By Leo Hewitt-Provost
Brighton & Hove Albion (2) – Manchester United (1): A disappointing display from the away side, after a good response from Amad Diallo in the 60th minute to make it 1-1, Manchester United wasted a really good chance to go ahead, and paid the price, when Joao Pedro, the Brighton forward, crucified Erik Ten Hag’s side in the closing stages of the match.
It started fairly well for the Red Devils in the first half against the home side on Saturday, Erik Ten Hag’s men looked like they were executing the gameplan effectively, until they weren’t. Brighton scored in the 32nd minute, thanks to a beautiful cross from Japanese winger Kaoru Mitoma, who found his strike partner Danny Welbeck, left completely unmarked in the middle of the goal, the former Manchester United academy product only had to slot it in to make it 1-0 at halftime.
The home side were fearless going forward, and caused problems to the United back four constantly, Manchester United didn’t know how to deal with it; from the lack of communication between the centre backs and the full backs and the gaps between the midfield and the defence, it seems that there are recurring problems that urgently need solving. INEOS are aware of those issues, and whilst Manchester United have had a good window, new key signing Matthijs De Ligt can’t seem to get in the starting XI, instead only acting as a squad player, he who should be a starter. Erik Ten Hag, who coached the 25 year old Dutchman at Ajax, will need to get the best of his player, who is amongst the toughest in Europe.
Manchester United’s only option in the second half was to reply to this very aggressive Brighton team; Joshua Zirkzee, who had scored the only goal for Manchester United so far in this new campaign replaced Mason Mount, who seemed to be running around the pitch, not creating many opportunities. Amad Diallo, who had suddenly lost his stepmother the day before the match, told Erik Ten Hag he was available for selection on Saturday, which shows courage and bravery, this decision to play turned out to be a blessing for Manchester United fans, he scored the equalizer in the 60th minute and dedicated the goal to the woman he considered to be his own mother, a touching moment for the Ivory Coast international.
Ten minutes later, Alejandro Garnacho thought he had scored to make it 2-1 for his side, but Joshua Zirkzee, who was in an offside position got a touch of the ball: this moment was deemed crucial, because Brighton would have needed to come back from a 2-1 deficit had it not been for VAR.
After a very nonchalant period from the away side, the crucial blow came in the 95th minute, when the Brighton striker Joao Pedro was left completely unmarked on the backpost, and headered the ball to give his team two wins in two matches.
It is a brilliant start for Brighton and their new coach Fabian Hurzeler (only 31 years old and the youngest coach in Premier League history), who are now two for two and sitting second in the table, just behind the giants Manchester City.
Manchester United on the other hand have a lot to improve on, the absence of Rasmus Hojlund means that the Red Devils aren’t playing with a veritable number 9, and a lot of issues need to be addressed; between Marcus Rashford’s form, and the squad selection from Erik Ten Hag, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS need to sign more players, and quickly.