Manchester United paid the price for two moments of dreadful defending to emphasise Erik ten Hag’s team are still a work in progress.
Joao Pedro took full advantage of somehow being left in space in the 95th minute to snatch the points. Former United striker Danny Welbeck had put United ahead in the first period before Amad’s goal on the hour looked to have earned United a point.
Welbeck’s 100th career goal and his sixth against United — he has only had more success against West Ham — came in the 32nd minute after a mistake from Harry Maguire.
United were toiling, with Ten Hag opting for a 4-2-4 with two false nines rather than a striker. But they came to life after the break once Joshua Zirkzee replaced Mason Mount.
United were rewarded with an equaliser on the hour when Amad cut in and his shot was deflected in. United then had a ‘goal’ ruled out for offside when Alejandro Garnacho’s shot hit Zirkzee on the way in.
But, as with the Welbeck goal, United switched off, with Joao Pedro in acres of space at the far post to score the winner in added time.
The Athletic’s Carl Anka analyses the talking points from The Amex.
Is 4-2-4 the way to go for Ten Hag?
United again continued with the 4-2-4 system that Ten Hag first deployed towards the end of 2023-24 and in the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City.
This meant no traditional centre-forward, with Bruno Fernandes and Mason Mount used as double false nines; it’s a system that has improved how United play when out of possession.
Instead of an uneven and often ineffectual front three looking to pressure the opposition, each player in the front four can match up with a defence. The addition of Mount — an exceptional defender in the final third who can set and recognise opposition pressing traps — means United can turn the ball over much easier in this formation.
The 4-2-4 takes the initiative away from opposition teams, either forcing them to pass wide to the full-backs (where United’s wingers can force the ball off the field for throw-ins) or funnels the ball into difficult passes into central midfield, where Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro are waiting to regain possession.
While it makes United a more robust defensive unit, there are still issues with how they attack. Neither Mount nor Fernandes are canny penalty-box operators, and Marcus Rashford appears low in confidence in front of goal, unable to go past defenders or get off shots as he did in his better seasons.
Mount started as a false nine (Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
A defensive error from Harry Maguire in the 32nd minute allowed Kaoru Mitoma’s cross to roll through and Welbeck to open the scoring and reverse much of the positive momentum United had built up.
Zirkzee was introduced for Mount at half-time, with the the Dutchman going on the left while Rashford was moved to centre-forward, but it took a while for United to get going in front of goal.
Every tactical system comes with risks and rewards, and the 4-2-4 is at its strongest when United score the game’s opening goal.
Amad continues to excite
Amad continues to stake his claim. The 22-year-old had a difficult first half against Brighton, missing some of the clever link-up play that made him so important to the 1-0 victory over Fulham last week.
The forward is at his best when connecting with like-minded players in the final third and thriving in the half-spaces. A first-half counter-attack fizzled out when his through ball to Rashford was delivered a fraction behind the Englishman instead of into space.
Yet Amad grew into things in the second half once Ten Hag recalibrated the attack with the arrival of Zirkzee. On the hour mark he would successfully run in behind the Brighton defence to latch onto a through ball from Noussair Mazraoui.
After beating one defender to cut inside his shot looked likely to bend into the far post before being deflected by Van Hecke into the net.
Amad celebrated his equaliser by repeatedly pointing the club badge and beating his chest. It had been a difficult week for the young Ivorian, who suffered a family bereavement.
Amad celebrates his equaliser (Gareth Fuller/PA Images via Getty Images)
He remains an impressive option for United’s problem position on the right wing, bolstering the team’s build up play options and helping build a more fluid attacking threat. He might not always start going forward, but he is likely to offer something exciting with every appearance.
Do United need more new faces?
Before kick-off Ten Hag was asked if United would look to make further signings before the transfer window closes.
“We will see,” was his non-committal response. “They have to be the right options.”
Casemiro won the majority of his tackles at the Amex, but defensive midfield remains a problem position for United. Manuel Ugarte has been strongly linked with a move to the club, and while he enjoys tackling and regaining possession, he lacks the progressive passing and aerial dominance of the Brazilian.
United’s front press and control of the game declined following the half-time substitution of Mount. The United manager will need to find a way to include the 25-year-old in the team while maintaining a persistent attacking threat.
Talk of late bids for an experienced striker — such as Ivan Toney — have quietened as the window nears its end. The return of Rasmus Hojlund from his hamstring injury may help things in front of goal.
Scott McTominay was introduced in the 79th minute as United went in search of a winner, but his United future remains in question, with interest from Napoli and other clubs. Jadon Sancho did not feature in the matchday squad but travelled to Brighton amid interest from Juventus.
Ten Hag – who has also stressed the importance of having two senior players for every position – has enough bodies for the challenges ahead. In theory. Injuries to Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have affected how the team performs at left-back, yet United are not thought to be looking for additional players in this position. Joao Pedro’s late winner owed a debt to United’s weakness when defending their left flank. As Shaw is not pencilled in to return until September, it is a problem that may get worse before things get better.
United remain a work in progress and it may take until the return of Premier League football after the international break for Ten Hag to play his best XI. Can he afford to wait until then?
What did Erik ten Hag say?
We will bring you this after he has spoken at the post-match press conference.
What next for Manchester United?
Sunday, September 1: Liverpool (H), Premier League, 4pm BST, 11am ET
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(Photo: Joao Pedro scores the winner. Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
