Brighton beat Manchester United 4-0 at the Amex Stadium to ensure the visitors finish the season with their worst points tally in the Premier League era.

The humiliating defeat on the south coast means Ralf Rangnick’s side can no longer match the 64 points they secured in the 2013/14 campaign as the German’s penultimate game in charge hit a new high hollow.

A fine strike from Moises Caicedo early in the first half (15) was completed after the break by goals from Marc Cucurella (48), Pascal Gross (57) and Leandro Trossard (60) as Brighton, who did not had won the most at home since Boxing Day, remain on course for their best top-flight result.

After defeats at Manchester City, Everton, Liverpool and Arsenal before that, United have now lost five consecutive away games in the Premier League. It is their longest run since a series of six between December 1980 and March 1981.

How Brighton embarrassed Man Utd

Brighton dominated from the start and Caicedo scored his first goal for the club in the 15th minute when he capitalized on the ball’s ricochet off Alex Telles to place a low drive inside the post from outside the box .

Trailing 1-0 at the break, United boss Rangnick responded by bringing in 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, shooting into the roof of the net from close range, before Pascal Gross slotted past David de Gea nine minutes later.

Leandro Trossard added a fourth when Diogo Dalot’s goal-line clearance following a complex passing motion from Brighton bounced off his chest and into United’s goal.

Brighton continued to dig holes in the United defense and put pressure on, but were unable to add to their tally.

United have now conceded 56 Premier League goals 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 are five points behind fourth-placed Arsenal with one game to play.

Brighton are ninth, five points from a place in the Europa Conference League with two games to play.

Rangnick: Terrible Man Utd humiliated

Ralf Rangnick has apologized to Manchester United supporters after saying his “terrible” side were “humiliated” on the South Coast.

When asked if the performance was the worst of his tenure, he said sky sports: “Yes it was from the first to the last minute.

“Not enough in all important areas. We were second. We can only apologize to the fans. It was a terrible performance and a humiliating defeat.

“We gave them too much time, too much space. We couldn’t put ourselves in a position to stop them playing through our lines. The game plan was completely different. We told the players to be as compact as possible and then to release the pressure on them. We couldn’t stop them.

Bruno: We are not fit to wear the jersey

Manchester United fans packed away at the Amex but their anger at the team was easy to hear after they conceded the fourth goal, chanting en masse: ‘You are not fit to wear the shirt .”

Asked about the songs, the captain of the day Bruno Fernandes agreed with the supporters.

He said sky sports“What we did, and by myself, was not enough to be in a Manchester United shirt. I accept that. It’s not good enough.

“They outplayed us. They always had a solution. They pressed us better and they deserved the result.

“A bit of everything went wrong. Quality. Mentality. They deserved to win and we deserve to be in the position we’re in now.”

Potter hails a fantastic victory | Dunk: a special day

After guiding Brighton to their best Premier League season since promotion in 2017, Graham Potter was delighted to hand the club’s supporters a first home win since Boxing Day.

He said sky sports: “It was nice to give the supporters a performance and a memory, so we are delighted.

“We played well from the start and I thought we were the better team. The boys did everything they could based on what we asked them to do.

“They defended well, pressed well, created danger and were brave with the ball. It was a fantastic performance.

“We are at 47 points now, which is an improvement. We are really happy.”

Brighton captain Lewis Dunk said: “It’s a special day. United are a top team and we’ve let our home fans down this season so it’s been a good time.”

Opta stats: Brighton record biggest top-flight win

• It was Brighton’s biggest ever win, in their 356th game at this level.
• The loss leaves Manchester United on 58 points with just one Premier League game remaining this season, ensuring that 2021/22 will see their lowest points tally in a campaign in the competition (previously 64 in 2013/14).
• Manchester United have conceded 56 Premier League goals this season, their highest in a single campaign since 1978-79 (63).
• Manchester United have lost five consecutive away league games for the first time since March 1981 under Dave Sexton (series of six).

And after?

Brighton travel to Leeds for their penultimate Premier League game of the season on May 15 (kick-off 2pm). They then end the campaign at home to West Ham seven days later (kick-off 4pm).

Manchester United have one game remaining from the Ralf Rangnick era. They will travel to Crystal Palace on May 22 (kick-off 4pm).

Brighton’s remaining fixtures

May 15 – Leeds

May 22 – West Ham (h)

Man Utd’s remaining game

May 22 – Crystal Palace (a)