EPL: Brighton Miss Out on Europa League After Heavy Final-Day Loss to Man Utd

Manchester United celebrates goal

Brighton were beaten 3-0 at home and finished outside the top six, while United ended the season with five wins in six games.

Dorgu, Mbeumo and Fernandes score in Man Utd’s win at Brighton. Man Utd beat Brighton 3-0 as Fernandes sets assist record...

Manchester United beat Brighton 3-0 at the Amex on the final day, winning away there for the second time in three seasons. Bruno Fernandes set a new Premier League record for assists in a single campaign, and the result meant Brighton missed out on Europa League qualification.

Brighton needed several results to go their way to reach the top six, but they started well in the heat and looked confident of doing their part.

Chances were hard to come by against a stubborn United defence. The hosts’ best moment in the opening 20 minutes came when Maxim De Cuyper cut in from the left and curled a shot just wide of the far post.

United did not register their first shot until the 33rd minute.

Manchester United won 3-0 at Brighton on the final day, their second away win there in three seasons. Bruno Fernandes set a new Premier League record for assists in a single campaign, and the result meant Brighton missed out on Europa League qualification.

Brighton needed multiple results to go their way to break into the top six. Despite that, they started in a controlled way in the heat and looked confident of holding up their end of the bargain.

It was difficult for Brighton to create chances against a stubborn United defence. Their best moment in the first 20 minutes came when Maxim De Cuyper cut in from the left and curled a shot just wide of the far post.

United waited until the 33rd minute to register a shot, but they made it count and took the lead.

Patrick Dorgu returned to the starting lineup for the first time since January. The Dane scored his third goal in as many starts, heading in Fernandes’ corner off the underside of the bar. 

The assist took Fernandes to 21 Premier League assists this season, setting a new outright all-time competition record.

That goal shifted the momentum completely. The visitors almost made it 2-0 straight away when Luke Shaw fired an effort just wide.

Fabian Hurzeler’s side never recovered after that scare. Brighton were undone again right before half-time, and this time in style.

Amad Diallo passed to Mason Mount, who returned the ball by playing the Ivorian in down the inside right channel. Diallo squared for Bryan Mbeumo to tap in his second goal in as many matches. 

It was also Mbeumo’s ninth Premier League goal involvement against Brighton, a career-high for the Cameroonian.

The Seagulls were booed off at half-time, and the mood among the home fans got worse after the restart.

Dorgu beat the offside trap to get on the end of Amad’s pass, then set up the overlapping Fernandes to fire in United’s third.

Brighton looked stunned, and only three good saves from Bart Verbruggen stopped Dorgu and Amad from adding to United’s lead.

Defeat on the final day. pic.twitter.com/hItmRt5BDr

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) May 24, 2026

  

Diego Gomez directed a low shot wide, but Brighton never really tested Senne Lammens on a disappointing afternoon.

Two straight defeats without scoring mean Brighton will play in the UEFA Conference League next season. This was only their third loss in nine Premier League meetings with United.

United finished the season strongly, with Leny Yoro hitting the bar late on. They head into the summer with five wins in six games and a 24th win on the final day. Only Arsenal have more final-day wins in Premier League history.