De Zerbi: 'I have no regret because I want to be loyal with my values'
LOYAL TO VALUES: De Zerbi’s departure was harmonious, although the manager confirmed he was leaving because he and Tony Bloom had failed to reach agreement on footballing matters while insisting he has not received offers from any other club.
A final day victory may have given Erik ten Hag and his players a welcome lift ahead of the FA Cup final but was not enough to prevent Manchester United recording their lowest league finish for 34 years ahead of next Saturday’s meeting with Manchester City.
Newcastle United’s victory at Brentford meant Ten Hag’s side finish eighth, their worst performance in the Premier League era, and must now beat City at Wembley if they are to avoid a season without European football for the first time in ten years.
On paper, the prospects of United overcoming their near neighbours are slim and this performance did nothing to suggest otherwise. The poor first half display at the Amex Stadium that should have seen Brighton in control of the game before half-time and on course to mark Roberto De Zerbi’s final game in charge with a win, following the announcement of the manager’s departure 48 hours earlier.
And it took a combination of the home side’s failings in front of goal and United’s improved efforts in the second half - particularly in following the introduction of Rasmus Hojlund in the 59th minute - to deliver a second win in four days.
Hojlund had a hand in Diogo Dalot’s 73rd minute opening goal and then added the second two minutes from the end of normal time. It was the Denmark forward’s 16th goal in an injury-affected first season at Old Trafford and strengthened his claims to start against City. Certainly United looked more effective going forward with Hojlund providing a focal point to his side’s attack than with Bruno Fernandes operating as a false nine before the break.
That is one of the dilemmas Ten Hag must confront before naming his starting line-up next week, but it will count for little if United appear as lethargic as they did during the opening 45 minutes. At least the manager was able to give minutes to Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane and Jonny Evans as he attempts to coax his principal options in central defence back to fitness.
“First half we were not 100 percent in control,” said Ten Hag. “Second half we made some changes and it was much better. Defending organisation, got more press on the ball, it was more effective. And also in possession we were better on the ball. And also we made movements in behind. Now we have selection problems which is good.”
Martinez certainly showed the value of having a recognised centre-back in the side when he produced a first half goallins clearance to deny Adam Webster’s header. Stand-in centre-back Casemiro produced an even better clearance to prevent Joao Pedro from putting Brighton ahead in the 50th minute and from that moment, United finally started to grow into the game.
A long ball from Casemiro was missed by Brighton defender Igor, under pressure from Hojlund, and ran through for Dalot to finish. Hojlund then capped the win with a good finish after exchanging passes with Christian Eriksen.
Defeat for Brighton marked a disappointing end to a season that brought the high of a first campaign in Europe and the frustration at being unable to match last season’s sixth placed finish. De Zerbi’s departure was unexpected, although there had been signs of tension between manager and club at times, particularly when the manager indicated owner Tony Bloom might have to change his strategy if the club were to become regulars on the European stage.
De Zerbi’s departure was harmonious, although the manager confirmed he was leaving because he and Bloom had failed to reach agreement on footballing matters while insisting he has not received offers from any other club.
“I thought it could be possible (to continue) again because I have no club behind me,” De Zerbi said. “We have a disagreement on footballing decisions. I have no regret because I want to be loyal with my values.
“It’s not right if I go into the details. The club, the methodology of the club, I knew the club works in a different way. Tony has amazing results with this methodology but I can’t forget Tony and Brighton for the rest of my life.
There is no club I have had an offer from. I leave two years of contract. Maybe I can stay at home two, three, four months, I don’t know. So for sure I have not club behind me. I hope to find the solution (new job) before the season. But at the moment there isn’t anything.”
: Steele 6; Moder 7, Webster 7, Igor 6, Barco 7 (Lamptey 81, 6); Baleba 6 (Gilmour 81, 6), Gross 7; Adringa 7 (Fati 81, 6), Lallana 7 (Enciso 56, 6), Pedro 8, Welbeck 6.
: Verbruggen, Buonanotte, Offiah, Peupion, Baker-Boaitey.
: Onana 6; Wan-Bissaka 6, Casemiro 6, Martinez 6 (Evans 59, 6), Dalot 8; Amrabet 5 (Varane 68, 6), Mainoo 6 (Eriksen 75, 6); McTominay 5; Diallo 5 (Rashford 75, 6) ,Fernandes 6 (Hojlund 59, 7), Garnacho 6.
: Bayindir, Varane, Antony, Kambwala, Collyer.
Craig Pawson 6
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