Jamie Redknapp blasted Joshua Zirkzee’s performance off the bench in Manchester United’s Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton, accusing the Dutchman of being ‘unable to pass the ball’ to his teammates.
After their derby defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, United looked to get back on track at home to Brighton on Wednesday night.
It was a dream start for Michael Carrick’s side with youngster Shea Lacey lashing home a wonderful effort after eight minutes.
Mason Mount added a second two minutes later but the hosts pulled one back through Charalampos Kostoulas just before half-time.
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Carrick had three substitutes at the ready 15 minutes into the second-half but Brighton equalised before they were made through Pascal Gross. Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes came onto replace Andrey Santos and Mason Mount with Joshua Zirkzee on for Benjamin Sesko.
Neither change had the desired impact with Brighton scoring a third through Maxim De Cuyper just minutes after the substitutions.
It was the first time United had led at home by two goals and lost since they were beaten 3-2 by Tottenham in 1976 – 50 years ago.
Fernandes struggled to lift his side with Zirkzee particularly wasteful on the ball with United wilting under pressure again.
Speaking after the game, pundit Jamie Redknapp hailed the Seagulls’ performance but took aim at United’s substitutions ‘that made them worse.’
‘They [Brighton] looked better coached, they had patterns of play even though they made changes today they looked like a thoroughly good side,’ Redknapp told Sky Sports.
‘United threw on their insurance policy in Bruno and Mainoo. Everyone thought they might be able to make an impact and in fact it made them worse.
‘Zirkzee came on and couldn’t pass the ball to his own teammate. Incredible for Brighton, they deserved it.’
United have now won just two of their opening six matches of the season in all competitions, coming against Ipswich Town and Azerbaijan side Sabah.