Brighton star Carlos Baleba celebrates right in front of Bruno Fernandes after beating Man Utd

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Bruno Fernandes had another day to forget as Manchester United suffered a 3-1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford – and Carlos Baleba made sure to rub yet more salt in the wound immediately after the game.

The United captain converted from the penalty spot to drag the hosts back into the game after Yankuba Minteh’s early opener in what was a breathless start to Sunday’s Premier League contest.

But Kaoru Mitoma restored Brighton’s lead on the hour-mark and Andre Onana gifted the visitors a lead through Georginio Rutter after spilling Yasin Ayari’s initial cross in the 76th minute.

Fabian Hurzeler’s men held firm to pick up their third straight win in all competitions, a result which leaves United stranded down in 13th in the table – just ten points above the relegation zone.

Speaking shortly after the final whistle at his post-match press conference, a despondent Ruben Amorim made a startling admission, admitting his team could be the worst in the entire history of the club.

‘In ten games in the Premier League, we won two. I know that. We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United,’ the United head coach told reporters.

‘I know you want headlines but I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that. Here you go: your headlines.

‘Imagine what this is for a fan of Manchester United, imagine what this is for me.

‘We are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that. I am not going to change [his 3-4-3 system], no matter what.

‘I know we can succeed but we need to survive this moment. I am not naive. We need to survive now.’

United skipper Fernandes pointed to his side’s apparent lack of ‘bravery’ and spirit when times are tough.

‘These things are part of football and you’re going to do it, you’re going to make it and that’s okay. But the thing is, you need to have the bravery to get back and do it again and again,’ the Portugal midfielder told BBC Sport.

‘We’re even talking too much about it being difficult to play at Old Trafford. How is it difficult that United to find it difficult playing at our home ground with the atmosphere that we have?

‘We can’t put all these things up to make excuses of not winning games and not being brave enough to do things.’

If Fernandes looked even more peeved than usual after United’s latest setback, it may have something to do with Baleba’s post-match antics in the tunnel.

Brighton’s social media team captured Baleba ‘hitting the Griddy’ while dancing his way towards the away dressing room – and Fernandes could not have looked more miserable if he tried in the background of the clip. How to kick a man when he’s down…

‘Beating #ManchesterUnited again feels SO GOOD!’ Brighton’s TikTok post alongside the video said.

On X, formerly known as Twitter, the caption read: ‘Carlos is all of us right now! [crying laughing emoji]’

Baleba produced an exceptional performance alongside Yasin Ayari at the Theatre of Dreams and the young midfield duo received special praise from Brighton boss Hurzeler after the win.

‘They suffer, though they had bad experiences, Carlos and Yasin, we had a lot of giveaways during the season where we were leading. We did things that were not mature, things we can’t do if we want to win a Premier League game,’ Hurzeler said.

‘They really learned from it and today they both showed an impressive performance for such a young age, they played very mature.

‘Yasin is a player that always wants to develop. He had an amazing pre-season, the has this attitude that he always gives more than 100 per cent.

‘With this intrinsic motivation, you can achieve a lot of things and, of course he has a lot of talent. He understands the ball well, he’s good in narrow spaces, he’s got a good first touch, he’s good at scanning.

‘I think his improvement shows and is a great example of the Brighton way, the way we want to go.’

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