Manchester United supporters react as damning Brighton transfer truth laid bare

Two camps that can lay claim to being the best and worst-run clubs in the country in recent times locked horns at Old Trafford.

While Chelsea may give anyone a run for their money - literally - there are no prizes for working out which label fits Manchester United. Erik ten Hag has been heavily backed by the Glazers. The American owners have forked out a fortune - to the tune of £1.3billion - since Sir Alex Ferguson retired a decade ago. But very little of it has been well spent.

And the irony is how Ten Hag bizarrely cited Brighton’s ability to spend money after his team were trounced 3-1 on home soil. He said post-match: “It’s not a crisis but we have to be disappointed. All the teams have spent a lot of money. Brighton have spent money. When Man Utd come, it inflates the price.”

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But the brutal truth is how Brighton have rightful acclaim for the tag of best-run club in the Premier League. Promoted to the top flight in 2017, the Seagulls are about to enrol on their first European campaign.

No matter which piece of the jigsaw leaves the Amex Stadium, whether it be a manager, director or £100million player, the juggernaut continues to march forward. Brighton turned up and humiliated Man United on Saturday - highlighting how shrewdness and preparation matters more than deep pockets.

For context, Roberto De Zerbi’s starting XI that humiliated the Red Devils cost just £16.2million. Five of the players were signed on free transfers, with United paying more for Diogo Dalot (£19million) than Brighton did for their entire team.

Supporters have been quick to stick the knife