Brighton thrashed Manchester United 4-0 at the Amex Stadium to ensure the visitors will finish the season with their worst points total in the Premier League era.
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| Brighton embarrassed a woeful United 4-0 |
The humiliating defeat on the south coast means Ralf Rangnick's side can no longer match the 64 points they achieved in the 2013/14 campaign as the German's penultimate game in interim charge hit a new low.
A fine strike from Moises Caicedo early in the first half (15) was added to after the break by goals from Marc Cucurella (48), Pascal Gross (57) and Leandro Trossard (60) as Brighton, who had not won at home since Boxing Day, remain on course for their highest top-flight finish.
After losses at Manchester City, Everton, Liverpool and Arsenal before this, United have now lost five consecutive Premier League away games. It is their longest such run since a string of six between December 1980 and March 1981.
Brighton were dominant from the off and Caicedo netted his first goal for the club in the 15th minute when he took advantage of the ball ricocheting off Alex Telles to tuck a low drive inside the post from outside of the box.
Trailing 1-0 at the interval, United boss Rangnick responded by bringing on Edinson Cavani and Fred at half-time in place of Nemanja Matic and Anthony Elanga, but the hosts continued to rally.
Marc Cucurella made it 2-0 four minutes after the break, firing into the roof of the net from close range, before Pascal Gross then steered a shot past David de Gea nine minutes later.
Leandro Trossard added a fourth when Diogo Dalot's clearance off the goalline following an intricate Brighton passing move bounced off his chest and into the United goal.
Brighton continued to pick holes in the United defence and piled on the pressure, but could not add to their tally.
United have now conceded 56 goals in the Premier League this season, their worst defensive record in a single campaign in the competition.
The result means it is now mathematically impossible for sixth-placed United to qualify for the Champions League, as they sit five points adrift of fourth-placed Arsenal with one game left to play.
Brighton are ninth, five points off a Europa Conference League spot with two remaining matches.
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