Sports

Manchester United fans slam Ed Woodward after defensive horror show against Brighton

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Brighton & Hove Albion's Glenn Murray (centre) scores his side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at the AMEX Stadium, Brighton. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday August 19, 2018. See PA story SOCCER Brighton. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. — Glenn Murray scored a brilliantly taken opener for Brighton (Picture: Getty)

Ed Woodward cannot say he wasnt warned by Jose Mourinho!

The Manchester United manager demanded defensive reinforcements over the summer but the clubs executive vice-chairman failed to deliver the goods.

Mourinho had identified the likes of Toby Alderweireld, Jerome Boateng and Harry Maguire as potential candidates to strengthen a defence which was bailed out on numerous occasions by David De Gea last season.

Eric Bailly conceded a needless penalty (Picture: Getty)

Woodward, however, refused to sanction any further additions to Mourinhos squad after the signings of Fred and Diego Dalot which were made prior to the World Cup.

Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof started alongside each other on the south coast and both were at fault as Brighton raced into an early two-goal lead with both Glenn Murray and Shane Duffy capitalising on ponderous defending.

Romelu Lukaku halved the deficit but a moment of rashness from Bailly shortly before the break allowed Chris Hughtons side to restore their advantage from the penalty spot.

Brighton & Hove Albion's Glenn Murray (right) celebrates scoring his side's first goal of the game with team mates during the Premier League match at the AMEX Stadium, Brighton. PRESS ASSOCIATION Photo. Picture date: Sunday August 19, 2018. See PA story SOCCER Brighton. Photo credit should read: Gareth Fuller/PA Wire. RESTRICTIONS: EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or "live" services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. — Jose Mourinho was desperate for defensive reinforcements over the summer (Picture: Getty)

Theres five centre-backs at the club. Is there a pair among them who you would trust to take you to a title? Thats the question Jose needs to answer, Gary Neville told Sky Sports.

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Judging by the response on Twitter, United fans are pretty confident they know the answer to that question and who to hold responsible…

I'm so glad Ed Woodward saw sense and didn't spend money on an experienced centre half. Football genius. #clown #BRIMUN

— Pieri (@delpieri) August 19, 2018

Is this totally Mourinho's fault?

Nope.

Buck stops squarely at Ed Woodward's door. Pathetic. #mufc

— Conor Matchett (@conor_matchett) August 19, 2018

''We don't need Toby Alderweireld or any centre-back'' – Ed Woodward, 2018.

— Stephen Fox (@StephenFox92) August 19, 2018

Don't worry lads, the football expert Ed Woodward said we don't need Alderweireld…

— Unitedsway (@Unitedsway) August 19, 2018

Hope Ed Woodward is enjoying this. Totally obvious if you don't buy the defenders we all knew were desperately needed. #MUFC looking forward to a new director of football

— Nik Harta (@nikharta) August 19, 2018