Erik ten Hag criticized three Manchester United players for their defensive errors in the team’s recent loss to Brighton, emphasizing the need for performance discussions. Meanwhile, Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler celebrated his side’s dramatic victory, secured by a late goal.
Erik ten Hag criticizes three Manchester United players and insists on discussions following the loss to Brighton
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag plans to address the defensive issues that allowed Brighton & Hove Albion to score a late winner at the Amex Stadium. He has called out three players for letting Simon Adingra cut in and make the crucial cross.
In the fifth of seven added minutes in the second half, Adingra’s back-post cross found Joao Pedro’s head, leaving goalkeeper Andre Onana powerless. Manchester United’s defense has faced heavy criticism, with Diogo Dalot, Noussair Mazraoui, and, to a lesser degree, Kobbie Mainoo all failing to prevent Adingra from cutting onto his preferred right foot.
Ten Hag did not mask his frustration with the three players after the final whistle confirmed a tough 2-1 defeat for his team.
“We didn’t stop the cross,” he said. “There were three players, right-footed players, who should have sent him down the line and not allowed the cross. We have to talk about this, how we act in that situation as a team.”
In the first half, Manchester United conceded when their former academy player, Danny Welbeck, scored from Kaoru Mitoma’s low cross. However, Ten Hag’s team equalized through Amad Diallo in the 60th minute.
The Red Devils appeared to have secured the win when Alejandro Garnacho scored in the second half. Still, VAR determined that his shot had deflected off Joshua Zirkzee, who was in an offside position, and thus the goal was ruled out.
Then Pedro scored the decisive goal, prompting Ten Hag to lament a performance he believed was full of mistakes. “There was more than one mistake,” he said.”We have to talk about it. We were close to winning this game, but we definitely shouldn’t lose the game.”
“Both goals are very soft goals. We should have done better. I have seen some good parts in the game and other parts. Early in the second half, we should have had more control of the game. In both boxes, we should be more clinical and aggressive.”
Brighton manager Fabian Hurzeler comments on the dramatic triumph over Manchester United
Brighton & Hove Albion secured a dramatic late win over Manchester United on Saturday, finding the net in stoppage time to snatch all three points from their astonished opponents.
The match seemed destined for a draw after Danny Welbeck’s goal for Brighton was canceled out by an Amad Diallo strike in the 60th minute, which deflected off Brighton’s Jan Paul van Hecke. However, the home team sealed the win in the fifth minute of stoppage time when Joao Pedro scored with a close-range header following a corner.
For Fabian Hurzeler, the right team emerged victorious
“It was very emotional. Always, when you get the win at the last minute, it is,” the Brighton manager told BBC Match of the Day. “I think we deserved to win, we had a good game not a perfect game. There were also situations where United had the chance to win the game.”
“I’m very proud of the team; they showed the value of never giving up, and that’s very important to me.”
“I think the first half was equal, and then in the second half, we started to control the game quite well. We had a lot of chances, especially in the second half.”
Hurzeler commended Joao Pedro for his performance throughout the game, which led to the decisive goal.
“I think Joao is a player who can decide the game with one action,” he said. “For me it was impressive today how he worked against the ball. He had the belief he would score and that’s something that makes him special.”
“But in the end, it’s always a team win, and that’s most important.”
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