Redknapp rips Zirkzee as United lose two‑goal lead to Brighton

Jamie Redknapp tore into Joshua Zirkzee after the Dutchman came off the bench in Manchester United’s Carabao Cup defeat to Brighton on Wednesday night, saying the striker was “unable to pass the ball” to his teammates. The Man Utd side were desperate to bounce back after their derby defeat to Manchester City on Sunday, and had taken a two‑goal lead early in the first half.

Early dominance gives United a two‑goal cushion

Michael Carrick’s side started brightly, with youngster Shea Lacey lashing home a wonderful effort after eight minutes. Mason Mount added a second two minutes later, putting United 2‑0 up. Brighton pulled one back through Charalampos Kostoulas just before half‑time. The early dominance suggested the side could recover from the recent loss.

Second‑half changes fail to turn tide

Fifteen minutes into the second half Carrick had three substitutes ready, but Brighton equalised before United could make through Pascal Gross. Kobbie Mainoo and Bruno Fernandes replaced Andrey Santos and Mason Mount, while Joshua Zirkzee came on for Benjamin Sesko. Neither change sparked United, and Maxim De Cuyper scored Brighton’s third minutes after the substitutions.

Zirkzee contributed little off the bench and Bruno Fernandes struggled to lift his side, with United wilting under pressure again. The Dutchman was described as wasteful on the ball.

Speaking after the game, pundit Jamie Redknapp hailed the Seagulls’ performance, calling them “better coached” and noting they had clear patterns of play despite the changes.

Redknapp added that United’s “insurance policy” of bringing on Bruno and Mainoo “made them worse”, and that Zirkzee “couldn’t pass the ball to his own teammate”. He said the result was “incredible for Brighton, they deserved it”.

United have now won just two of their opening six matches in all competitions, victories that came against Ipswich Town and Azerbaijan side Sabah.