Theatre of Questionable Refereeing: Man United 2-0 Brighton photos
There is something special about visiting Old Trafford under lights. You can feel the history pulsating off the walls and the terraces, something which our photos from Man United 2-0 Brighton scarcely do justice.
From the Busby Babes to the treble winners, the Theatre of Dreams has seen it all. Some of the most famous nights involving the greatest players in the best teams in English football history have taken place in this corner of Manchester.
All of which makes it quite sad to see United reduced to the side they are in 2022. A team who have to resort to surrounding a referee and influencing him to send off the captain of little old Brighton to try and prevent the Albion outplaying them.
For Brighton were miles better than their illustrious opponents in the first half. The Seagulls had 60 percent possession and were it not for one of the greatest saves you will ever see when David De Gea kept out a Jakub Moder header, the visitors would have gone into the interval with a deserved lead.
United were booed off at half time. Unfortunately, Yves Bissouma gifted Cristiano Ronaldo an opener early into the second half and minutes later Lewis Dunk was sent for an early bath.
The man in the middle Mr Peter Bankes had initially awarded a yellow card for Dunk dragging Anthony Elanga to the ground. This was the correct decision as Adam Webster was covering behind, meaning Elanga had not been denied a clear goal scoring opportunity.
United though felt otherwise. Ronaldo, Harry Maguire and co surrounded Mr Bankes. VAR told him to look at the screen and once that happened, there was only one outcome – Dunk was given his marching orders.
Even with a man advantage, United did not have it all their own way. Moder hit the bar from 30 yards and Danny Welbeck put a late chance off target with the goal gaping before Bruno Fernandes added a second for the hosts on the counter in the final seconds.
Having been booed off at half time, we were treated at full time to the bizarre sight of United completing a lap of honour for a win over 10 man Brighton. As we said, Manchester United are not what they used to be.
If you have any photos you would like included in our Man United 2-0 Brighton gallery, please e-mail them to wearebrighton@hotmail.co.uk or tweet them to us @wearebrighton
