Manchester United 1-3 Brighton: Four Things We Learned

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Manchester United couldn’t make it consecutive home wins, with Brighton proving to be a nightmare again for them as they lost 3-1 at Old Trafford. Here are four things learned from Manchester United’s win against Southampton:

Devilishly Poor Starts Haunt United

Manchester United’s habit of conceding early continues to frustrate fans and fuel poor performances. The Red Devils have now let in the first goal in all of their last five home league matches, with three of those coming inside the opening five minutes. This lack of urgency from the outset is palpable, draining energy from both the players and the crowd. Supporters who invest time and money to attend matches deserve to feel excitement, but the team’s sluggish starts leave them disillusioned. A lively beginning could ignite the fans, whose energy, in turn, might lift the players. Instead, United’s lethargy sets the wrong tone, allowing opponents to seize control and dictate the game.

United’s issues extend beyond slow starts. The team consistently lacks urgency, creativity, and initiative in attack. Matches often feel devoid of direction, with no one stepping up to take charge. The recent game saw the side manage just a single shot on target – a penalty – highlighting the barren nature of their offensive play. Defensive lapses are another persistent issue. United frequently fail to hold their line, allowing opponents to stay onside, while their attackers are caught offside far too often. Despite balanced offside stats on paper, the team’s lack of attention to detail in these situations reflects amateurish play. Combined with an uninspiring tempo, this makes United a difficult side to watch – not for their opponents, but for their fans.

Amad Diallo: A Lone Bright Spot

If there’s one consistent positive in United’s performances, it’s Amad Diallo. The young forward remains at the heart of United’s best moments, using his dribbling skill to bypass defenders, create chances, and draw fouls. His pressing intensity earned the team a first-half penalty in the recent fixture, and his intelligence in using the attention he now attracts to open up space for teammates is commendable. Diallo has become the undisputed MVP of this United side, his performances shining amid a sea of mediocrity. Yet relying on a 22-year-old to carry the team underscores the wider issues within the squad.

A Lesson from Brighton’s Minteh

Yankuba Minteh’s dynamic display for Brighton offered a glimpse of what Ruben Amorim wants from his wing-backs – a combination of energy, offensive threat, and defensive reliability. Minteh not only scored Brighton’s opener but also disrupted United’s attacks with key interceptions and relentless running. In contrast, United’s current wing-backs, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui, lack the dual-threat capability Amorim desires. While Minteh is unlikely to be available at an affordable price anytime soon, his performance served as a blueprint for how Amorim’s system could evolve.

A Season of Painful Lessons

Amorim has already admitted that inconsistency will define United’s season, and recent matches have proven him right. Without individual brilliance to rescue them, the team was thoroughly outplayed by Brighton. Despite questionable refereeing decisions, Brighton deserved their victory, leaving United to grapple with yet another disheartening result. The focus now shifts to damage control in the Premier League and aiming for a respectable showing in the Europa League. For United fans, this season may feel like a write-off – a necessary period of short-term pain for the hope of long-term progress.

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