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Manchester United once again came undone against Brighton and Hove Albion, losing 2-1 at the Amex Stadium on Saturday after an injury-time winner from Joao Pedro.
The Seagulls have emerged as a bogey team since Erik ten Hag took charge and the same story continued while United’s away poor record under the Dutch manager shows no signs of abating anytime soon.
It was the hosts who drew first blood, against the run of play through former United star Danny Welbeck. United controlled possession and pressed well but hardly created any chances due to the lack of a focal point upfront.
The manager once again chose to play a false-nine system which meant the Red Devils saw plenty of the ball and looked confident when playing out from the back.
False nine does not work
But the lack of runners in behind meant Brighton were comfortable sitting in their mid block as Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes all preferred the ball at their feet.
Ten Hag was forced to sub off Mason Mount and bring on Joshua Zirkzee, United’s hero from the last game, and it paid dividends as United got in behind the team from the South Coast for the first time in the game with Amad scoring.
And with the introduction of Alejandro Garnacho, United posed an even more serious threat and the Argentine almost scored the second, only for an unlucky deflection from Zirkzee to rule it out for offside.
Strangely, with the game there to be won, Ten Hag decided to take off his biggest threat and skipper for Scott McTominay, which immediately saw Brighton throw on all their attacking talent in trying to pinch the game.
In the end, that is what happened and fans will wonder what made the manager take off his talisman when the game was there to be won.
His choice of tactics, and lack of any real improvement at the back remain concerning. How could the former Ajax coach feel playing a false nine system is the best bet against a team who like to play a high line?
Familiar defensive issues remain with none of the players sure of where their fellow defender is which led to the stoppage-time winner.
Why sub off Bruno?
And shoehorning players into strange positions is another habit that is costing the team. Bruno played as a left winger while Zirkzee dropped deep when it should have been the opposite.
The manager’s changes were game-changing in his first season but now they rarely make sense. On Saturday, it allowed the hosts to build up a head of steam to pinch the game when it should have been the opposite.
INEOS have supported the manager enough. And there are no real improvements to be seen. Yes, the team is more comfortable with the ball and are pressing well but what next?
The team seems to be oscillating between extremes — last season it was all about high transitions, and this term it seems all about keeping the ball and playing through the press.
Ten Hag needs to buck up and get his act together. Unlike the Glazers, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co will not hesitate to pull the plug if things do not improve soon.
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2024-08-24 14:00:09
