Manchester United fell to their first defeat of the Premier League season, paying the price for two defensive lapses, losing in stoppage time away to Brighton.
Joao Pedro took full advantage for the Seagulls with a 95th-minute winner, as both sides could have taken the win. What a difference a week makes in football as the mood changes. The United faithful were buoyant after our 1-0 win over Fulham in the first league game but this took a hit on Saturday afternoon. It shows that Erik Ten Hag’s side still has work to do and improve on.
United largely in control but lose defensive concentration
Ten Hag named an unchanged side including the bench. It was the substitutions in the second half that did not affect the game as desired. The first half was largely in the favour of United controlling the possession. We could have had an early goal when Diogo Dalot came onto a pass from Andre Onana and supplied a superb cross into the box but Amad was unable to guide the ball on target.
Another opportunity came when Casemiro headed the ball over from Amad’s free-kick. Diogo Dalot attempted a long-range effort in the 26th minute as United pushed to take the lead. We had limited Brighton chances on goal until the 32nd minute. A Joao Pedro cross into the box that was neither dealt with by Maguire nor Onana. The danger had not been cleared as Karou Mitoma hit a lowball played into Danny Welbeck for him to tap home his 100th career goal against his former club.
The fault of the goal conceded could have been placed on Harry Maguire but this would be such a popular move if you read what had been said on social media during the game. The defence had a breakdown. Casemiro offered no support to Martinez as he found himself trying to mark two Brighton players. Diogo Dalot was absent in defensive support.
Ten Hag’s side responded with immediate action cutting through the Seagulls’ defence. Amad’s cross picked out Marcus Rashford whose effort was saved by Jason Steele. The ball rebounded off the number 10 into the net. However, the goal was ruled out as Rashford had strayed offside, which was confirmed by VAR. As the first half came to an end, the game became more open.
A cruel twist of fate
The second half saw Ten Hag take off Mason Mount, who had a good first half, and was replaced by Joshua Zirkzee. This saw captain Bruno Fernandes moved back into his preferred role with Amad and Rashford now more threatening in the United attack.
Unuted were in trouble when Brighton nearly made it 2-0 as Danny Welbeck rose highest in the box from the corner and put his header against the bar. Amad then picked up the ball on the right from Mazraoui, cutting in and driving the ball into the net via a deflection.
United were in the ascendancy and thought they had taken the lead from Alejandro Garnacho. Fernandes had played the ball across the box for the Argentine. However, it was not to be as the goal was ruled out as Joshua Zirkzee had slid and touch the ball with his knee before it crossed the line thus offside.
Our momentum then subsided after Ten Hag made his substitutions taking off Maguire and Fernandes in the process. Into stoppage time, Brighton were piling on the pressure. From a resulting corner in the 95th minute which was initially cleared but unable to clear our lines. Simon Adingra who had four United players around him in the box was able to float a cross over where Joao Pedro found himself in acre of space to head the ball home for the Seagulls to take all three points.
Player Ratings & MOTM
Andre Onana – 7. His long kick sparked a United attack in the first half. However, nearly gifted Brighton a goal after a short pass. Could have commanded the box better for both goals.
Diogo Dalot – 7. Delivered a perfect cross that Amad was unable to get on target. His goal line clearance stopped Brighton from doubling their lead.
Harry Maguire – 6.5. Part of the awful defending for the first goal but improved as the game went on.
Lisandro Martinez – 6. Was culpable like the rest of the defence for the opposition opening goal and again in second goal.
Noussair Mazraoui – 7. Calm and composed display.
Casemiro – 6. Was exposed and his passing went astray at times.
Kobbie Mainoo – 6.5. Didn’t have the influence on the game as Brighton clearly targeted him.
Bruno Fernandes – 6.5. Couldn’t be his creative self as opposition crowded him for much of the game. Surprised he was taken off by Ten Hag as United then lost their momentum.
Amad Diallo – 7 & MOTM. Lively throughout although some first-half errors in an emotional week for the Ivorian. Should have got the ball on target from Dalot’s cross in the first half. His persistence paid off as he grabbed the equaliser.
Mason Mount – 6.5. Played well and would have disappointed that he was not able to come back out for the second half.
Marcus Rashford – 5.5. Did not create enough attacking threat and unfortunately offside for the goal he scored.
Subs:
Alejandro Garnacho – 6.5. Unlucky that his goal was ruled out. Overhit a pass when United were launching a counter attack.
Joshua Zirkzee – 6. Was unable to have same impact as he did against Fulham. Just an accident that he got in the way of Garnacho’s goal.
Scott McTominay – 5. Came on for Fernandes which surprised most people. Couldn’t provide those cutting edge pass or did not get any good shooting positions.
Matthijs De Ligt- 5. Left Joao Pedro free to score the winning goal for Brighton but wasn’t the only one culpable for the goal.
Antony – n/a.
Looking ahead
Next up for United is Liverpool at Old Trafford next Sunday. Despite the lapses in our defending yesterday, they are positives to take from the game. We are only two games into the Premier League season, there is a long way to go.