Four points from four league games. Defeat to a newly-promoted side. Twice throwing a win away at a club on the brink of mutiny. A shambolic derby defeat to both 10 men and the horror that is VAR. And now a 15-year-old and his father are holding the club to ransom.
It’s safe to say Amazon are getting more than even they could have imagined with their latest documentary series. But for Manchester United fans it’s just another yearly doom spiral. So, it’s incredibly fitting their next game is against another side who beat them at least once every 12 months: Brighton and Hove Albion.
Shine fading fast
The shine from Michael Carrick’s brilliant interim spell is quickly fading and nothing but a win against the Seagulls in the Carabao Cup can be tolerated. The same can be said for Sunday’s trip to Fulham, particularly with a dreaded three-week international break ahead.
As narratives go, the fact that Brighton were Man Utd’s final opponent pre-Carrick is a pretty good one. It was also in the first playable round of a domestic cup — the FA Cup third round — and at Old Trafford. And Fabian Hurzeler’s side won. At least Danny Welbeck has departed and can’t haunt his boyhood club. Until they play Chelsea.
To add to the foreboding feeling, Hurzeler’s side come into the game off the back of a 5-0 mauling of Coventry City and are the Premier League’s current top scorers.
| Season | Brighton win at Old Trafford |
|---|---|
| 2022/23 | Man Utd 1-2 Brighton (Premier League) |
| 2023/24 | Man Utd 1-3 Brighton (Premier League) |
| 2024/25 | Man Utd 1-3 Brighton (Premier League) |
| 2025/26 | Man Utd 1-2 Brighton (FA Cup) |
Back to basics
But what can Man Utd do to arrest this slide and get two badly-needed wins? The basics in truth. And that goes for both the team and Carrick.
The Matheus Cunha false nine experiment has been an abject failure with both he and the players around him suffering as a result. The injury to Amad Diallo and Benjamin Sesko’s lack of sharpness having missed much of pre-season did somewhat force it but the time has come for change.
The Slovenian striker has to start both games. It will give Man Utd both a focal point in attack and Bruno Fernandes the space to operate without Cunha dropping deep. The Brazilian can either start on the left over Marcus Rashford or come off the bench, which was a suitable role in Carrick’s first few games.
Andrey Santos is due a start and Youri Tielemans a rest. Kobbie Mainoo is the current undisputed first choice midfielder and the right blend in the centre of the park has yet to be found. In truth, it won’t be until former Brighton man Carlos Baleba is fit and ready to play.
At the back, both Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven will be expecting starts and it may be time for Carrick to trust his young defenders with neither Harry Maguire or Lisandro Martinez impressing so far this campaign.
Martinez’s passing is elite but his off-ball work has become increasingly questionable, like his fitness, and Maguire looks every bit his 33 years right now. His inability to play high and seemingly move the ball quickly is a real problem.
Grimsby repeat unacceptable
Sunday’s shambolic loss to Man City came about by both Man Utd’s continued struggle to break down a low block and passive play across the board. The best football under Carrick – and in the club’s history – has come with a quick tempo. Control may be the long-term aim but right now, it’s slow and painful.
Of course, individuals do need to take responsibility. This is largely the same group that fell to one of the club’s worst-ever losses just over a year ago in the same competition.
The memories of Grimsby Town are still entrenched in the mind of the fanbase. A repeat exit at the first time of asking — and to Brighton — will only bring back thoughts of last season’s cup campaigns.
Lose and the wheels in motion are further set for a likely miserable campaign. Win, and again at Fulham on Sunday, and things could quickly pick up with the league table still bunched in most part.
The entire mood of the club and fanbase is on the line ahead of a three week break. Two wins is a reasonable ask. Man Utd rarely do things the easy way but for a rare moment in recent years, it would be nice if they did.