Manchester United’s challenging start to the season hit a new low as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the hands of Brighton at Old Trafford. The loss kept them mired in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
Manager Erik ten Hag expressed his frustration with his players for not adhering to the new game plan, which he believed had initially shown promise before the match unraveled.
Ten Hag opted for a midfield diamond formation, a departure from his preferred 4-2-3-1 setup. The change seemed promising until Brighton took an early lead courtesy of Danny Welbeck.
Reflecting on the altered tactics, Ten Hag stated, “Absolutely [the system worked]… The first 20 minutes were very good. We have to stick to the plan [despite the goal] because it worked well. We had quite a few chances.”
However, according to the United manager, his players deviated from the plan, leading to their downfall. He acknowledged the need for improvements, particularly in organization, but emphasized the importance of staying positive during challenging moments.
Christian Eriksen, a midfielder for the Red Devils, echoed Ten Hag’s disappointment, highlighting missed opportunities and the need to address minor details that could turn their season around.
Eriksen stated, “The small things. We had the offside at Arsenal and today when we scored it was out of play. The small things we are missing and a bit of luck to get over the line and get something out of the effort we put in.”
Despite the difficult start to the season, Eriksen emphasized the team’s commitment to winning and the importance of improving their form.
Manchester United faces an uphill battle to reverse their fortunes and climb the Premier League table as they work to address their early-season challenges.