Manchester United lost their opening match of this Premier League campaign (1-2) to Graham Potter’s Brighton at Old Trafford. This is also Erik ten Hag’s first game in charge this season, and things couldn’t have gone worse.
Pascal Groß scored twice during the first half against the Red Devils and stunned the home team. For United, Rashford came close twice but blundered on both occasions.
Here are five things we learned when Manchester United hosted Brighton during the season opener for both teams.
The ‘McFred’ is not working for Manchester United!
Scott McTominay and Fred, often dubbed as ‘McFred’, were at the heart of United midfield yesterday. Their performances have been shambolic for a while now. Needless to say, this was the same case against Brighton as well.
Ten Hag is the third Manchester United manager who has played with this pair in the midfield. However, his system relies heavily on a ball-playing midfielder which none of them is capable of being. With the transfer market about to wrap up soon and Frenkie de Jong’s saga still continuing without a result, Manchester United and ten Hag would be desperate to have midfield reinforcements.
Manchester United need a striker!
Unlike Pascal Groß, United strikers had a humiliating game.
Erik ten Hag started the match with Christian Eriksen playing as a false 9. This system did not work out for United. Rashford especially had one of his worse outings in the United shirt. He got United’s best chance but stuffed it one-on-one against the keeper. He has been dismal for a while now, and it would be kind on ten Hag’s part to drop him from the starting eleven.
Manchester United also started the match with Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench. This sent a clear message to the player and fans that no one is undroppable. However, United was also abysmal going forward. Ronaldo came on for United during the second half however we did not see any fireworks apart from the chance he created for Rashford.
One thing is clear; United need to sign at least one quality striker before this transfer window ends. Ronaldo’s future is unclear, and Rashford and co. and not good enough to make the cut in this team.
Manchester United’s new signings have potential.
Both Martinez and Eriksen made their Premier League debuts for Manchester United against Brighton. Martinez looked really primed in the opening 25 minutes and had a decent game overall. Of course, it’s clear he needs time to settle down, but his future here looks promising.
On the other hand, Eriksen did not have a great start to his United debut playing as a false 9. However, when he moved to a DM position in the second half, he was arguably United’s best player. He has experience and skill, and that could really benefit United this season.
Welcome back, Welbeck!
A long, long time ago, Danny Welbeck was one of the rising stars at Manchester United. But ever since he left, he has a point to prove every time he faces his former club. The season opener was no different. He came hungry and on a mission and, for the most part, gave Martinez and Maguire a really hard time. It feels like he still has the potential to walk right into this United side.
Erik ten Hag needs time and support.
Before Ralf Rangnick left United, he made one thing clear: United needed about ten new players even to compete to rebuild the squad and compete for the Premier League title. Not a lot has changed post his leaving.
We have Erik ten Hag now, who is leading the charge to get us back to our glory days. For now, we have made zero signings who are our new managers’ first-choice players. This needs to change; the Glazers need to support him financially, and the fans need to be a bit patient and stand behind their new manager.
Maybe it takes two or three more transfer windows, but ten Hag looks like the man to do the job and fix this club. Trust the process.
