Video: United Women’s European dream all but dead after devastating 1-1 draw with Brighton

Manchester United Women’s chances of European football are all but over after failing to beat Brighton & Hove Albion. First half The visitors had the first chance when Caitlin Haynes headed over from a corner. Jelena Čanković was next to test the United defence, but her effort just sailed over Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s crossbar. United had their first chance when Melvine Malard was released down the left-hand side. The Frenchwoman ran at the Seagulls’ defence, cut in, and her fierce effort was well stopped by the keeper. The Red Devils were brutally punished after 39 minutes when Tullis-Joyce’s poor pass was not kept under control by Hinata Miyazawa, and Čanković received the ball, rounded the keeper, and slid the ball into the empty net to give Brighton the lead. Marc Skinner’s side almost responded before half-time, but Ella Toone’s hanging cross found the crossbar with Chiamaka Nnadozie all at sea in the Brighton goal. The half-time whistle blew, and United had much work to do at Leigh Sports Village. Second half United started well, and Malard’s sublime cross-field ball picked out Jess Park, who ran at the defence but dragged her left-footed effort wide. It was the Seagulls who almost doubled their lead when a teasing ball into the box was only just missed by Madison Haley. Ellen Wangerheim thought she was through on goal to score her first United goal, but she was called offside. Lea Schüller also came on as a substitute and rescued a point for the Red Devils in the 94th minute in dramatic style. Malard’s deflected cross fell kindly to the German, and she showed great instinct to half-volley the ball into the corner. The goal spared defeat but almost guaranteed no European football for next season. The women will play their final game of the season on Saturday, 16th May, away to Chelsea. Melvine Malard stats vs Brighton MetricValue Goals0 Assists0 Total shots1 Shots on target1 Shots blocked0 Offsides4 Touches35 Unsuccessful touches5 Dribbles (successful)2 (1) Possession lost19 Total carrying distance140.6 m Carries11 Progressive carries3 Total progression84.5 m Progressive carrying distance64.8 m Longest progressive carry25.1 m Key passes1 Crosses (accurate)0 (0) Accurate passes12/20 (60%) Passes in opposition half (acc.)8/15 (53%) Passes in own half (acc.)4/5 (80%) Long balls (accurate)2/2 (100%) Def. contributions2 Tackles (won)2 (0) Interceptions0 Clearances0 Blocked shots0 Recoveries2 Ground duels (won)9 (3) Aerial duels (won)5 (3) Dribbled past1 Source: Sofascore Featured image Alex Livesey via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Alex Browne Alex is a huge Manchester United fan, inspired by greats of his homeland such as George Best, Harry Gregg and Norman Whiteside. Alex has a Master’s degree from Queen’s University Belfast and La Universitat Rovira i Virgili in Tarragona, Spain. Having lived in the country since 2011, Alex is The Peoples Person’s Spanish football expert and is fluent in both Spanish and Catalan. He dreams of witnessing a United captain triumphantly hoisting the Premier League and Champions League trophy in the air once more.