It is back to the drawing board for Erik ten Hag as his Manchester United side fell to a 2-1 Premier League defeat at Brighton.
The result will be met with much dissection as a disgruntled supporter base is left scratching their heads in defeat.
Both sides entered the fixture with a 100% record following victories last weekend, with a sense of cautious optimism building in the North West.
But Joao Pedro silenced a typically brilliant away end to seal the three points for a partisan Amex crowd in the fifth minute of injury time.
Frustration and a collection of costly errors
An unchanged XI took to the field for a 12:30 BST Saturday fixture on a wet English summer afternoon.
While chances were few, and neither goalkeeper was forced into a save during the opening half-hour – much like last weekend – the Reds were solid without being spectacular.
Amad Diallo should have opened the scoring after 13 minutes following a scintillating cross from Diogo Dalot. Much to the dismay of his teammates, he somehow directed his volley wide.
With Mason Mount again starting alongside Bruno Fernandes, a credible work-rate and high press were evident immediately.
Although, without a focal point in attack and the wide men struggling to make their mark on the game, it lacked a cutting edge in the final third.
United fell behind through a Danny Welbeck opener in the 32nd minute following a passage of calamitous defending.
It came against the run of play, with Ten Hag’s side quite comfortable in possession and meticulous in their approach.
However, a familiar focus on questionable defending immediately surfaced, with Harry Maguire perhaps slow in his reactions to the evident danger.
The 20-time English champions thought they had restored parity moments later through a Marcus Rashford header, but he was in an offside position when guiding the ball home.
A regular topic throughout the half was the home side’s insistence on relying on their prominent offside trap. It was a powerful weapon against Everton and once more affected their opposition.
Despite the scoreline at the break, there was plenty of promise for the Reds and enough time to increase their attacking impetus with the required focus.
However, with one win in 24 away outings when trailing at the break, the Manchester outfit had their work cut out for them.
In a similar move to last weekend, Mount made way for Zirkzee, with the Reds aiming to deliver aggression in the final third.
However, they had the woodwork to thank shortly afterwards when the impressive Welbeck guided a header inches too high.
The game began to open up, with both sides intent on attacking at will – although at times messy, there were moments of class within.
United levelled after an hour following a fine through ball from Noussair Mazraoui towards Diallo, who cut inside and finished a sublime individual effort courtesy of a Jan Paul Van Hecke deflection.
Ten Hag’s men continued to press and thought they had gone in front following a fine counter-attacking move.
With the Seagulls pressing for a goal of their own, the Reds broke with speed through Amad and Bruno – with the Portuguese crossing for Alejandro Garnacho to slot into an open net.
Somehow, the Argentine’s effort sailed onto Zirkzee’s knee before crossing the line, with the Netherlands International in an offside position. It would be difficult to repeat the sequence if the players attempted it again.
The fixture continued similarly – with a first Premier League draw a possibility for the sides – until Pedro headed home from an unmarked back post to seal the points and shatter Old Trafford hearts in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
The defending for both goals was unacceptable, and the coaching staff will undoubtedly bemoan the decision-making at either end of the field.
Despite the defeat, there are signs of improvement in the team’s structure, and while the players are squandering opportunities, there is ample suggestion of the prospect of free-flowing chance creation.
The attacking intent is there, although diluted through the absence of Rasmus Hojlund and the apparent lack of confidence in Rashford – while Zirkzee is acclimatising to his surroundings.
Focus now shifts to the visit of Liverpool on Sunday, September 1, with an opportunity to immediately atone for today’s disappointment.
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