A desolate performance saw Manchester United lose their last chance of Champions League glory at Brighton & Hove Albion. Team manager Ralf Rangnick asked the fans to apologise.
“It was a terrible performance,” the future Austrian international coach is quoted as saying on the BBC website. “From the first to the last minute it was too little of everything,” Rangnick criticised his team. “We can only apologise for this humiliating defeat. “
The desolate 4-0 defeat – only the fourth in the 28th meeting against Brighton & Hove – also left ManUnited’s last theoretical chance of qualifying for the Champions League woefully behind them. The only consolation for the proud club in the coming season is the Europa League. However, there is also the threat of relegation to the third-class Europa Conference League.
“We were never able to stop them playing through our lines,” Rangnick said after the game. “We wanted to be as compact as possible, but we gave them too much space and couldn’t stop their flow of play.”
What is also certain after the defeat is that the Red Devils will now finish the 2021/22 season with their lowest points tally since 1990/91. With chants such as “You are not worthy to wear the jersey”, the travelling fans gave vent to their frustration and anger.
Bruno Fernandes: “What we showed was not enough to wear the Manchester United jersey “
Assistant captain Bruno Fernandes was sympathetic to the displeasure of his own supporters. “What we showed – what I showed – was not enough to wear the Manchester United shirt and I accept it,” Bruno Fernandes said. “We have to face it and we can only be ashamed of it because it was not good enough from everybody.”
The defeat highlights once again that ManUnited are facing a complete shake-up. Cristiano Ronaldo, who has scored nine of ManUnited’s last 12 goals, was well below his potential at Brighton. The Portuguese superstar turns 38 in February 2023, so it remains to be seen whether he will be available for a restart under new coach Erik ten Hag.
At least his compatriot Bruno Fernandes has announced he will stay at Old Trafford: “I signed my contract because I believe the future will be better,” said the Portuguese midfielder. However, he also added: “But of course many things have to be improved, as we have seen this season. “
