Scorers – Andreas Peirera (17’), Davy Propper OG (19’), Rashford (66’) – Dunk (64’)
3 key things from the match:
- The players stepping up.
Much has been said that the players were not playing for Jose Mourinho and are now doing so for Ole Gunnar Solsjaker. This then turned into the players not stepping up to play for the badge during their patchy run of form. But in the last few games certain players have stepped up their performance and responsibilities on the pitch and leading it is one player that Jose adored – Mctominay.
Not only does he take charge of the midfield but he gives the team the leadership and direction that has not been showed on the pitch. Alongside him, Fred has appeared more solid and confident in his own play. It’s worthwhile to note that Fred produced 4 key forward passes that led to goals with the best example the 3rd goal where he picks Martial early and allows him to get behind the Brighton defence. The $52m man may still justify his price tag.
Credit when due, United produced a hardworking performance filled with loads of intensity and energy from the pressing led mainly by the electric Dan James. Brandon Williams’s emergence in the first team leaves the injured Luke Shaw looking a forgotten man is showing the youth policy Ole is placing his faith is working.
This United team under Ole will be hardworking, functional and dangerous on the counter. Against teams that allow them this space, United will look dangerous. It is when they are not given this space that United will struggle to score and while 2 consecutive victories with at least 3 goals to their bank may seem like all is right, in context United played a team that are 4th in the Serbian league and a Brighton team that have struggled away collecting just 2 points from a possible 15.
2. OGS going old school – but back up required.
The victory in the last 2 games will give OGS some breathing space and time to get to the January transfer window but OGS must get the targets that he wants. For a United team that wants to play in crosses that were synonymous with Fergie’s era, United’s forward options and No.9 are not know to be strong in the air or target men. An injury to a few key places would regress United to their struggling form. Mctominay, Martial, Dan James, Maguire and Aaron Wan Bissaka are showing to be key pieces in this team and a long term injury to any of them, as shown with their upturn in form with the return of Martial, would be a huge setback for a team trying to get back into the top 4. With their rivals – Chelsea and dark horses Leicester in fine form, it is key for the said players to be fit and firing United every week.
The obvious thinness of the United squad means they have to prioritize targets. A target man, a playmaker, a central midfielder who can dictate the tempo and a right winger to rotate with James would certainly beef up Manchester United for the 2nd half of the season. Whether they can get these targets remains to be seen, but if all else fails, it’d be wise for them to take a leaf out of Jose’s book and win the Europa League. OGS’s preferred set up seems to be a 4-2-3-1 counter attacking set up, but if he were to really stake his claim as the way forward in the long run – he needs to be able have a plan B and that right now looks to be United’s Achilles Heel.
3.Brighton barely threatened but were not blown away.
The scoreline may flatter Manchester United, but Brighton stuck true to their form as they didn’t threatened Manchester United much. Apart from Dunk’s goal which exposed United’s preference for zonal marking, Brighton didn’t really give the United defence much trouble.
For a team that is playing solidly at home, Brighton’s possession did not provide much output as they were forced into a corner before having to play it long by United’s tactical pressing. They did not help themselves by playing with a line that is high and get caught out by United’s speedy forwards.
The introduction of veteran Murray and GroB changed the dynamics of Brighton and allowed them more presence in exchange for speed and gave them an outlet. For them to stay up, Brighton need to start picking up their form away from home to keep themselves in the middle of the table else they’ll find themselves in a relegation fight. They didn’t question United much and but they are not in torrid form to worry themselves too much. Set pieces seem to be their strength, but going forward, they have to find an outlet from open play.
Written by: Bazli
