Man Utd Player Grades: Brighton Match

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Post on Jan 20, 2025

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Man Utd Player Grades: Brighton Match - A Disappointing Draw

Manchester United's clash against Brighton at Old Trafford ended in a frustrating 1-1 draw, leaving fans with mixed feelings. While there were moments of brilliance, inconsistencies plagued the Red Devils' performance. Let's delve into individual player grades, analyzing their contributions to the match.

Goalkeeper

Andre Onana (7/10): Onana had a relatively quiet game until Brighton's equalizer. While he couldn't prevent the goal, his overall performance was solid, showcasing his composure and distribution skills. His quick reflexes and commanding presence in the box were key assets. He certainly demonstrated why he's a valuable addition to the squad.

Defenders

Diogo Dalot (6/10): Dalot offered decent attacking support down the right flank, but defensively, he sometimes struggled against Brighton's swift wingers. He needs to be more consistent in his tackling and positioning to fully secure his place in the starting XI.

Lisandro Martinez (7.5/10): Martinez, as usual, was a rock at the heart of the defense. His aggressive tackling and unwavering commitment to winning back possession were crucial. He formed a solid partnership with Varane, effectively neutralizing much of Brighton's attacking threat.

Raphael Varane (7/10): Varane provided a calm and collected presence alongside Martinez. His experience and reading of the game shone through, making crucial interceptions and clearances. A reliable performance from a key defender.

Luke Shaw (6.5/10): Shaw delivered a solid, if unspectacular, performance. He offered support going forward but sometimes lacked the final ball. Defensively, he was mostly dependable, though could have been more proactive in pressing high up the pitch.

Midfielders

Casemiro (7/10): Casemiro dictated the tempo of the game in midfield, shielding the defense and winning back possession with his trademark tenacity. His presence is vital to United's stability and his passing range improved significantly.

Mason Mount (6/10): Mount displayed glimpses of his talent but lacked the consistency needed to truly impact the game. His movement was good, but his final product needs improvement; a work in progress in this new system.

Bruno Fernandes (6.5/10): Fernandes, while capable of match-winning moments, was somewhat subdued. He orchestrated attacks, but his usual creative spark was missing on occasions. He still needs to be more efficient with his final passes and shots on target.

Forwards

Antony (5.5/10): Antony showed some flashes of skill but lacked the end product. He needs to be more clinical in front of goal and improve his decision-making in the final third. More crosses and less dribbling in crowded areas might improve his game.

Marcus Rashford (7/10): Rashford scored United's goal, showcasing his pace and finishing ability. However, he could have been more involved in the build-up play and showed moments of frustration after missing some opportunities.

Alejandro Garnacho (6/10): Garnacho injected energy and pace into the game when he came on. His direct running caused problems for the Brighton defense and offered a different attacking dynamic. He's showing significant progress.

Substitutes

Scott McTominay (6/10): Brought some physicality to the midfield but couldn't significantly change the game's momentum.

Facundo Pellistri (N/A): Played too little time to receive a rating.

Overall

The draw against Brighton highlighted both the strengths and weaknesses of this Manchester United team. While individual players like Martinez, Onana, and Rashford delivered strong performances, inconsistencies throughout the squad need addressing. The midfield needs to be more creative and clinical, and the forwards must capitalize on chances. Manager Erik ten Hag faces the challenge of fine-tuning the team's tactics and encouraging more consistent individual performances if they hope to challenge for titles this season. The team showed flashes of brilliance, but ultimately, a lack of cutting edge prevented a victory. The road to success requires improved cohesion and efficiency across the entire squad.