Reds suffer last minute heartbreak

Manchester United suffered their first defeat of the season on Saturday, conceding a stoppage-time winner against Brighton.

While there were some positives, it was still a highly frustrating match, where United showed some questionable defending.

Brighton have become United’s ‘bogey team’ since their arrival into the Premier League, with the Seagulls beating the Reds seven times in the league since 2017, four of which have come against Erik ten Hag. And Saturday was yet another day to forget for United.

The manner of the defeat was especially disappointing. Joao Pedro’s late winner highlighted a lack of defensive cohesion, with not just one, but several United defenders failing to close down the space, leaving Pedro and at least two other Brighton players unmarked.

Ten Hag, in his post-match comments, acknowledged the softness of the goals conceded and stressed the need for better defensive discipline.

Post-match the manager said, “I think we are always looking for individuals who to blame. Both goals are very soft goals and we should have done better, that’s for sure.”

It’s becoming a worrisome trait that United concede so many goals late on in games, with United losing six games after the 90th minute since Erik ten Hag’s arrival, three of which came last season. Hopefully, something that can be rectified with consistent defensive personnel.

United came agonisingly close to taking the lead through Alejandro Garnacho but his effort inadvertently hit Joshua Zirkzee in an offside position. Which could have changed the game and ultimately the narrative.

However, it’s still only early in the season and still plenty of time for things to turn around at Old Trafford. Hopefully, fortunes can change against Liverpool on Sunday afternoon.

Manuel Ugarte has the potential to feature in that game following his move from PSG for £42million plus add-ons. The Uruguayan is a ball-winning midfielder who could help United plug the holes they so often created in the midfield last season. He is also physically robust, missing only a few games through injury in his career.

Elsewhere this week United have made further sales, with Scott McTominay heading to Napoli and Hannibal Mejbri off to Burnley. They are joining the other 12 who have left Old Trafford this Summer permanently, as United have needed to sell to spend. With the Reds spending over £180million and earning around £90 million in sales.

This may not be a viable option every season as the Reds will need to increase their revenue, so they can invest more in the future. This can be done by qualifying for the Champions League and its lucrative broadcasting fees.

United’s new sporting department has had a good first transfer window on paper, but how the five new signings will adjust to this evolving side is unforeseen. Their approach has to be admired though, securing talented young players for a fair price, now Erik ten Hag has to get the best out of them.

A good result against Arne Slot’s Liverpool could spark a similar resurgence to Erik ten Hag’s first season. A 2-1 win on that day helped kickstart what went on to be a positive season under Ten Hag, but he’ll first have to beat his old rival from his time in Holland, where Ten Hag’s Ajax often competed for titles against Slot’s Feyenoord.