I know we won but he’s my man of the match…None of my teammates were able to stop him despite a strong warning from our coach, I’m lucky to be awarded Man of the Match because I know he deserves it better”: Brighton’s superstar hails ONE Man United’s player who was unstoppable for his teammates as he claims the star deserves the Man of the Match than him

Manchester United faced a challenging situation in their recent match, where Mason Mount, who had been performing exceptionally well, was substituted, and Matthijs de Ligt struggled to fill the defensive gap left by Harry Maguire. Manager Erik ten Hag now finds himself with a complex dilemma and an obvious solution that should have been addressed earlier.

The sequence that led to Brighton’s goal began with a decent but hopeful cross from Joao Pedro into the penalty area. Both Harry Maguire and Noussair Mazraoui had opportunities to deal with the initial cross and the subsequent driven pass by Kaoru Mitoma. However, it was Danny Welbeck who managed to get a slight touch on the ball, directing it into the back of the net.

As expected, the TV cameras zoomed in on Maguire, capturing his typical look of confusion. On social media, the criticism was swift, with fans suggesting that the answer might lie with Eric Dier, who was watching from the bench. However, if fans are looking for awareness, leadership, and proactive defending, they might be disappointed as Matthijs de Ligt later demonstrated that he might not fit the bill either.

While Maguire could have cleared the ball, Mazraoui also had the chance to do so. Unfortunately, Maguire ended up looking foolish as Mitoma’s low cross slipped between the legs of the Moroccan defender.

When Welbeck scored, Brighton had three forwards against two United defenders. Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo failed to recognize the danger, and Lisandro Martinez, one of the two defenders, made the baffling decision to mark Yankuba Minteh, who was farther from the ball than the unmarked Welbeck in the center of the goal. The entire sequence was a result of poor defending.

Among the United defenders, Diogo Dalot stood out as the only one displaying the necessary authority. The Portuguese international effectively handled the direct runs of Minteh and emerged as United’s most creative outlet in the first half. His impressive crosses and cross-field passes, often executed with his weaker left foot, were a highlight.

Brighton’s goal came somewhat against the run of play, and in the first half, everything positive about United’s performance involved Mason Mount. He was energetic, leading the press, linking up well with Bruno Fernandes, and frequently getting behind the defense thanks to passes from the United captain. Mount was likely United’s best player in the first half, yet he was the one sacrificed at halftime.

While it’s hard to fault Erik ten Hag for substituting Mount, as it was probably the right decision, the real issue lies in the fact that Mount seems out of place in the team. Despite playing close to his best, his presence just doesn’t fit.

Ten Hag is unlikely to bench Bruno Fernandes, and he’s focused on getting Marcus Rashford back to his top form, which is a sensible approach because once Rashford is in form, he’s almost unstoppable. Although Amad didn’t have a great game, keeping him on the field turned out to be a smart move as he cut inside to score the equalizer in the second half. Additionally, Joshua Zirkzee’s presence as a focal point, despite his large frame preventing United from taking the lead, was necessary.Zirkzee, who had been a hero the previous week, turned into a villain in this match. He made a desperate attempt to reach Fernandes’ cross but missed, only to accidentally deflect Alejandro Garnacho’s shot off his knee from an offside position. Zirkzee knew instantly that he had inadvertently prevented what could have been a beautifully crafted goal, with Fernandes’ overlap of Amad being particularly brilliant.

United posed more of a threat after Mount’s substitution, but Brighton also became more dangerous. This will be a recurring dilemma for Ten Hag, who now has to choose between a solid defense and an expansive style of play. More often than not, he will likely lean towards the latter, as playing without a striker will become increasingly unacceptable if United continues to lose matches.

United lost this match due to their inability to defend during the second phase of play. De Ligt and Scott McTominay were drawn to the ball like inexperienced schoolboys. Although Joao Pedro, who had been brilliant throughout, scored the goal, he had two teammates waiting behind him, with none of the nine United players in the box close to marking them. Simon Adingra’s cross was beautifully lofted to the back post, where Pedro headed it in.

Fortunately for Ten Hag, this is an issue that can be easily fixed. Reminding his players that football is a continuous game, where one phase follows another, is something that could and should be addressed in a single training session. However, the fact that it hasn’t been resolved yet raises questions. This isn’t just a Maguire problem; it’s a Manchester United problem.

The more complex issue is how Ten Hag can effectively incorporate Mount into his team while also including a striker. It’s clear why having Mount on the field could be beneficial, but it’s also evident from the first two games of the season that United will struggle to create chances without a proper striker.

Manchester United’s recent performance against Brighton highlighted a series of tactical and defensive issues that have created a significant dilemma for Erik ten Hag. Despite some positive moments, particularly from Mason Mount and Diogo Dalot, United’s inability to defend in critical situations cost them the game.

The first half saw United control the match, with Mason Mount standing out as the key player, combining well with Bruno Fernandes and pressing effectively. However, despite Mount’s contributions, Ten Hag decided to substitute him at halftime, likely for tactical reasons, but this decision inadvertently led to a loss of balance in the team.

Defensively, United struggled, particularly in dealing with Brighton’s crosses and subsequent plays. Matthijs de Ligt’s performance was underwhelming as he failed to fill the gap left by Harry Maguire, who himself was involved in the defensive breakdown that led to Brighton’s first goal. The confusion and lack of communication between Maguire and Noussair Mazraoui allowed Danny Welbeck to score, exposing a broader issue within United’s defensive structure.

The sequence that led to Brighton’s goal epitomized United’s defensive woes. Lisandro Martinez’s questionable decision to mark a less threatening player while Welbeck remained unmarked, combined with Casemiro and Kobbie Mainoo’s failure to anticipate the danger, resulted in a chaotic defensive display.

United did pose more of a threat after Mount’s substitution, thanks in part to the introduction of Joshua Zirkzee, but defensive frailties persisted. Zirkzee’s unfortunate deflection that led to an offside call on Alejandro Garnacho’s potential goal only added to the frustration.

The real concern for Ten Hag now is finding a way to integrate Mount effectively without compromising the team’s balance, especially when considering the need for a striker. United’s lack of a clinical forward is becoming increasingly problematic, as evidenced by their inability to capitalize on opportunities despite Mount’s creativity.

Ten Hag faces a difficult choice: prioritize a solid defense or an expansive attacking style. The recurring defensive lapses, particularly during the second phase of play, are issues that should be resolvable with focused training. However, the failure to address these problems so far suggests deeper tactical concerns that need urgent attention.

The challenge now is how to maintain Mount’s influence while also ensuring that United has a consistent attacking threat. Without a reliable striker, United’s chances of success this season may be limited, forcing Ten Hag to reconsider his tactical approach as the season progresses.