5 takeaways from Manchester United's shock defeat to Brighton

Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United - Premier League
Jose Mourinho looks on unimpressed at his team's performance

#4 There remains a question mark over United's best centre-back pairing

Brighton & Hove Albion v Manchester United - Premier League
Eric Bailly concedes a first-half penalty

Jose Mourinho continually experimented with his defensive back-line during 2017-18 to middling results. Despite a vast array of centre-halves on the books, Mourinho has yet to settle on an established partnership; failing to replicate the legendary pairings of the past such as Vidic and Ferdinand or Bruce and Pallister.

Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof are both Mourinho signings but both were culpable for all three of the goals United conceded versus Brighton. All three could have been avoided.

Worst, was Bailly's needless dive in to concede the penalty that saw Brighton take a 3-1 lead. If United are to achieve any success this season than Mourinho needs to solve this problem urgently.

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