Sir Alex Ferguson's simple pre-match advice for Ruben Amorim appeared to fall on deaf ears as the current Man United boss revealed advice he received from his legendary predecessor.
United's stars cut dejected figures at full-time on Sunday as Brighton recorded a convincing league double by way of a dominant 3-1 victory at Old Trafford.
Goals from Yankuba Minteh, Kaoru Mitoma, and Georginio Rutter proved to the difference after Bruno Fernandes hauled the hosts level from the penalty spot at 1-1 before United crumbled in the second-half.
Ferguson - along with a hose of United legends - was in attendance as Amorim's side slumped to a 10th Premier League defeat of the season and shared a brief moment with the Portuguese head coach pre-match.
The legendary Scotsman joined other icons associated with the club's glory days - that were largely orchestrated by him - in a show of remembrance for United legend Denis Law who passed away on Friday at the age of 84.
A host of touching pre-match tributes were held to remember a key member of United's 'Trinity' with Ferguson laying a wreath on the turf just moments before kick-off.
He then shared a relatively short exchange with Amorim who later revealed Ferguson had told him to 'stay positive' against one of the Premier League's most consistent overachievers.
Ferguson's advice failed to inspire United to extending their previous unbeaten run as a series of costly individual errors again frustrated supporters and Amorim seething with his side's efforts.
The Red Devils remain 13th in the Premier League standings as their worst-ever start to a new Premier League season continued as greater importance was placed on brining in fresh January reinforcements.
Those extra recruits could now be rushed through by United's INEOS-led sporting board as Amorim slammed his squad for being 'maybe the worst in the club's history'.
‘We are the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United,’ Amorim admitted.
‘I am saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change it. Here you go: your headlines.
‘It’s unacceptable to lose so many games. For any Premier League club, so imagine Manchester United?
‘The opponents are better than us in many details. I am just here to help my players, but we need to understand we are breaking all the bad records.
‘In 10 games in the Premier League, we won two. I know that. Imagine what this is for a United fan. Imagine what this is for me. We are getting a new coach who is losing more than the last coach. I have full knowledge of that.’
