'If you can’t win the game, take the point' - United boss Erik ten Hag laments late goal concession
NOT A HAPPY CAMPER: Manchester United Erik ten Hag and Noussair Mazraoui (right). Pic: : Gareth Fuller/PA Wire.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has promised an inquest into his team’s propensity to concede late goals after poor marking and a loss of concentration saw them lose 2-1 at Brighton thanks to a 95th minute header from Joao Pedro.
The Brighton forward was all alone in the penalty area when Simon Adingra was allowed to cross the ball deep into injury time at the Amex; and deny United what would have been a hard-earned point.
They also handed Brighton a 32nd minute opener when Harry Maguire failed to deal with a low ball into the box – and the unmarked Kaoru Mitoma was left to cross the ball back in for former United striker Danny Welbeck to slide in and score.
That was Welbeck’s 100th career goal and his sixth against United since leaving Old Trafford; but it didn’t prove to be the decisive moment.
Amad Diallo equalised with a strong finish at the end of a fluid move after 60 minutes before United had a goal from Alejandro Garnacho disallowed 10 minutes later when VAR spotted that fellow substitute Joshua Zirkzee had diverted the ball home on the line – from an offside position.
That situation was down to ‘misfortune’ rather than a mistake, according to Ten Hag. But he wasn’t as kind about the winner.
It arrived deep into injury time when Brighton head coach Fabian Hurzeler saw his decision to throw on three subs at 90 minutes reap dividends – leaving Ten Hag fuming.
“We didn’t stop the cross,” he groaned. "There were three players who could have sent him down the line but instead we let him cut in and cross.
“Of course, we have to talk about this as a team, how we act in that situation because there was more than one mistake in that occasion and it has a big impact on the score.
“I’m very disappointed to concede so late because also in the Community Shield we conceded just before full time. So, we should be more clinical in those situations.
“If you can’t win the game, take the point. I think we were close to winning this game but if you can’t win then definitely don’t lose.”
Given that United’s next match is home to deadly rivals Liverpool next Sunday, they will need to recover – and learn – quickly.
Ten Hag added: “We must remember we have also had success, for instance when we won the trophies and in other games when we took the points. But in some cases today we should have had better communication. We should have been better.
“There were still some very good parts of the game and I can take a lot of positives from the performance. But in both boxes we have to be more clinical and more aggressive.”
Brighton, of course, were in a totally different mood after the final whistle, as fans wildly celebrated another famous win that means 31-year-old Hurzeler has guided the Seagulls to two wins in his first two matches in charge, having already won 3-0 at Everton.
He brought on Adringa, Ayari and new signing Georginio Rutter in the 90th minute, having already called on Julio Enciso and Carlos Baleba minutes earlier; and those brave changes were the key to victory.
He said: “I think my team did deserve to win. We have to be honest and say we were lucky that we didn’t concede the second goal after the VAR decision. But it was a wake up moment for us.
“The way we played the last 10-15 minutes was amazing. We were pushing for the second goal and controlling the game. In the end I’m very happy that the players had that attitude of never giving up and always believing in each other - and I’m very happy that we gave our supporters the win today. It’s important that we enjoy it.”
Albion don't have long to party, however. They are home to Crawley in the EFL Cup on Tuesday and then heat to the Emirates to face Arsenal.
But they will do so in far better spirits that Manchester United.
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