting XI. Did his case no harm with this 30 minute cameo.

Milner (76)

Gilmour (76)

Ferguson (84)

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