Manchester United fell to a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in their first away game of the season.
Former United striker Danny Welbeck opened the scoring for Fabian Hürzeler's side in the first half, tapping in from close range.
Amad Diallo brought the Red Devils level on the hour mark, as his strike took a heavy deflection off Jan Paul van Hecke before nestling in the back of the net.
Erik ten Hag's side thought they had taken the lead in the 70th minute when Bruno Fernandes rolled the ball across goal for substitute Alejandro Garnacho to tap in at the back post. However, the goal was disallowed by VAR after it was determined that the ball had touched the offside Joshua Zirkzee on the line.
Joao Pedro sealed the win for the hosts in stoppage time, steering a header past Andre Onana after being left unmarked at the back post.
Here are the key takeaways from the game.
United looked more solid but mistakes proved costly
Ten Hag's side showcased a more cohesive defensive structure against Brighton, echoing the improved solidity they displayed in their victory over Fulham at Old Trafford last Friday.
However, critical errors at the back once again proved costly for United. Lapses in concentration allowed Danny Welbeck to open the scoring with a close-range finish and left Joao Pedro completely unmarked at the back post for the decisive goal in stoppage time.
These defensive lapses exposed a recurring problem: while United's backline appears more organised and resolute having been boosted by the additions of Noussair Mazraoui and Matthijs de Ligt, their inability to manage crucial moments and prevent significant defensive errors continue to undermine their progress.
A lack of defensive organisation, a major issue for the Reds last season, has clearly been addressed and improved by Ten Hag this season. However, on the South Coast, it was individual errors that proved detrimental. Despite overall defensive progress, lapses in concentration at the back could still cost United dearly.
Rashford continued to struggle
Marcus Rashford failed to make an impact once again at the AMEX stadium. Despite a promising start, his impact dwindled as the game went on, with Brighton's defenders marshalling him effectively and limiting his influence in the final third.
The forward offered very little to the side in terms of attacking contributions and was eventually withdrawn midway through the second half with Ten Hag opting to bring on Alejandro Garnacho in an attempt to rejuvenate the attack.
Following a below-par 2023/24 season, in which the 26-year-old managed only eight goals in 43 games, Rashford has failed to explode into the new season, continuing his disappointing form.
Ten Hag has continued to put his faith in Rashford, but it is evident that the winger needs to improve significantly if he is to be a key player for the Red Devils in the coming seasons.
United fans will be hoping to see Rashford recapture his form from the 2022/23 season, where he scored 30 goals for the Reds, however, the forward seems a shadow of his former self at present. It will be interesting to see if Ten Hag persists with starting Rashford in next Sunday's huge clash against rivals Liverpool.
Mazraoui impressed again
The Moroccan full-back was a standout performer for United against Fulham last weekend and continued to impress at the AMEX Stadium.
Since joining the club from Bayern Munich earlier this month, he has proven to be an excellent acquisition, significantly bolstering United's full-back options. Arriving for a modest fee of £12.9 million plus add-ons, the defender has quickly become a valuable asset to Ten Hag's side, already showcasing his quality.
Defensively, Mazraoui was outstanding once again. Brighton's Karou Mitoma had a notably quiet game, largely due to the full-back's exceptional handling of him. Mazraoui’s astute defensive work meant Mitoma was largely neutralised, with most of Brighton's attacking threat instead coming from Yankuba Minteh on the opposite wing.
The right-back was also involved in United's goal, contributing with an assist and demonstrating his ability going forward. The Moroccan has proven he has much to offer the Red Devils, showcasing both defensive solidity and attacking prowess. His performances for United so far suggest he could be an excellent signing for Ten Hag's side.
United will feel unlucky
Losing by such narrow margins is always disheartening, especially when a victory seemed tantalizingly close. United’s performance was marked by several promising moments, and a few key moments could have dramatically shifted the outcome of the game.
Garnacho’s strike, which was ruled out after hitting the offside Zirkzee, was a prime example of how close United came to securing all three points. Had it been just a few centimetres either side of the Dutch forward, the result would have been very different, and United would have walked away with not only the win but also considerable praise for their efforts.
Despite the result, United's performance offered several positive takeaways. Ten Hag's side created a number of promising opportunities and were unfortunate not to have scored more than once. However, the two goals conceded were particularly disappointing. Both involved avoidable defensive lapses, casting a shadow over an otherwise strong display.
Adding to the frustration for Ten Hag was the injury to Mason Mount. Mount's withdrawal was a blow, as the 25-year-old had been an important player for United in the first half, leading United's press alongside Bruno Fernandes and making it difficult for Brighton to play out from the back.
Although the VAR decisions during the game were ultimately correct, they did little to alleviate the sense of injustice felt by United fans and players alike, and only added to the feeling of frustration. Despite these setbacks, the logic remains that if United continue to create chances and put in solid performances, the goals will eventually follow, and the team’s fortunes will likely improve.
