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Manchester United took on Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex stadium on Saturday lunchtime and named an unchanged side from their first game against Fulham on opening weekend.
Andre Onana kept his place in goal while Noussair Mazraui started at right back, aiming to build on an impressive debut last week. Diogo Dalot started alongside Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire retained his starting berth ahead of Matthijs de Ligt.
Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount made up the midfield trio.
Despite a death in the family, Amad Diallo kept his place and was joined by Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes up front. Joshua Zirkzee and Alejandro Garnacho had to make do with a spot on the bench despite an impressive display last time out.
Here are three things we learned from the match against the Seagulls.
United continue to have a soft underbelly
Despite a relatively controlled start where United demonstrated good defensive control, there was a familiarity to last year where they would often concede under the slightest bit of pressure.
Whilst there was clearly a better tactical solidity, lack of concentration mixed with poor decision making allowed Brighton to jump into an undeserved lead.
The Red Devils switched off at exactly the wrong moment as Maguire inexplicably decided to leave a dangerous ball from the right which was eventually turned back for a grateful Danny Welbeck to slot in.
Objectively Maguire put in a very solid performance against Fulham but all-too familiar errors creeped into his game and he will be disappointed not to have dealt with the situation more confidently on reflection.
Perhaps it will have cost him his place against Liverpool where fans may expect new signing De Ligt to begin his partnership with Martinez.
The whole defensive line were to blame for the last gasp Brighton winner where they all switched to the right and left Joao Pedro in acres of space to bury the winner. A scarcely believable example of exactly what United need to fix if they are to become the team their fans want them to be.
Lack of number nine remains an issue
Despite some positive aspects of United’s play, the Red Devils’ first half display once again mirrored the problems versus Fulham on opening day.
Amad Diallo fluffed a great chance after a wonderful cross from Diogo Dalot and missed a chance to play in Marcus Rashford on the counter.
However, as we saw on opening day, the lack of number nine to hold up play and connect with the midfield often left the side looking toothless despite good possession statistics.
For that reason Joshua Zirkzee was introduced at half-time, 15 minutes earlier than he got a chance to make his mark on opening weekend.
Despite costing Garnacho a goal in an unfortunate deflection, the Dutchman held the ball up well and showed off strong technical play to launch numerous breaks out to the two widemen, as United were more dangerous in the second half.
Erik ten Hag will be hoping that with the return of Rasmus Hojlund and getting Zirkzee up to match fitness, will mean this is a problem the club will not have to face too many more times this season.
Diogo Dalot impresses again
Last year’s players’ player of the season has started off this season in a similar vein of form as he finished the last.
The Portuguese pulled off a wonderful cross early in the first half when he won the ball out wide and chased his own flick on to whip in a wonderful first time ball that Amad should have buried.
Dalot was also very strong in defence as he regularly stood up to the attacking threat of Yankuba Minteh, as he regularly won their one on one battles.
He was also the quickest to react when Brighton felt they had added to their lead early in the second half but he cleared off the line to stop what would have been a certain goal.
His performances are even more impressive viewed in the context that he is playing as a left back to cover for United’s lack of fit options in that position.
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2024-08-24 13:42:42
