The match MU vs Brighton in round 5 of Premier League 2023/24 ended with a score of 3-1 in favor of the away team. Below are the highlights of this match.
TEN HAG TEST 4 4 2 DIAMOND FAILED
After a devastating defeat to Arsenal and with rookie Rasmus Hojlund fully fit, coach Erik ten Hag decided to switch to a 4-4-2 diamond formation when welcoming Brighton on Saturday evening, September 16. Bruno Fernandes plays in defense behind striker Rashford-Hojlund.
However, this scheme was not effective. MU gathered a lot of troops in the middle of the field but did not have many people on the wings. As a result, they couldn’t get to the border but had too many punctured wings. Brighton players comfortably penetrated MU’s two wing corridors and scored 3 goals.
RASHFORD IS TOO PERSONAL
Arranged as a striker with rookie Hojlund, Rasford almost refused to pass the ball to his new teammate. He just aimed to finish even though the accuracy rate was 0.
Only in situations where Rashford is surrounded and has no way out will he pass. But then Hojlund had no space left. This couple once put the ball into Brighton’s net but… it was not recognized.
COACH DE ZERBI IS TOO HIGH-HANDED
While Ten Hag was confused with MU’s playing style, on the front line, De Zerbi showed his skill. He let the students play slowly and steadily on their home field in the first minutes, waiting for MU’s excitement to pass before rising up to crush their opponents.
De Zerbi’s personnel choices are also very high quality. Welbeck scored the opening goal and made MU’s defense miserable. Meanwhile, Lamptey has 2 assists. Although Mitoma is not too prominent, he still has significant contributions. In short, Brighton under De Zerbi is too stable and high quality.
WELBECK – MU’S VILLAIN
With the opening goal in this match, Danny Welbeck has scored 4 goals against MU in the Premier League, more than any other former player when facing his old team.
The former Carrington training product has now scored 63 goals in the Premier League, more than many famous stars such as David Beckham, Stan Collymore, Yaya Toure, Robert Pires and… Anthony Martial.
BRIGHT SPOT HANNIBAL MEJBRI
In a dark day at Old Trafford, there was still a bright spot. It was a beautiful goal from young talent Hannibal Mejbri, who is only 20 years old. Coming on to replace Casemiro, he had a beautiful long-range shot to score an honorable goal for the Red Devils.
With Mejbri’s good performance, perhaps it is time for Coach Ten Hag to give more opportunities to young players at MU instead of trying to hope for stars who are starting to decline.