Manchester United suffer worst ever defensive record in a Premier League season

Manchester United have now conceded more goals this season than they have in any previous Premier League campaign.

Ralf Rangnick's side went into this evening's showdown with Brighton & Hove Albion having shipped 52 goals in the 2021-22 season, two fewer than their previous worst mark of 54 in 2018-19.

However, the Red Devils equalled that unwanted record less than five minutes into the second half at the Amex Stadium, before a quickfire collapse saw them 4-0 down after only an hour.

Moises Caicedo gave Brighton the lead after only 15 minutes, and a spell of three goals in 11 second-half minutes saw the Seagulls take the game away from Man United.

Marc Cucurella got the first of those, before strikes from Pascal Gross and Leandro Trossard capped a dream spell for Graham Potter's side.

Rangnick, meanwhile, was left to lament arguably Man United's worst performance of a largely abject campaign which has left them sixth in the Premier League table and now mathematically out of the running for a Champions League spot.

56 - Manchester United have conceded 56 goals in the Premier League this season, their most in a single campaign in the competition. Alarming. pic.twitter.com/95BNpnJO5G

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 7, 2022

Man United had only twice previously conceded more than 45 goals in a single Premier League season, while Brighton had only scored four goals in a Premier League game on one previous occasion.

It is also the 12th time that Man United have shipped four goals in a league game in the nine years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired - as many as they did during his entire 810-game tenure in the league.

Only four teams - Southampton, Leeds United, Watford and Norwich City - have conceded more goals than Man United in the Premier League this season.

The Red Devils last conceded more goals in a season in 1978-79, when they shipped 63 and finished ninth in the old First Division.

4 - Manchester United have conceded 4+ goals in 12 Premier League games since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, as many times as they did in 810 Premier League games under Ferguson. Capitulated. pic.twitter.com/sKLkxmcO2e

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 7, 2022

Man United are also now guaranteed to end the campaign with their lowest-ever Premier League points tally, while today's result means that they have lost each of their last five away games - their worst such run since March 1981.

The 20-time champions will complete their season away to Crystal Palace on May 22, before incoming manager Erik ten Hag takes the reins this summer.