Luke Shaw raised his hand after a night in which he had not stepped wrong.
The Manchester United athletes at least avoided singing "you're not fit to wear the shirt," but they were unable to prevent another loss at Brighton.
United has a new manager and new players; only four of the starters from the 4-0 thrashing at the Amex last May are still on the roster. After 362 days since the low point of the previous season, Brighton still has the hex on United.
With the top 12 teams in the Premier League, they have only managed one victory in 11 games, losing eight of them. This was one of United's most frustrating losses because they were behind by two goals in the 99th minute of stoppage time, when they were supposed to win. When the fourth official gave the signal for five additional minutes, Brighton was the only team committed to winning.
Now, the remainder of United's Premier League campaign could end in disaster. With only one game remaining in the season, Liverpool, who are four points behind United, are threatening to overtake them.
The referee missed the ball that grazed Shaw's palm from a corner, but Shaw knew the result as soon as Andre Marriner came close to the monitor. It was as obvious that David de Gea would lose from 12 yards. In the FA Cup semi-final shootout last month, Alexis Mac Allister was the first to score.
United has yet to triumph in front of a crowd at the Amex Stadium; its three victories in a row in 2020 came at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic. Although they lost any power they had, this was not another supine surrender at a place where they had given up seven goals in their previous two defeats.
Again, Erik ten Hag's game management went wrong as Moises Caicedo controlled United's midfield for the fourth time. In January 2021, United stopped trying to recruit Caicedo, and they dropped the ball. The Ecuadorian was once more animated.
With Christian Eriksen being an unused substitute and Ten Hag making few attempts to challenge Brighton's developing dominance, Brighton had three scoring opportunities in the space of 10 seconds after Shaw's handball.
It would have been beneficial to win at Brighton. The second water bottle was thrown by Roberto de Zerbi in extra time. The sponsors chose Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele as the game's MVP despite his perception of a squandered opportunity.
That harms Brighton and is flattering to United. Steele's stops were simple, but De Gea's denials of Kaoru Mitoma and Mac Allister outclassed them. Another penalty that sailed past De Gea will be remembered more than his performance.
Another scoreless match would have been a disgrace because this one was more exciting than the nerve-wracking FA Cup semifinal 11 days prior. Once more, a spotkick determined the outcome.
The aggressiveness throughout the game was often spikier on the sidelines. Despite receiving eight cautions, nobody was sent off. Ten Hag was unusually outspoken, which occasionally irritated De Zerbi, his opponent.
On one occasion, the fourth official found Ten Hag's fury amusing and started laughing. De Zerbi claimed he had received repercussions for similar outbursts. Adam Lallana heatedly debated the United boss while not even on the Brighton bench.
United might have broken their Brighton curse in the second minute had Antony not hit the ball against the post. The shots chosen by Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford provided Steele a chance to score. Similar issues continue to be raised on the same field where the pair fired blanks and afterwards engaged in friendly fire from Jose Mourinho five years ago.
"If Weghorst scores, we're on the pitch," chirped the United supporters upon the Dutchman's 84th-minute entrance. It is now two goals in 26 games for Weghorst.
An outstanding center striker who can hold onto the ball would be revolutionary. Bruno Fernandes wandered to open up new angles and his vertical deliveries frequently eluded the dominating Lewis Dunk and Adam Webster, but Rashford, who frequently darted infield, failed to kill the ball.
At the beginning of the second half, Rashford and Martial switched positions, and within five minutes, Ten Hag expressed displeasure with the positioning of the former. Ten Hag slapped his thighs in frustration and reprimanded the sluggish Martial for appearing to lack urgency in pressing.
Later, Ten Hag cursed a martial error. As he was replaced by Weghorst, Martial's streak of Premier League games without a 90-minute appearance was extended.
Martial and De Gea, who had both worn gloves, had made it through United's first two trips to Falmer in 2018. In temperatures of 13 degrees and a sky that was bluer than the Brighton crest for the entirety of the first half, Martial was the only outfield player wearing additional layers.
The phlegmatic Ten Hag initially contrasted sharply with the fiery De Zerbi. After Antony's miss, Ten Hag turned and shook his head disapprovingly. His hands were still in his pockets.
Ten Hag ultimately picked up De Zerbi and Andrea Maldera's antics, and when Pervis Estupián stepped on Rashford, Ten Hag lost it. He yelled at the linesman, the fourth official, and then the referee. After Carding Casemiro and shaking hands with Maldera, Weghorst said a few harsh remarks.
De Gea retains an aura in one-on-one situations despite his shortcomings when the ball is at his feet, during set pieces, and outside the penalty area. Mitoma struck the ball directly in De Gea's face in the third minute. Jack Butland took off his tracksuit top and trousers in anticipation of replacing De Gea for his United debut, but he quickly put them back on.
Luke Shaw solid at center back again
After his late handball, Luke Shaw will reflect on a horrible night. Despite the unusual blunder, he continues to seem like a natural at center-back, starting his fourth game in a row and his second against Brighton.
Victor Lindelof made the early mistake with a poor pass, giving Brighton a scoring chance, while Shaw was the most composed player on the field.
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville commended his efforts, knowing how difficult it is to transition from full-back to center-back. Perhaps he spoke too quickly.
Anthony Martial's time is ticking
The Frenchman squandered United's greatest chance of the first half as he struck from close range straight at goalkeeper Jason Steele. His other attempt veered off course.
United must be more ruthless, and while Martial is not the only fault, he is the one who most needs a goal. On 83 minutes, he was replaced by Wout Weghorst.
This is his sixth start for the club since returning from injury, and he has failed to score in all of them. In 2023, he has only two goals.
Man United still can't play from behind
Brighton's finest attacking chances came as a result of Manchester United's attempt to play out from the back.
While some of this is due to Brighton's superior pressing ability, it appears that United continues to live dangerously and take unnecessary risks.
Playing out from the back does not play to David de Gea's strengths, as we have discovered often this season and in the past.
Work to be done regarding top four finish
United have lost three of their previous five visits to Brighton, including a 4-0 thrashing last season. Four defeats in six games.
A tie would have been a satisfactory outcome. We are now under much more pressure in the race for a Champions League spot.
With a game in hand, we are two points behind third-placed Newcastle and four points ahead of Liverpool.
Back-to-back victories against West Ham (away) and Wolves (home) in the next weeks will keep United in a great position to qualify for the Champions League - but there is still work to be done.
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