Brighton Defeat: Man Utd Player Grades

Sophie Wakehurst

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Post on Jan 20, 2025

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Brighton Defeat: Man Utd Player Grades – A Post-Match Analysis

Manchester United's 4-0 loss to Brighton on the opening day of the Premier League season was a sobering experience, exposing significant vulnerabilities within the squad. This post-match analysis provides a detailed breakdown of individual player performances, offering a comprehensive assessment of their contributions (or lack thereof) to the dismal defeat.

Goalkeeper: David de Gea (4/10)

De Gea, while not entirely at fault for all four goals, had a game to forget. He offered little in the way of command in his area, and his decision-making appeared hesitant at times. While not directly responsible for every goal conceded, his overall performance lacked the authority usually expected from a goalkeeper of his caliber. He was simply unable to prevent the Seagulls from running riot.

Defenders:

Right-Back: Diogo Dalot (5/10)

Dalot struggled to contain Brighton's attacking impetus down the left flank. He was often caught out of position and lacked the defensive solidity required to cope with Brighton's quick and incisive passing. While he showed occasional glimpses of attacking intent, his defensive frailties significantly overshadowed any positive contribution.

Centre-Back: Harry Maguire (4/10)

Captain Maguire had a truly disastrous afternoon. He appeared slow, indecisive, and frequently out-muscled by Brighton's forwards. His lack of pace and poor positioning contributed significantly to several goals. He needs a significant improvement in form if he is to regain his place in the team.

Centre-Back: Lisandro Martínez (5/10)

Martínez, despite a few promising moments, found himself overwhelmed at times by Brighton’s attacking threat. His lack of height compared to Brighton's strikers proved a notable disadvantage. While he showed some determination, his overall performance was not enough to prevent the defensive collapse.

Left-Back: Luke Shaw (4/10)

Shaw, like Dalot, struggled to contain Brighton’s wide players. His defensive positioning was questionable, and he offered little support going forward. He looked off the pace and unable to cope with the fluidity of Brighton’s attack.

Midfielders:

Defensive Midfield: Fred (4/10)

Fred’s performance was far from inspiring. He lost possession far too easily, lacked creativity in the midfield, and was unable to provide the necessary defensive screen in front of the back four. He was simply overrun by Brighton's midfield dominance.

Central Midfield: Scott McTominay (5/10)

McTominay offered little in the way of creativity or defensive solidity. While he attempted to break up play at times, his passing was often inaccurate and he failed to provide the midfield presence United desperately needed.

Attacking Midfield: Bruno Fernandes (5/10)

Fernandes, usually a key creative force, had an unusually quiet game. He lacked his usual spark and influence, struggling to make an impact on the game. His frustration was evident, but his performance didn't reflect his typical high standards.

Forwards:

Right Wing: Jadon Sancho (5/10)

Sancho showed some flashes of brilliance, but lacked the consistency needed to trouble Brighton's defence. He struggled to get into dangerous positions and his end product was lacking.

Left Wing: Marcus Rashford (4/10)

Rashford was largely ineffective, failing to make a significant impact on the game. He appeared isolated and struggled to receive service.

Centre-Forward: Cristiano Ronaldo (5/10)

Despite his experience, Ronaldo struggled to make a meaningful contribution. He was starved of service and wasn’t able to influence the game as he would have hoped.

Substitutes:

The substitutes failed to significantly alter the course of the match and did not offer a marked improvement.

Overall:

The 4-0 defeat was a collective failure, revealing significant issues within the team. The lack of cohesion, defensive vulnerabilities, and lack of creativity were all starkly exposed. Manager Erik ten Hag will undoubtedly need to address these problems urgently to avoid a repeat of this disastrous performance. This match highlighted areas that require immediate attention and substantial improvement if Manchester United are to have a successful season.