In this round of the Premier League, Manchester United was killed off by Brighton in the 95th minute. The British Daily Mail commented: Remember when Manchester United would draw late in a match and Ferguson would check his watch, you knew what was coming next? Manchester United would win, of course. Now, things remain predictable, but in the opposite direction. However, we shouldn’t be surprised; this has become a habit for Manchester United, and against Brighton, no less. Manchester United’s loss rate against the Seagulls is higher than against any other Premier League team.
Manchester United spent 70 million euros in the summer of 2024 to bring in Mazraoui and De Ligt, aiming to strengthen their defense. However, the team has still been unable to resolve defensive issues since the start of the season, particularly in the last moments of matches, where they conceded goals once again.
According to statistics, since the 2022/23 season, Manchester United has the most last-minute losses in the Premier League, totaling six times, more than any other team. In the previous 30 seasons, Manchester United only lost in this manner twice.
In the match against Brighton, Manchester United did not show sufficient defensive strength. Coach Ten Hag adopted a conservative tactic too early in the game, replacing attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes with McTominay, and substituting De Ligt for Maguire. In a game requiring quick responses and precise handling, Ten Hag should have considered replacing Casemiro rather than Bruno Fernandes.
In Brighton’s goal, Manchester United’s defenders were too relaxed in their defending, lacking adequate vigilance against the opponent’s attack. Manchester United needs to enhance the players’ focus in the final moments of the game and improve their defensive awareness to avoid similar defensive lapses. If Manchester United wants to return to the top, they must solve their defensive problems; otherwise, achieving the team’s goals will be difficult.