Manchester United lost to Brighton in the second game of the season, but it was very close.
On a wet afternoon at the Amex, Manchester United will be wondering how the scoreline finished, Brighton 2-1 United.
Amad Diallo’s second-half goal gave us some hope of coming from behind to win, but ultimately it was not to be as Joao Pedro scored a winner in added time.
Alejandro Garnacho found his goal chalked off by VAR due to Joshua Zirkzee’s touch coming from an offside position – although it was a very harsh decision which left United rewardless after a really encouraging bit of football.
The loss is disappointing, and Owen Hargreaves thinks he knows what cost Erik ten Hag the game.
How Bruno Fernandes reacted to Erik ten Hag subbing him off
On punditry for Premier League productions was Hargreaves, and after the defeat, he was discussing what cost United in the game.
“I think they [Man Utd] lost it on the subs.”
Following this, Hargreaves commented on how Bruno Fernandes reacted to being subbed off.
“Bruno Fernandes’ face was unbelievable, he was thinking ‘You’re taking me off?'”
Hargreaves then continued: “Then he took Harry Maguire off which affected the shape. The subs from Hurzeler were positive, even at a point when most people thought the game was over.”
This is not the first time Ten Hag’s use of substitutions has been questioned, with countless examples last season of taking off the wrong player or bringing the wrong one on.
Taking off Bruno is always a weird call though considering he is the main creative outlet and with Mason Mount already withdrawn due to injury, we can understand why the captain would be dismayed.
Owen Hargreaves is harsh on Manchester United boss
While the substitution decisions were not the best we have ever seen, they hardly cost United the game with VAR intervention once again impacting United.
If Garnacho scored his chance, we would all be praising Ten Hag for bringing him on – just like we did last week against Fulham with him and Zirkzee changing the game.
Football is a game of fine margins and on Saturday they went against United, unfortunately. There are plenty of things to take from this defeat, with defending balls coming in from wide positions the main one.
But it is one game week two and the signs remain positive.
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