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It's one of those days where that underwhelming feeling enwraps the red part of Manchester. After getting off to a flier in the last season, Manchester United have struggled to replicate the same in the opening weeks of the new campaign.
They were swept aside by a resolute and well organized Brighton side who looked more keen on coming out on top in every single battle that transpired on the pitch.
As United struggled to stamp their authority early on, right at the stroke of 25 minutes, Glen Murray came up with a cheeky finish that bamboozled David de Gea to put Chris Hughton's men ahead. Inside 2 minutes from then, Shane Duffy scored after play got scrappy inside the United box from a corner.
Manchester United hit back after that and Lukaku scored his first goal of the season though it was far from convincing. However, before United could make their new found momentum count, Pascal Gross converted from the spot after Eric Bailly's reckless challenge afforded them a penalty.
Pogba converted from the spot for the second successive game but it came all too late to significantly impact the proceedings.
United looked insipid and their body language was far from flattering. On that note, let's take a look at the 3 reasons why the Red Army failed at the Falmer Stadium yet again.
#3 Defensive set up is starting to look meaningless
Once again, like it happened against Leicester, they let their opponents get comfortable in possession. Andreas Pereira was usually seen walking alongside Eric Bailly and Victor Lindelof in a role more withdrawn than human life at the south pole. With the kind of attacking power that Manchester United have, it is a pity to watch them set up so defensively against a side such as Brighton. With players who have plenty of flair like Fred, Andreas Pereira, Pogba, Mata and Martial, Manchester United were happy to sit deep and hit their opponents on the counter.
The cautious approach has often led United to disappointment. They showed urgency only towards the fag end of the game and if they were dreaming of reaping rewards for that, they should just go back to sleep.
Manchester United, or rather, Jose Mourinho needs to understand that his players are capable of doing a lot more and instead of letting the players adapt to a system that is so uninteresting in nature, he should perhaps, change the tactical set up into something that suits the talent he has at his disposal.
#2 Manchester United's shambolic defending
Eric Bailly is a top defender on his day. But that's no excuse for the sub-par show he put on against Brighton. If he let the cross pass through his legs to get to Murray for Brighton's opener, he was arguably late to react for their second.
His reckless, unnecessary challenge that gave away a penalty which resulted in Brighton's third was hardly the stuff you'd want to watch from a Manchester United centre-back. Even subsequently, he did not look sure-footed and looked like a disaster waiting to happen.
Victor Lindelof was still better but Manchester United have got to do better at the back or they'll risk losing points on a regular basis and that is something Jose Mourinho or the club can afford to do given the toxic environment they find themselves in.
#1 It's time to get Jesse Lingard on for Juan Mata
It is quite difficult to discern what exactly Juan Mata is doing on the right side of the pitch for Manchester United. He was never a fast player and with age, he has gotten even slower. However, Jose Mourinho has started him in both games so far.
Mata has failed to do anything of note over the two fixtures. He failed to pop up in spaces that could have threatened the Brighton defence- something which Jesse Lingard seems to be able to do with ease.
There is no mobility when Mata is playing alongside Pogba, Fred and Andreas Pereira. Fred and Pereira were negative in their approach and Mata being stuck in a swamp on one side, failing to offer width or penetration was a frustrating thing to behold.
Jesse Lingard is a smart player and he proved this over the course of the last season. Why he does not get the nod ahead of Juan Mata should baffle everyone if this goes on.
Lingard is perhaps the only Manchester United player who makes daring runs that can upend defences and he has the ability to hit the target from range and is also a great passer of the ball.
It's time for Manchester United to get their act together and Jesse Lingard should be at the centre of the new movement.
