Manchester United’s 2-1 loss to Brighton on Saturday has intensified the spotlight on under-fire manager Erik ten Hag.
The defeat, courtesy of a 95th-minute winner from Joao Pedro, has raised questions about United’s defensive capabilities despite heavy investment in the transfer window.
Ten Hag lamented his team’s defending, stating, “If you protect the goal like we do then you drop points… We concede two soft goals where we should act better as a team.” The Dutch manager’s concerns were evident as Matthijs de Ligt and Scott McTominay were caught out by Simon Adingra’s cross, allowing Pedro to score the winner.
Brighton’s victory marked a dream home Premier League debut for their 31-year-old boss Fabian Hurzeler. The win was a testament to Brighton’s resilience, as they snatched victory from the jaws of defeat after Amad Diallo’s deflected effort had cancelled out Danny Welbeck’s opener.
With Liverpool set to visit Old Trafford next weekend, the pressure is mounting on Ten Hag. Despite winning the FA Cup last season, United’s performances in their first two league matches have done little to suggest a marked improvement from their dismal 2023/24 campaign. Ten Hag’s future hangs in the balance, and only time will tell if he can turn things around.
