The Seagulls, roared on by a record home crowd of 31,637, enjoyed an afternoon to savour as they put the beleaguered Red Devils to the sword.
Moisés Caicedo, who attracted interest from United in January last year, fired Albion into an early lead before Marc Cucurella, Pascal Groß and Leandro Trossard wrapped up the victory in a stylish second half performance.
Brighton‘s first home win of 2022 keeps them on course to claim their first-ever top ten finish in English football’s top-flight.
For United, the loss ensured that they will not qualify for next season’s UEFA Champions League and will finish the season with their lowest-ever Premier League points tally.
Speaking after the defeat, Rangnick said: “We had big problems with their width through their wing-backs, we couldn’t stop their wing-backs as they were always pretty high and wide.
“For us it was whenever they played the diagonal ball we struggled with those balls although we told our full-backs that they should get out earlier.
“It was very, very difficult to stop them in the first half at all and in the second half we took the risk to bring Edi [Cavani] on as a second striker and Fred and went to a 4-4-2.
“In hindsight it was maybe a little bit of a risk to play a 4-4-2 against them, but we had to try and change the energy. Today we were second best in all relevant areas.”
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Brighton‘s first home win of 2022 keeps them on course to claim their first-ever top ten finish in English football’s top-flight.
5. Drameh likely to stay put
Leeds United are “unlikely” to send Cody Drameh on loan again next season if they suffer relegation at the end of the season. (Wales Online)
6. Magpies prepare Perisic offer
Newcastle United are preparing a bumper contract offer for Ivan Perisic who could leave Inter Milan on a free transfer. (CalcioMercato)
7. Brighton release Dendoncker
Young defender Lars Dendoncker, brother of Wolves star Leander, has been released by Brighton. (The Athletic)
8. Barca would welcome reduced Raphinha fee
Leeds United could look to sell Raphinha for just £21.3m this summer - a fee that Barcelona ‘would welcome’. (Mundo Deportivo)