United must go back to the future

Manchester United are finding new ways to make the wrong kind of history.

The loss to Brighton was the first time in 50 years that a two-goal lead at Old Trafford has been turned into a defeat.

“Two-nil up and you messed it up,” was the printable version of what the visiting fans sang.

There were unavoidable echoes of last year’s loss at Grimsby as the Carabao Cup again proved a poisoned chalice.

Then it was on penalties to a fourth-tier side in the second round; this year it was a third-round home tie against a Premier League club, but one with something of a hex over them.

The Seagulls had won on four of their five previous visits.

The shock was much lower on the Richter Scale, but it’s still Brighton, regarded by many as a feeder club!

But what feeds the knockers and fuels the narrative that United could be teetering into crisis territory isn’t one single misstep.

Michael Carrick himself acknowledged that “a couple of smaller things ended up accumulating into something bigger.”

Honest as ever, he refused to blame bad luck, but it’s played a significant part in tandem with “Sod’s Law”.

Top of the list has to be Erling Haaland’s now-infamous “offside goal” in the derby. An apology from Pro Ref (the referee’s body) only rubbed salt into that wound.

And forgotten in the furore is that United almost snatched a draw at the death, being denied only by an amazing point-blank save from Gianluigi Donnarumma.

But few of their own fans would argue that United deserved anything other than a defeat after playing second fiddle to 10 men for over 70 minutes.

The “couple” of things would no doubt also include Everton’s last-minute equaliser – a once-in-a-career thunderbolt from Ainsley Maitland-Niles, of all people, the previous weekend.

Another would be the fan revolt over the club’s ticketing crackdown. This led to a single banner inside the ground, displaying the words, “The way you treat us is a disgrace.”

Another apology, from the club this time, but nothing can restore the faith the hardcore United fans have in the club’s current hierarchy.

Indeed, the Ratcliffe regime is achieving the impossible of being hated as much as the Glazers – and in less time.

The Glazers did not sack tea ladies, did not rob lifelong season-ticket holders of their seats, and would cough up whenever Ed Woodward wanted to buy another expensive dud. They’ve just been complete and utter parasites.

Ratcliffe’s promise to “put the Manchester back” into the club has brought only antipathy from their own fans and unemployment for hundreds of low-paid staff.

United have spotted a scam by ticket touts and are right to tackle it, but have done so in Ratcliffe’s brutal, heavy-handed way that is once again doing more harm than good.

Old Trafford regulars are saying they’ve never known such a split between the fans and those running the club – which is perhaps the biggest cause for concern. But then a Politburo is never meant to be popular.

Appointing Carrick is one of the few decisions they seem to have got right.

But the level-headed former midfielder could be under pressure if United don’t get three points at lowly Fulham in Sunday’s late game.

A big improvement on the hot-headed Ruben Amorim, whose “three at the back” obsession never worked, Carrick turned the club around last season.

He just needs time and fewer distractions.

One more item on his lengthening list of “smaller things” was that J.J. Gabriel, a 15-year-old jewel of the academy known as “Kid Messi”, wants to leave.

Renowned as one of the genuine wonder boys for his age and holding an Irish passport, he apparently lost patience waiting for a chance in the first team.

On October 6, his 16th birthday, he will legally be allowed to bypass UK domestic rules and sign a scholarship agreement with any major European side.

Ironically, he had been in line for an appearance against Brighton, but the boy’s father is known as a pushy character who will stop at nothing to further his son’s career.

And although United have not given up hope of keeping him, he could spark an unseemly scramble for his services from their rivals.

Real Madrid were thought to be favourites, but Barcelona, Chelsea and now City have all been mentioned. Short of joining Liverpool, City would be the hardest for United to stomach.

At least there was some joy from the youngsters with Shea Lacey, 19, becoming the first teen to score on their debut since Marcus Rashford did, aged 18, against Midtjylland in 2016.

But it was short-lived as United, showing no backbone and with a nervous debutant keeper, Karl Darlow, imploded.

The watching Carlos Baleba might have wondered if his £65m move to United from Brighton was an upgrade.

The Cameroon midfielder, who has been injured since he signed, is the latest on the Seagulls’ long list of transfer market killings. They signed him for £23m three years ago.

He should strengthen midfield but it’s defence United have to worry about. Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are never likely to be confused with Steve Bruce and Gary Pallister.

After the loss at Hull on the opening weekend, Carrick said it was “only one game”. But it’s three defeats now in six games.

The only wins were against Ipswich and Sabah.

Carrick is right – it is cumulative, but the fans are reserving their venom for those above him.

On Wednesday, there were marches outside the ground with banners saying, “We want our club back” and “Jim ain’t the one”.

No, it’s not the same club anymore, not the same values.

It seems that “Kid Messi” doesn’t see a future with United either.

Which is probably the most worrying “smaller thing” of all.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of FMT.

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