Man United host Brighton Old Trafford this weekend, a repeat of Erik ten Hag’s first game in charge of the Red Devils
Return to where it all began for Erik ten Hag this weekend.
Brighton travel to Old Trafford, the last and only team to defeat the Dutch Red Devils in a Premier League match on their home
ground.
That day, United was 2 goals down, rallied after the break but ultimately failed.
It was not a perfect performance and made Ten Hag think a lot.
Some problems are obvious:
What to do with Cristiano Ronaldo?
Why does Christian Eriksen play as a false number 9?
– and some are more nuanced:
United has psychological problems?
Are the players capable of carrying out the manager’s plans?
Ten Hag solved some problems on the first day, others remain.
His steady hand on Ronaldo ended the Portuguese star’s second season early and the signing of Rasmus Hojlund provides the profile of the player the Dutchman wants to lead the squad.
mine.
United’s transfer activities this summer have helped Ten Hag shape a team with a more authentic identity and improve quality.
Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat are better players than Fred and Scott McTominay.
Even Donny Van den Beek had to sit on the bench in the final of Brighton’s most recent trip to Old Trafford.
He’s fallen so far down the rankings now that it’s hard to see him playing that many minutes all season.
In goal, United turned to Andre Onana, who played a key role and could certainly play his part in improving the Red Devils’ ability to build out from the back.
Lisandro Martinez and Raphael Varane form an experienced and first-choice central defender duo, whose shortcomings now force Harry Maguire to sit on the sidelines.
But Brighton exposed United’s fragility last August and there are fears the Seagulls could do it again on Saturday.
The Red Devils had a weak foundation last season, conceding some poor goals and showing, on their first matchday 13 months ago, the first signs of a worrying mentality that would cause trouble.
damage to their season against the league leaders.
Many of these questions remain unanswered.
United are still unconvincing this season, being held to a draw after being behind by Tottenham, luckily beating Wolves and having to respond with a quick second loss to Nottingham Forest.
Last time out against Arsenal they played their part and could have won on another day, but in the end they lacked quality and cohesion.
After Brighton’s win at Old Trafford last season, Ten Hag said:
“We lost a class, we lost confidence and made mistakes.
They (the players) have to face failures and build confidence in each other.
When you are a constructive team, you will play well.“
United have shown they can do it, you don’t win the Carabao Cup and finish third in the Premier League without ability and attitude.
But they haven’t done that consistently enough throughout the campaign to dispel the doubts.
The Red Devils have opened this campaign with back-to-back wins at home and if they can pull off another win this weekend, against strong opposition, it will be a vital step towards proving proving that the lessons of last season have been learned.
The transfer window will soon close and although United already have three players in hand before the September 1 deadline, with Rasmus Hojlund joining Mason Mount and Andre Onana at Old Trafford, activity has stalled since then .
Goalkeepers, midfielders and strikers are Erik ten Hag’s priorities heading into the summer transfer window, but injuries at the start of the season mean United need more reinforcements.
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