Man United capitulate against Brighton: 3 things we learned
In the most shocking result of the young season, courtesy of a shambolic display of defending, a plucky Brighton crushed Manchester United.
Last week, Jose Mourinho’s side were lucky to get a 2-1 result against Leicester and it appears after today, that that was all of their luck used for the month as Brighton (who, by besting United in May, secured Premier League safety) thrashed the defending Premier League runners-up in their first home game of the season. Here are three things we learned this Sunday afternoon.
1. United really did need that defender in the summer
Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof were okay against Leicester’s continuously fluffed finishes last week but against a supposedly lesser Brighton side, they left Golden Glove winner David de Gea completely exposed to Brighton’s attack. The first way they did this was allowing Glenn Murray to get a foot to a low cross after shrugging off whoever was supposed to be marking him to make it 1-0.
On the second goal, in addition to providing inadequate marking, they couldn’t clear a corner which let Shane Duffy slot home the second about a minute and a half later. For the final Brighton goal, a shambolic Bailly challenge on Pascal Gross created a penalty opportunity that was promptly buried. This was the first time United had conceded three goals before half-time since 2015.
There were dozens of rumors about who United was targeting for that additional central defender, Spurs Toby Alderweireld and Leicester’s Harry Maguire chief among them. After today’s performance it’s fair to wonder whether they should have gone after two new center-backs due to Mourinho’s lack of faith in his other options, including Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones, and Chris Smalling. Because if the defenders aren’t marking and committing dumb fouls against a team who even their manager favors for a relegation fight, then what happens against higher quality firepower?
2. Brighton are ready for the relegation battle
As noted above, manager Chris Hughton think’s his squad’s number one priority should be remaining in the Premier League for a third consecutive season, which is a thoroughly optimistic way to say they’re in the fight for the 40 points usually seen as guaranteeing safety. Although, their opening fixture at Vicarage Road was a dud last week against Watford, they looked inspired playing at home.
The club invested nearly 70 million pounds this summer in new signings and while not all of them have made their debuts yet, based on today’s result they haven’t needed the depth yet. Glenn Murray continued to be ageless, as he turned his single touch in the box into a goal, Pascal Gross found space to work, and Anthony Knockaert displayed strength, ball control, and poise in the midfield, when his opponents were sorely lacking it.
The one area of concern for the Seagulls might be their defense, not because United pressured them well (the first goal by Lukaku was off of a freak bounce on a Luke Shaw shot that found the top of the Belgian’s head and the second was a penalty) but because Lewis Dunk had to leave the game about 20 minutes in after taking a knock on the ankle. Assuming Dunk gets fit quickly or that substitute Leon Balogun can perform as he did most of the game in Dunk’s absence, this shouldn’t be too stressful and mid-table is not out of reach.
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3. United are mentally and tactically a mess
The body language from many of the United players after going down 3-1 was nothing short of awful. Before Anthony Martial was removed at the half, he lashed out at a Brighton player to tack on a yellow card to his already bad day. Other signs of frustration included a minor incident in stoppage time which would have been red-card-worthy had Fred’s attempt to kick out at Glenn Murray connected with him instead of the air.
Even Paul Pogba got in on the ticky-tack fouling, but worse than the attitude was what can only be described as attacking play in the sense that it would have served United’s interest to score. Ashley Young made efforts that too often stalled, and physics-defying helper to Lukaku aside, Luke Shaw was equally ineffective in buildup though both full-backs seemed to be trying more than everyone else.
Fred was disastrous, not shielding his weak center-backs well or helping Pogba, Juan Mata, or Marouane Fellaini get forward to chase the game. Even the half-time subs Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard were unable to inspire United out of their toothless funk and given the way United’s passing was malfunctioning today it’s doubtful that even Alexis Sanchez’s dynamism would’ve helped the midfield today. All of this is a recipe for turning two-thirds of possession into one open play goal (and a fluky one at that) and a forty minute stretch without a shot on target.
Brighton play Liverpool next Saturday while United have to regroup to face Spurs on Monday night at Old Trafford.