Manchester United are quickly learning this season not to take anything for granted.
A defeat to Bournemouth was entirely in character with this team, which has won just three of the opening 11 matches.
It is not good enough, and a home fixture against Brighton next weekend will be a tough test.
A home match against Brighton should be the type of game United look forward to. A routine 3-0 win. Not this United team.
Just look at the Premier League table to see what we are up against.
Brighton are two points above us, and have scored more goals than us this season while conceding just three more. Breaking them down is not going to be easy.
Next up
After the Brighton game comes an international break and a visit to Sheffield United.
While the Blades won’t be able to play Dean Henderson, they represent a formidable opponent on current form, as seen by the way they beat Arsenal.
They have conceded three fewer goals than United and these kind of away trips have caught us out in recent seasons.
Just look at the Bournemouth loss, and recall recent away defeats against the likes of Wolves, Huddersfield, and Brighton.
Outlook
We try to be positive, but United are not giving us a great reason to be at present.
The three wins over Partizan, Norwich and Chelsea gave us reason for encouragement, and United’s season is on a knife edge.
Was the Bournemouth loss a one-off in our revival? Or a sign of worse to come?
It’s reactionary to be too negative after the loss to Bournemouth. But if we cannot follow that up with at least one win from the next two, then it will be time to panic.
Wins against Brighton and Sheffield United will put the Red Devils in and around the top six.
Losses, or a draw and a loss, would leave us in a very dark place.
More questions will be asked about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s future, and the ability of certain players.
The two upcoming games should be an opportunity for us. But we can take nothing for granted.
- Scott McTominay holds contract talks in the US while ex-Man Utd star competes in 2026 World Cup
- Harry Maguire says Man Utd have a youngster who is going to ‘shine’ at the World Cup
- Rafael Leao hits Ruben Amorim with another early blow at AC Milan, amid Man Utd interest
- Erik ten Hag made the call Portugal boss Roberto Martinez is too scared to make
- Rio Ferdinand makes U-turn on Marcus Rashford after noticing one big change, ‘You can see…’
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
