Bruno Fernandes points to 'main problem' with Man Utd side after Brighton defeat

Bruno Fernandes admits Manchester United players are suffering from a "lack of confidence" following their 3-1 defeat to Brighton.

The loss marked United's fourth defeat in six Premier League matches, with goals from Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, and Georginio Rutter sealing Brighton’s third consecutive victory at Old Trafford.

Minteh opened the scoring in the fifth minute, finishing Mitoma's cross, before Fernandes equalized from the penalty spot 20 minutes later after Joshua Zirkzee was fouled in the box.

Despite a promising end to the first half, United faltered in the second, conceding two cheap goals and falling to their fourth loss in five home games.

Speaking to MUTV, Fernandes expressed disappointment in the team’s inability to sustain belief and fight back after going behind.

"In the second half, we showed the opposite [of what was needed]," Fernandes said.

"We could have stayed in the game, even when we conceded to go 2-1 down, but in that moment, there was a little bit of a lack of belief that we could change the game.

"Then, at 3-1, everything became much more difficult, but we still had time to come back and do something different."

The United captain highlighted the players’ diminishing confidence as the most concerning issue.

"What worries me the most is the lack of confidence we have at the moment to do the things we are capable of doing," he admitted.

"I don't mind anyone losing the ball trying to help the team, but we need to get the best out of the players. They need to trust themselves and believe they can turn things around."

Fernandes also called for greater bravery and decisiveness in the final third of the pitch.

"We started very badly, but we came back," he reflected.

"In the first half, we were the better team but lacked decision-making in the last third.

"We weren’t consistent in staying on the ball or brave enough to pin them back and play from there. That’s something we must improve."

With United's form continuing to falter, Fernandes’ comments underline the need for both mental resilience and tactical improvements to get the team back on track.