Brighton 0-2 Manchester United: Erik ten Hag’s side record worst Premier League finish despite victory | Football news

Manchester United recorded their worst finishing position in Premier League history despite ruining Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi’s last game with a 2-0 win.

United finished outside the European places in eighth, their lowest position since 1990, but can qualify for the Europa League if they beat champions Manchester City in the FA Cup final on Saturday.

Newcastle won 4-2 at Brentford to secure seventh place on goal difference, making United’s result meaningless in the race for the top seven as they put in a typically mixed performance on the south coast.

De Zerbi received a standing ovation before and after the match in which Brighton dominated for an hour, missing chance after chance, the best of them coming in front of Joao Pedro in the second half, who saw his effort cleared off the post line of Casemiro.

United then scored from nothing, Casemiro’s long ball not being dealt with by the Brighton defence, allowing Diogo Dalot to finish before substitute Rasmus Hojlund wrapped up the win.

How Man Utd snatched victory at Brighton

Brighton controlled the first half, young defender Valentin Barco allowed too much space down United’s right and slotted past Aaron Wan-Bissaka in the box but saw his shot saved by Andre Onana.

Adam Webster was a threat with three efforts from free kicks in the first half, seeing his best chance deflected away by Lisandro Martinez just yards from the goal line minutes after Scott McTominay had fired over the visitors’ only chance at a rare counterattack.

Newcastle scored three times at Brentford in 17 first-half minutes to go close to seventh as United struggled in the heat, with Joao Pedro firing a shot wide when well placed in the area.

United passed the ball far too slowly when in possession and were fortunate again early in the second half when Casemiro cleared Pedro’s effort off the line and Adam Lallana’s follow-up was deflected away.

Lallana received a standing ovation when he was substituted on his final appearance for Brighton, while the Ten Hag removed Bruno Fernandes and Martinez with an eye on the following weekend.

United gradually improved as Amad Diallo fired home from outside the area before Dalot got in behind the Brighton defense to slot past Jason Steele.

Ten Hag’s substitutes Christian Eriksen and Hojlund then combined to secure victory in front of the United supporters.

Ten Hag: We have tactical luxuries with two formations

Manchester United administrator Erik ten Haag said:

“In the first half we didn’t have 100 percent control. At half-time we made some changes and then the second half was much better. Defence, organization, pressing was better, but also in possession, we kept the ball. better and made good moves at the back.”

On Hojlund’s impact and the fake #9 game: “The manager and the coaching staff have luxury issues, which is good. Both formations (with or without fake #9) can be successful.

“We can play the way we set up at the Etihad, where we were a threat with movement at the back. But with Rasmus Hojlund in this form, it’s absolutely a consideration we have to take. But we don’t just need 11 players, we have also need a bank.”

About quarterbacks coming back from injuries: “Our position has been a nightmare all season with all the injuries and if you want to get results one of the foundations of a good team is a centre-back partnership. I didn’t have that so I’m glad I did. Options for next week We have to think about qualities but also fitness levels, so we probably need more than two next week.”

De Zerbi: I hope to return to the Premier League one day

Brighton administrator Roberto De Zerbi said:

On departure from Brighton “I haven’t found the right agreement to move on and stay together, but nothing changes for me. I know very well what I want in my life, what I want from football. Football is my life and I can’t change my passion , my target, my lifestyle.

“I respect the club, I respect everything and I have to thank Tony Bloom and his family, Paul Barber and the whole club for giving me the opportunity to work in the Premier League, which is the best league in the world. .

“This group of players has been the best of my career in terms of relationships. They have given me the chance to discover Brighton and I have an incredible connection with the city. I love this city and I have a great connection with the fans as well.

“I know my DNA, I know my level of passion, I know what I need to feel good in life and to feel good in my work. There is no other club at the moment. I have not had any offers. You I can choose whether you believe me or not, but that’s the way it is.”

To return to the Premier League one day? “I hope my story in the Premier League doesn’t end. I hope to work in the Premier League again, but I don’t know when or where. It was an honor to work in the Premier League. The stadiums are incredible and the atmospheres are unique.

“If I have to stay at home for three, four or five months, it won’t be a problem for me because I will study different games, different teams and different coaches. Every year is different and you need to be informed if you want to stay at the highest level.

“I hope to find a solution before the start of the season, but at the moment there is no team.”

Eight Stats: Man Utd finished with a negative goal difference

• Today was Roberto De Zerbi’s 70th and final Premier League game in charge of Brighton and Hove Albion. Despite his side’s defeat, he leaves with the highest winning percentage in the English top flight of any Seagulls manager (37% – 26/70).
• Manchester United won a Premier League away game without conceding for the first time since November 2023 against Everton (3-0), while this was their first league win away to Brighton since September 2020 under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ( 3-2).
• Despite today’s 2-0 win, Manchester United ended a league campaign with a negative goal difference (57 scored, 58 conceded) for the first time since 1989-90 (-1 on both occasions).
• Brighton and Hove Albion have made 143 changes to their Premier League starting XI this season; only Manchester United in 2013-14 (144) and Manchester City in 2019-20 (144) have ever done more in a single campaign in the competition.

When does the 2024/25 Premier League season start?

The 2023/24 season has come to an end, but planning for the new campaign has already begun.

Several Premier League teams have confirmed pre-season friendlies before that Term 2024/25, which starts on the weekend of 17/18 Augustwhile others gave fresh kits an early broadcast.

The Premier League games – all 380 of them – will be shown on Tuesday 18 June at 9am, with full coverage on Sky Sports News and Sky Sports’ digital platforms.

The new EFL season kicks off on the weekend of 10/11 August and marks the launch Sky Sports+, offering more options to sports fans through live streams and a new dedicated channel at no additional cost. In a broadcast first, every EFL match across all three divisions – Championship, League One and League Two – will be broadcast live on the opening weekend.

Stay tuned for another busy summer in transfer window – clubs can do business from June 14 to August 30 and Sky Sports Transfer center will keep you up to date with all the latest news and rumours.

Euro 2024 is also only a few weeks away. Keep track of Euro parties in Englandcheck the full tournament schedule in Germany and join us skysports.com or Sky Sports app to follow every match with our live match blogs.