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Manchester United as soon as once more got here undone in opposition to Brighton and Hove Albion, dropping 2-1 on the Amex Stadium on Saturday after an injury-time winner from Joao Pedro.
The Seagulls have emerged as a bogey staff since Erik ten Hag took cost and the identical story continued whereas United’s away poor document underneath the Dutch supervisor exhibits no indicators of abating anytime quickly.
It was the hosts who drew first blood, in opposition to the run of play by former United star Danny Welbeck. United managed possession and pressed properly however hardly created any probabilities as a result of lack of a focus upfront.
The supervisor as soon as once more selected to play a false-nine system which meant the Pink Devils noticed loads of the ball and regarded assured when taking part in out from the again.
False 9 doesn’t work
However the lack of runners in behind meant Brighton have been comfy sitting of their mid block as Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes all most popular the ball at their ft.
Ten Hag was pressured to sub off Mason Mount and produce on Joshua Zirkzee, United’s hero from the final sport, and it paid dividends as United acquired in behind the staff from the South Coast for the primary time within the sport with Amad scoring.
And with the introduction of Alejandro Garnacho, United posed an much more severe menace and the Argentine nearly scored the second, just for an unfortunate deflection from Zirkzee to rule it out for offside.
Surprisingly, with the sport there to be received, Ten Hag determined to take off his largest menace and skipper for Scott McTominay, which instantly noticed Brighton throw on all their attacking expertise in making an attempt to pinch the sport.
Ultimately, that’s what occurred and followers will marvel what made the supervisor take off his talisman when the sport was there to be received.
His alternative of ways, and lack of any actual enchancment on the again stay regarding. How may the previous Ajax coach really feel taking part in a false 9 system is the most effective guess in opposition to a staff who prefer to play a excessive line?
Acquainted defensive points stay with not one of the gamers positive of the place their fellow defender is which led to the stoppage-time winner.
Why sub off Bruno?
And shoehorning gamers into unusual positions is one other behavior that’s costing the staff. Bruno performed as a left winger whereas Zirkzee dropped deep when it ought to have been the other.
The supervisor’s adjustments have been game-changing in his first season however now they hardly ever make sense. On Saturday, it allowed the hosts to construct up a head of steam to pinch the sport when it ought to have been the other.
INEOS have supported the supervisor sufficient. And there aren’t any actual enhancements to be seen. Sure, the staff is extra comfy with the ball and are urgent properly however what subsequent?
The staff appears to be oscillating between extremes — final season it was all about excessive transitions, and this time period it appears all about maintaining the ball and taking part in by the press.
Ten Hag must buck up and get his act collectively. Not like the Glazers, Sir Jim Ratcliffe and Co won’t hesitate to drag the plug if issues don’t enhance quickly.
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