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Rasmus Hojlund Denied First EPL Goal By VAR As Brighton Beat Man United

Manchester United's poor start to the Premier League season got worse on Saturday as Brighton & Hove Albion deservedly recorded a 3-1 away win at Old Trafford.

Brighton had 56% of possession and recorded eight shots on target - twice as many as United.

Ex-United striker Danny Welbeck opened the scoring in the 20th minute by netting against his former side in the Premier League for the fourth time since he left in 2014.

United had the ball in the Brighton net shortly before half-time. But Rasmus Hojlund was denied the first goal of his EPL career after a VAR review found that the ball had gone out of play before Marcus Rashford's low cross found the Dane inside the six-yard box.

A still image shows that the ball had gone out of play shortly before Rasmus Hojlund (no.11) thought he had scored his first Premier League goal during Manchester United's 3-1 loss to Brighton in September 2023

A still image shows that the ball had gone out of play moments before Rasmus Hojlund (no.11) put the ball in the net during Manchester United's 3-1 loss to Brighton on Saturday

Brighton then made it 2-0 eight minutes into the second half when Pascal Gross notched his fourth Old Trafford goal.

Hojlund was substituted off to make way for Anthony Martial on 64 minutes - a decision by Erik ten Hag that sparked booing among United fans.

But it was a Brighton substitute who scored the game's third goal eight minutes later when Joao Pedro produced an excellent one-touch finish.

Fellow sub Hannibal Mejbri got a consolation goal for United from long range but there were more boos at the final whistle.

This is the first season in EPL history in which United have lost three times in their opening five games.

Highlights: Man United 1-3 Brighton