MANCHESTER UNITED used to boast the Neville brothers in their backline – it was more like the Chuckle Brothers during a diabolical display against Brighton.
We really did witness one of the most abysmal defensive performances that you could ever possibly see from any side – never mind Manchester United – in living memory.
Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven endured a torrid evening against Brighton Credit: PA
The defensive duo were compared to the Chuckle Brothers Credit: Rex Features
Before this collapse, United held an astonishing record at Old Trafford, winning 143 and drawing two of the 145 games in which they held a two-goal lead since the 2013-14 season.
That record was blown to pieces as they finally lost one.
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Enter Brighton, who have officially become United’s bogey side after winning at the Theatre of Dreams five seasons running.
For the second successive campaign, the Seagulls knocked United out of a cup competition.
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Last year, they left United’s season trophyless, and tonight they severely dented their latest attempt at silverware.
With two losses from their first four Premier League games and a chaotic cup exit under their belt, serious questions are already hanging over manager Michael Carrick.
United’s performance was oozing with complacency from the start.
Making eight changes against a side with zero mugs made a mockery of the setup, and Carrick’s gamble backfired spectacularly.
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Gary and Phil Neville at the back is a far cry from the current crop Credit: Getty – Contributor
It makes a mockery of JJ Gabriel demanding to be in the squad.
Obviously, he wasn’t the story in the end, given that Brighton did remarkably well to come from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
They were helped really by one of the most amateurish defensive circuses you could see from a Manchester United defence.
From the glory days of Gary and Phil, having Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven at the back together reminded me of Rotherham’s favourite Paul and Barry.
It was a disaster.
Billed as the future of United’s defence, against Brighton they looked like a partnership that belongs strictly in the past.
Ruben Amorim warned last year that Heaven can be “too relaxed,” and that was precisely the case — he simply did not wake up.
When the deafening boos rang out at 3-2 and again at the final whistle, they weren’t aimed at the referee or the officials.
They were targeted straight at the players, and Carrick will have to carry the can for the fallout.
