Manchester United reminded of £80m transfer regret as underlying problem costs them again
A midfield switch
Christian Eriksen started as a false nine in the first league meeting between these teams, was a deep-lying playmaker in the FA Cup semi-final, but was an unused subsitute last night.
It’s been brilliant to have him back, but it says a lot that Erik ten Hag wasn't going to play him just because he is fit, a mistake they have probably been guilty of in the past.
Eriksen had a poor game when the sides met at Wembley, so Fred was selected ahead of him in order to bring energy against one of the meanest midfields in the Premier League.
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The United manager said it was 'the perfect game' for Fred given their need to press the Brighton midfield, but his performance was far from flawless.
Brighton were brilliant throughout and expertly cut through a United midfield that lost it's grip on the game. The intensity of the match might have been too much for Eriksen so soon after his return, but it was a reminder of the need for a more fitting alternative to him.
Martial misfiring
It's tedious to once again state United's need for a striker this summer, but this was their latest glaring reminder that an improvement in attack is desperately needed.
Anthony Martial started on the bench for the previous two matches and was fortunate to get a promotion back to the starting line-up for their trip to Brighton.
The Frenchman has always had the promise of more to come, but the harsh reality is that he has stagnated for so long and has clearly lost the intensity that used to make him so dangerous.
He is at best a squad player for a team at United's level and simply can't be relied upon on a regular basis like a top striker of the quality Ten Hag wants to sign.
They should have