Manchester United’s Moroccan defender #03 Noussair Mazraoui (L) jumps above Brighton’s Japanese midfielder #22 Kaoru Mitoma as they vie toheader the ball during the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester United at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on August 24, 2024. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /
Manchester United wingback Noussair Mazraoui is enduring a torrid afternoon at Old Trafford against Brighton’s Kaoru Mitoma.
The Red Devils were hoping to pay a fitting tribute to their iconic striker Denis Law who passed away on Friday. But while the pre-match ceremony hit the mark, the performance on the pitch fell miserably short.
The Red Devils conceded an early goal when Mitoma exposed Man Utd’s shaky right flank with a run behind Mazraoui before feeding Yankuba Minteh. The Red Devils managed to reply from the spot through their skipper Bruno Fernandes, but they have out of sorts in the second period.
Noussair Mazraoui endures a torrid afternoon
While the VAR chopped off a Brighton goal, Minteh and Mintoma combined again to restore the Seagulls’ lead, albeit by reversing their roles. The Gambian had the ball on the right flank with several markers in front of him, but still managed to produce a quality cross towards the back post.
Andre Onana was happy to watch the ball, perhaps thinking Mazraoui had it covered, but the Moroccan was one again beaten by Mitoma who won the duel by reaching the ball first. His connection was enough to put his name on the scoresheet, while the former Ajax star had the absolute worst of this altercation.
Not only did Mazraoui lost the duel which saw his team trail again, but he also ended up smashing his body into the goalpost in what at least appeared to be an agonizing crash, thus adding insult to injury (or perhaps the other way around).
Mitoma showing incredible bravery with this goal. The desire to get on the end this cross 🤌 pic.twitter.com/IgsWMM6bWD
— Men in Blazers (@MenInBlazers) January 19, 2025
And if this episode wasn’t enough, Onana simply had to add his almost customary contribution to an awful day at Old Trafford by committing an absolute howler that allowed Brighton to nick the third goal.
