Lee Sharpe has insisted that there is a real “lack of confidence” among Manchester United players after the 3-1 Premier League defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim’s men tasted their first defeat of 2025 on Sunday afternoon only days after Manchester United’s 3-1 comeback win over Southampton at Old Trafford.
Yankuba Minteh broke the deadlock in the fifth minute for Brighton before Bruno Fernandes pulled United level in the 23rd minute from the spot-kick.
However, Ruben Amorim’s side failed to impress after the break and Brighton took control of the Premier League tie at the Theatre of Dreams on the weekend.
Kaoru Mitoma fired Fabian Hurzeler’s men back into the lead in the second half and Andre Onana’s howler allowed Georginio Rutter to net Brighton’s third of the match.
Sharpe critical of one Man Utd player
Manchester United’s inconsistent run of form continues in the 2024-25 Premier League campaign and the Red Devils are 13th in the league table.
The Red Devils have only managed seven Premier League wins in 22 matches and United are only 10 points clear of the relegation zone.
United had won two of their first three matches across all competitions since the start of 2025 ahead of Brighton inflicting a 3-1 Premier League defeat.
Speaking on Stadium Astro, Lee Sharpe insisted that Andre Onana didn’t do himself “any favours” with his performance between the sticks for United.
Onana fumbled his collection of the ball in the United box after Yasin Ayari’s low cross and Georginio Rutter pounced on the opportunity and scored for Brighton.
The 28-year-old United No 1, whose form has taken a major hit after a strong start to the season, was also met with criticism when Kaoru Mitoma netted for Brighton.
“Poor again,” Sharpe said.
“Watching the Arsenal and Liverpool games, you think they are realising the kind of standards they have to reach and how hard they have to work.
“Then today, one shot on target and one goal. The goalkeeper [Onana] doesn’t do you any favours but it wasn’t good enough all-round really.
“There’s a lack of confidence. A deep-rooted lack of confidence. People are taking an extra touch when they don’t need to.
“Taking a split second [too much] to think about where they are passing the ball to. It’s not free-flowing or natural.”
Sharpe reacts to three Man Utd players vs Brighton
Sharpe was far from impressed with what he saw from Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, with both full-backs failing to impress in the Premier League defeat.
However, the 53-year-old former United winger also raised his concerns about Kobbie Mainoo, who “looked off the pace” with his display against Brighton.
“They’re giving the ball away cheaply and being caught in possession,” Sharpe continued.
“They didn’t create enough changes going forward. A little unrest and disorganisation defensively. The midfield got caught out a little bit today.
“I thought Mainoo looked off the pace. The two full-backs, Dalot and Mazraoui, didn’t have particularly great games [either].
“You need them to get forward and help out, they didn’t really do that. It was disappointing.”
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