“Grave lack of concentration” – Man Utd’s defensive woes rear their head again as terrible run continues | OneFootball

The 2024/25 Premier League campaign got off to a positive start for Man Utd as they beat Fulham 1-0 in their opening game. However, they were made to work hard for that, with Joshua Zirkzee scoring the only goal late on. This was to be their first big test, though.

Brighton have had Man Utd’s number of late, winning four of the past five league meetings. The only success for Man Utd came on the final day of the 2023/24 season, when Brighton had nothing to play for. In fact, Man Utd went into the game having lost 43% of their 14 Premier League meetings with Brighton, their highest loss rate against a single opponent in the competition’s history.

The past three league games at the Amex have Brighton leading Man Utd 5-2, including a 4-0 victory. And even the 2-0 win in May doesn’t appear to have boosted Man Utd’s confidence in making the trip to the seaside.

Man Utd did slightly edge possession in the opening 30 minutes and had four shots to Brighton’s two. But, crucially, none of them had hit the target.

Brighton took the lead with their third shot. And this was where we saw Man Utd’s defence first falter. The initial ball into the box was teasing, but there was a chance for Harry Maguire to clear. However, the Englishman backed off to allow the ball across him and Noussair Mazraoui, essentially keeping the attack alive.

Maguire was then just too far away from Kaoru Mitoma’s second ball across the face of goal, with Danny Welbeck tapping in on the line. It was Welbeck’s 100th goal of his club career, 28 of which have come from Brighton — he netted 29 for Man Utd.

Welbeck is the highest scoring player against Man Utd to have previously played for them in the Premier League, taking his tally up to five now.

Brighton had more chances too, with Welbeck hitting the crossbar with a header from a corner in the second half. Fortunately for Man Utd, they were level by that point thanks to Amad Diallo.

The equaliser came on the hour mark and there was a hint of good fortune with a deflection. But Diallo made his opportunity and was very much deserving of the goal, which was credited to him. A good pass from Mazraoui played Diallo through — just about being kept onside by Jan Paul van Hecke. Diallo cut inside well before his effort was deflected in by Van Hecke.

Man Utd thought they had taken the lead in the 71st minute when Alejandro Garnacho capped off a quick counter. But his shot hit teammate Zirkzee on the line as it went in, and the Dutchman was offside.

And in the end they left with nothing. The Brighton’s winner came deep in injury time through Joao Pedro and was well-worked. But once again there were questions to be asked of Man Utd’s defending.

Simon Adingra’s cross into the box following a corner was delicious and Pedro’s header well-placed as Brighton avoided the urge to immediately shoot. But Pedro was able to place his header so well because he was completely unmarked at the far post.

Man Utd eight players in their box, with Matthijs de Ligt trying to cover for a shot and Scott McTominay was marking Lewis Dunk. Casemiro and Joshua Zirkzee were ball-watching, while four players tried to close down Adingra as he crossed. And all eight players were in the left half of the box.

Brighton, meanwhile, had three players in the right half of the box, unmarked, including Pedro.

Since 2022/23, Man Utd have lost more Premier League games thanks to goals scored in the 90th+ minute than any other side (six).

“It think it was a grave lack of concentration that cost Manchester United,” Rio Ferdinand told TNT Sports.

“I thought Man Utd on the whole would have been pleased with a point, satisfied with a point. They played well enough, I think, for a point or to maybe have nicked it. But, when you haven’t got concentration for the full 90 minutes, there’s a moment that will pop up where you get punished.

“There was a huge space at the back post that you cannot allow that to happen at this level. You have to have leaders in there who are going to push people about. Somebody’s got to be shouting that there’s a big space at the back post and control that situation, and not allow that to happen.

“Unfortunately today they didn’t, and they got punished.”

Man Utd are now winless in their last 17 away Premier League games when trailing at half time, with 14 of those being defeats.