Reuters/Craig Brough
Few Manchester United players emerged from Wednesday’s shock 3-2 defeat to Brighton with much credit in the bank.
Michael Carrick and his players were booed off the pitch at full-time as chants of “what the f***ing hell was that?” rang out from the Stretford End.
For the first time in 50 years, United had lost a match at Old Trafford after going 2-0 up. Shea Lacey and Mason Mount got the hosts off to the perfect start, but goals from Charalampos Kostoulas, Pascal Gross and Maxim De Cuyper earned a memorable comeback victory for the Seagulls. Carrick's future is already looking a little uncertain, as the bookmakers release fresh odds over who might eventually replce him at the Theatre of Dreams.
Lacey, 19, was the only real positive for Man Utd, who have picked up four points from their opening four Premier League matches this term.
Most of the teenager’s teammates failed to impress, with defender Ayden Heaven coming under particular scrutiny from disgruntled Manchester United fans on social media.
Jamie Redknapp
Jamie Redknapp
Ruben Amorim's Ayden Heaven Verdict
REUTERS/Scott Heppell
The same age as Lacey, Heaven has now played 22 times for Man Utd since making his debut two seasons ago following his move from Arsenal.
Ruben Amorim was United manager when Heaven was signed on a four-and-a-half-year contract, and it was the Portuguese tactician who handed the defender his senior debut.
Heaven made his second appearance against his former club Arsenal back in March 2025 - a game which ended 1-1 at Old Trafford - and Amorim made an eye-opening comments about the youngster at the time.
Speaking to reporters, Amorim said: “Ayden is so relaxed. He seems so relaxed that sometimes he’s too relaxed. But I think we have a player there, so now we have to control and to tell him that was just a game.”
Amorim’s comments are currently being shared by United fans, who believe Heaven continues to play too relaxed.
One particular moment saw Heaven attempt to play for a foul, only for the referee to wave play on, almost leading to a Brighton goal. Watch the clip below:
The Sun’s Manchester United correspondent Samuel Luckhurst tweeted: “Amorim was a failure at Man Utd but he was right about an awful lot. Heaven has sleepwalked through tonight.”
Of course, Heaven is still so young, and centre-backs don’t often mature until they’re much older with plenty of experience under their belt.
But he will soon be under growing pressure to show that he has the ability to play for one of the world’s biggest football clubs.