Manchester United staff says some players know they’re not good enough after Brighton defeat
Manchester United staff says some players know they’re not good enough after Brighton defeat in their Premier League opener on Sunday.
According to staff personnel of Manchester United, some players at the team secretly feel unqualified to play at Old Trafford.
Brighton won 2-1 in their Premier League debut on Sunday, giving Erik ten Hag’s administration a disastrous start.
And even though it’s still early, it indicates that more turmoil is brewing.
Ten Hag, 52, was chosen by Manchester United as their new manager earlier this summer to take Ralf Rangnick’s post.
However, on Sunday, Brighton defeated the hosts 2-1 on the strength of a brace from Pascal Gross. Diogo Dalot scored to equalize for the hosts.
United struggled during the match at Old Trafford, and now The Athletic has revealed that staff members believe some team members are insecure.
Some players allegedly feel that they are “not up to the standard required for a club of United’s aspirations” in their hearts.
However, despite the fact that a majority of the team appeared significantly improved over the preseason, United had numerous poor performers on Sunday.
For Gross’ second goal, David De Gea ought to have performed better, and the Spain international’s distribution also needs improvement.
At fullback, both Dalot and Luke Shaw performed poorly, and at center back, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez lacked chemistry.
In midfield, Fred and Scott McTominay were both dreadful – with the scrutiny on the pair set to increase as the season goes on.
And the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, and Marcus Rashford were all flat in attack – with the trio unable to make their mark on proceedings.
United will now be hoping to bounce back when they lock horns with Brentford at the Community Stadium on Saturday (5.30 pm).
But they’re already a club in crisis, just one match into the new Premier League campaign.
United could add to their squad by the time the summer transfer window slams shut on September 1, with three new signings eyed.
They’d like to recruit a right-back to provide competition for Dalot, at a time where both Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams have been deemed surplus to requirements.
Ten Hag, meanwhile, insisted United’s performance in the first half against Brighton contributed to their defeat.
Manchester United manager on Brighton defeat
“I knew it could happen but I think we should have done better – that is clear,” said the 52-year-old.
“But I know also it [improvement] will not come overnight.
“At times we played better in pre-season. Today we had a really bad period in the first half and we have to learn from that.”
And, when quizzed on whether United players’ confidence was low after last season’s shambles, he added: “I think so. That is also normal.
“I didn’t expect that we are already a team that has had a lot of time together.
“And I think that was the difference with our opponent: they have been a long time together with a certain plan and coach and we have not.
“But still it was unnecessary to lose this game.”
United’s defeat against Brighton was their first opening day loss since 2014 when they lost 2-1 to Swansea under Louis van Gaal.
Also read,
Ronaldo sends a message to ten Hag ahead of the League opener against Brighton
Ronaldo’s relationship with Ten Hang “hit rock bottom” after public critique, Report
Ten Hag publicly criticizes Ronaldo for a walk-out
Ronaldo set for a humiliating stint on bench with Ten Hag said to be angered by his actions
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