Ten Hag laments ‘very soft’ Brighton goals as rotten Man Utd away record continues

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·24 August 2024

Ten Hag laments ‘very soft’ Brighton goals as rotten Man Utd away record continues

Erik ten Hag admitted his Manchester United side lacked control after giving up “very soft goals” in their 2-1 defeat to Brighton on Saturday.

Danny Welbeck came back to haunt his former club when he scored from close range in the first half, netting the 100th goal of his career in the process.

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Amad Diallo cancelled it out on the hour mark with a spectacular yet fortuitous solo goal, his shot taking a heavy deflection on the way in.

The Red Devils, however, came away with nothing after Joao Pedro was left unmarked at the far post to head home the winning goal deep into stoppage time.

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Man Utd have now lost five of their last six Premier League meetings with the Seagulls, but it also means they have lost 17 top-flight matches on the road under Ten Hag – one fewer than the number they have won.

“Both goals are very soft goals, we should have done better,” the Dutchman opined in his post-match press conference (via Chris Wheeler).

“I have seem some good parts in the game and other parts … early in the second half we should have more control of the game. In both boxes we should be more clinical and aggressive.”

Ten Hag was less than pleased with his side’s defending for the winning goal. “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.”

Man Utd were unfortunate not to take the lead in the second half, but substitute Alejandro Garnacho’s finish was ruled offside after Joshua Zirkzee inadvertently touched the ball on the line.

“We can bring this goal back and explain it in detail and what should happen, but most importantly we have an overload and we played it very good. Then it’s about the final pass, being in the right positions,” Ten Hag said.

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