Man Utd Player Ratings: Brighton Match Report

Sophie Wakehurst

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Post on Jan 20, 2025

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Man Utd Player Ratings: Brighton Match Report - A Disappointing Display

Manchester United's opening Premier League fixture against Brighton & Hove Albion ended in a frustrating 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford. The performance left much to be desired, raising concerns about the team's readiness for the season ahead. Let's delve into the individual player ratings and analyze the key aspects of the match.

Player Ratings: A Mixed Bag at Old Trafford

The performance levels were inconsistent across the board, with some players shining brighter than others amidst a generally underwhelming display. Here's a breakdown of the individual performances:

Goalkeepers:

• Andre Onana (6/10): Onana showed flashes of brilliance, demonstrating his composure and quick reflexes. However, he couldn't prevent both goals, and arguably could have done better on at least one of them. His distribution was largely effective, though.

Defenders:

• Aaron Wan-Bissaka (6.5/10): Wan-Bissaka offered a solid defensive presence on the right flank, providing necessary tackles and interceptions. His attacking contributions were limited, however.
• Lisandro Martinez (6/10): Martinez battled hard, but seemed to struggle at times against Brighton's attacking movements. He displayed his usual tenacity but couldn't prevent the Seagulls from finding openings.
• Victor Lindelof (5.5/10): Lindelof appeared less composed than his defensive partner, Martinez. He seemed caught out of position on occasion and struggled to deal with Brighton's pacey attacks.
• Luke Shaw (5/10): Shaw had a difficult match, appearing out of sync with the rest of the defense. He lacked the attacking impetus often seen in his game and struggled defensively.

Midfielders:

• Casemiro (7/10): Casemiro, as usual, provided a much-needed defensive screen in midfield. His experience and tactical awareness shone through, though he couldn't prevent the overall midfield dominance of Brighton.
• Mason Mount (6/10): Mount displayed glimpses of his talent but couldn't consistently impact the game. He worked tirelessly but often lacked the final pass or decisive moment.
• Bruno Fernandes (6.5/10): Fernandes, the captain, showed determination but couldn't pull the strings as effectively as he often does. His set-piece delivery was inconsistent.

Forwards:

• Marcus Rashford (7/10): Rashford was arguably United's most impactful player, showing his pace and directness. He scored United's only goal, but he needed more support from his teammates.
• Antony (5/10): Antony lacked the creativity and effectiveness seen in previous performances. He struggled to make an impact and failed to provide the necessary support for Rashford.
• Alejandro Garnacho (6/10): Garnacho showed some promise as a substitute, injecting much-needed pace into the attack. However, he didn't have enough time to significantly change the game's outcome.

Tactical Analysis and Key Moments

Manchester United's tactical setup appeared flawed, leaving gaps in midfield and allowing Brighton to dominate possession. The team struggled to press effectively and create clear-cut chances. Brighton's incisive passing and movement caused significant problems for United's defense. The goals conceded highlighted the defensive vulnerabilities.

The introduction of Garnacho added some much-needed dynamism, but by that point, the damage was already done.

Conclusion: Areas for Improvement

The defeat against Brighton serves as a stark reminder of the work that lies ahead for Erik ten Hag. Improving defensive solidity, midfield control, and overall team cohesion are crucial to achieving a successful season. While individual brilliance can occasionally paper over cracks, a more cohesive and tactically astute approach is essential for Manchester United to contend for major honours. The coming weeks will be crucial in determining if the team can learn from this opening day setback.