A tactical change that demonstrated how Erik ten Hag led to Plan Z at Old Trafford during Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes’ team’s 3-1 loss to Brighton saw Fernandes play as a replacement center back. The Red Devils were easily defeated that day, showing that the Seagulls are better prepared than they are to compete for a top-four spot.
Since taking over as United manager, Ten Hag has not really felt the pressure, but the manner of his team’s defeat — their third of the year — will ensure that the Dutchman begins to feel the heat in the dugout. Boos rang around Old Trafford early in the second half as a result of the ex-Ajax manager’s tactical choice to substitute Anthony Martial for summer signing Rasmus Hojlund.
However, Ten Hag did not make the wackiest decision of the day with that like-for-like trade. He decided to bring on Facundo Pellistri, Alejandro Garnacho, and Aaron Wan-Bissaka in place of Lisandro Martinez, Sergio Reguilon, and Scott McTominay as United attempted to win the match.
United needed a center defender after the triple substitution, and Fernandes was quickly observed receiving instructions to play the position rather than trying to create opportunities in the final third. The Portugal international was compelled to join Victor Lindelof when he lost possession while also trying to advance and, as a result, leaving wide gaps behind.
Although Roberto De Zerbi’s backline never appeared in danger of allowing a further two goals to be conceded late on, the ‘roll of the dice’ suggested that Ten Hag was doing everything he could to break through the Brighton defense in the hopes of salvaging at least a point. Despite being the superior team in the game’s early going, United fell behind when Danny Welbeck scored the game’s first goal against the flow of play.
The former United great was on hand to direct his shot into the far corner after Simon Adingra’s cross after a quick counterattack down the right. Hojlund’s close-range tap-in gave the Red Devils hope that they had responded before the halftime break, but VAR quickly intervened to determine that the ball had really trickled out of play before Marcus Rashford’s cross.
Pascal Gross extended his impressive run against United with a ferocious shot into the bottom corner in the 53rd minute, giving Brighton the lead for good. His deft move allowed him to easily get past Lisandro Martinez. The Seagulls then secured the victory in the 71st minute when second-half substitute Joao Pedro curled his shot away from Andre Onana and into the goal.
Hannibal Mejbri’s shot gave United some optimism when it got past Jason Steele, but Ten Hag’s team was unable to capitalize on the momentum to produce any more chances.
