A disappointing away day – full review of United’s first away game of the season

The reds lost their first away game of the season at Brighton on Saturday. But was it unlucky or just a bad performance?

(Copyright: Image taken of Pixabay)

It was a tough journey back up from the South coast for the travelling reds on Saturday as United lost their first away game of the season against Brighton. Watching the game from home is always completely different from watching it in person. However, the impression I got from my armchair was a poor one.

Before the game, I talked about Brighton being a game that I sometimes worry about (for no apparent reason), and turns out I was right. We just didn’t deliver. Erik announced an unchanged lineup from the opening game against Fulham. Much like we seen in that game, there was no impact made until Zirkzee and other substitutes came on. The whole of the first half we didn’t seem like we had any intentions on scoring.

United struggle without a clear forward and someone with a presence up top. Similarly to the Fulham game, when we did go forward, we lacked that attacking threat of a distinct number 9 that wants to get into the box and get onto the end of crosses. For me, the Mount and Bruno combination does not work. However, if there is ever a time in the season to test this, it is probably now. Erik has tested it (in the first 2 games), and it clearly hasn’t worked. Therefore, he definitely needs to change this and not go back to it, especially if we have a striker available in Zirkzee.

However, it isn’t all negative. We did get very unlucky with the disallowed goals, especially the second one where the ball just came off Zirkzee’s knee from Garnacho’s shot. This move was very well worked, and it was gutting to see it ruled out. I think Garnacho needs that goal to give him a boost for the season, very similar to Rashford. They just need one to bounce in and then they’ll be on a roll and back to the form we all know they can be in.

Another impressive performance from youngster Amad Diallo who got his first, of what looks like many, Premier League goals this season. Amad is very direct in his approach play and reminds me of a young Marcus Rashford. I hope he can shine this year and looks already like he has cemented his place in the starting XI.

Nevertheless, we now need to pick our heads up and tuck in our bottom lips because we have one of the most important games of the season next Sunday. Liverpool at home. This game looks like one that could define United’s season, especially if we perform well and get the win. We were undefeated against them last year, and hopefully we can do the same this year.

As always, don’t forget to contact us with your opinions of the game with the possibility of featuring in next week’s blog.

My MOTM: Diallo

Biggest impact: Garnacho

Worst performance: All of them