17 September 2023 , 10:21
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Manchester United's trip to face Bayern Munich in the Champions League this week coincides with the city's Oktoberfest, the world's largest beer festival.
It's a good job too, for the 3,779 United fans making the trip, because they are likely to want to drown their sorrows, with the German champions and Harry Kane ready to compound their misery.
No wonder United boss Erik ten Hag was reluctant to talk up his side's Premier League title chances before the new campaign, despite last season's progress under him. After three defeats in five games, United are down in 13th place, already nine points behind champions and league leaders Manchester City, any faint title hopes gone for another season.
Unlike Brighton, who made it four straight Premier League wins over United, Ten Hag's broken side has no identity, no urgency, no unity and no courage. United are fortunate to be on six points. Wolves outplayed them in their opening game of the season, a late header from Raphael Varane snatching an undeserved win for United.
Against Nottingham Forest, United were 2-0 down after four minutes, eventually coming back to win 3-2, courtesy of a second-half penalty Marcus Rashford was accused of diving to win. Sandwiched between those lucky wins was defeat at Tottenham, and successive losses at Arsenal and this latest one against Brighton have laid bare United's many shortcomings.
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United's big players, expected to step up in tough times, wilted. Casemiro, peripheral throughout, went off just after the hour, while captain Bruno Fernandes failed to inspire and star striker Rashford faded after a bright start.
On and off the field, United are a shambles. Brazilian winger Antony is unavailable for selection while he defends himself against allegations of physical assault. Fellow winger Jadon Sancho has also effectively been suspended and made to train alone for calling out Ten Hag on social media over his omission from the squad for the defeat at Arsenal.
Erik ten Hag was booed for substituting Rasmus Hojlund (Michael Regan/Getty Images)Both of those episodes have come on the back of United's mishandling of Mason Greenwood, who was sent on loan after plans to reintegrate him were ditched because of fears of a public backlash.
And there remains uncertainty over the future ownership of United, with reviled owners the Glazers having invited bids for the club, only to let the proposed takeover saga drag on for 10 months.
It all amounts to a crisis at a club that has been in turmoil ever since Sir Alex Ferguson stepped down a decade ago, on the back of United's last Premier League title triumph. Ten Hag is United's fifth permanent manager since Ferguson and while last season's progress suggested he may be the man to rescue them from mediocrity, results this term hint otherwise.
Manchester United fans have continually protested against the Glazers (Visionhaus/Getty Images)