Man Utd secured their second straight win to end off what has been a truly atrocious season. The Red Devils managed to get one over Brighton who were looking to do a double over United for a second season running and win five games in a row against ten Hag’s team.
But the Dutchman’s side kept it together to get what in the end, was a pretty professional win.
The first period was dominated by the home side with United having to escape by the skin of their teeth on a couple of occasions.
Clearances off the line by returning center-back Lisandro Martinez and stand-in center-back Casemiro ensured that the score remained 0–0. An important save by Andre Onana and a poor miss by Joao Pedro also helped in keeping the score deadlocked.
The second half proved to be a lot better for United as they got on the ball more and started to create a few openings especially after substitutions were made.
The only real opportunity the side had all game until these changes was from false 9 Scott McTominay who probably should’ve scored from that chance.
On the hour mark was when we started to see Erik ten Hag shuffle the pack.
Butcher Martinez came off due to being absent for a long period through injury and so did skipper Bruno Fernandes although many believe this change happened because he was on a booking with there being no need to risk a second yellow and a suspension for the final.
The two who came on were Jonny Evans and Rasmus Hojlund. The young Dane had to deal with a second game on the bench.
United started to control the game a bit more thereafter as one could see that Brighton were fading somewhat in manager Roberto De Zerbi’s last game.
The away side took advantage of this as the most unlikeliest of scorers gave us the lead.
As has been a bit of a trademark of his this season, Diogo Dalot got on the end of a great ball over the top by Casemiro (who moved up into CDM after Raphael Varane came on for Sofyan Amrabat). The right-back turned left-back turned inverted full-back turned forward, brought the ball down with relative ease and placed it in the back of the net with a simple side-foot finish.
That was the defender’s third goal of the season to go along with five assists. Dalot has been mine (and many others') player of the season.
Once more, like in the previous game, Rasmus Hojlund had a major impact off the bench as he managed to score again. The goal was similarly taken to his strike against Newcastle. He gets the ball, dribbles and drives into the box before firing a right-footed shot into the net.
A very well taken goal that showed more of his capabilities.
After that goal, Diogo Dalot gave Hojlund some advice indicating a bit of leadership material from the defender.
Dalot to Hojlund:
“I told him straight after the goal, that’s the mentality we want to see. Whether you’re a starter or on the bench, you have to be ready. For 5, 10 or 20 minutes, you have to give it your all. That’s what he’s done in the last two games.”
Strong mentality from the Portuguese. We need more players like that.
Those 2 goals proved enough and United signed off with a professinal-ish result in the end.
Erik ten Hag was definitely happy with that performance and result. To finish the campaign with two good wins against two good teams would’ve been exactly what he wanted heading into the final.
We also saw the false 9 approach being deployed by the Dutchman as he did against Newcastle. It worked (to an extent) in both games and so did Hojlund coming off the bench.
Is this something to consider for the final? ten Hag was asked about this post-match in which he said that it is but so is starting Hojlund. The manager said that both formations (4–2–3–1 and the false 9) are options and pointed out to the game at the Emptihad where this false 9 tactic was used. He felt that United were a threat going forward that day.
On Rasmus Hojlund, he said that while he is a consideration to start, he also added that a strong bench is needed for a tough game.
I think he could use a false 9 on Saturday again when looking at these comments.
What do you think he will do for the FA Cup final?
Ratings:
Onana — 6
AWB — 5
Casemiro — 7 MOTM
Martinez — 6
Dalot — 7
Mainoo — 6
Amrabat — 5
Amad — 6
Bruno — 6
Garnacho — 5
McTominay — 5
Evans — 6
Hojlund — 7
Varane — 6
Eriksen — 6
Erik ten Hag — 7
Final Thoughts
A positive way to end the season and give us a boost going to Wembley. Two good wins in a row, players finding form and the returns of some important others, it is looking a lot better for United.
It could be too little, too late but better late than never, and we know a thing or two about doing things late.
An awful campaign in which we didn’t achieve our lowest-ever points tally as this win put us on 60 points but we did finish in our lowest-ever position of 8th.
23/24 is forgetful for many reasons but hopefully Saturday can give us one memorable moment for what is one of the worst campaigns I’ve ever seen from United.
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