Alarming stat shows Manchester United weakness under Erik ten Hag

Dale O'Donnell

Manchester United's Dutch manager Erik ten Hag reacts ahead of the English Premier League football match between Brighton and Hove Albion and Manchester United at the American Express Community Stadium in Brighton, southern England on August 24, 2024. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

Manchester United’s long-term strength has become a weakness under Erik ten Hag and there was more evidence of that as they threw away a point against Bright on Saturday.

Under Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United were renowned for scoring late goals. Stoppage-time became commonly referred to as ‘Fergie time’ due to how his sides had the ability to snatch results at the very end.

United fans could take advantage of this when using Irish betting sites for the best odds on the market. They have you covered whether it’s first goalscorer or United to win the league outright.

Brighton’s Joao Pedro was in the right place at the right time on Saturday – stood inside the box with acres of space to be picked out by a dangerous cross. None of United’s players decided to mark the scorer as he nodded home a 95th-minute winner at the AMEX Stadium to hand Brighton three points.

It has brought an alarming stat to our attention.

According to OptaJoe, United have lost more Premier League games thanks to goals scored in the 90th minute (+ stoppage time) than any other side (6). Asleep at the wheel?

Pedro’s goal marked the sixth game United have lost in stoppage time under Ten Hag – more than any other side in that time. It makes some difference from when United lost just two in the first 30 years of the Premier League. The momentum at the Amex had swung in the final 15 minutes but Ten Hag failed to recognise it.

Already this season, United conceded an 89th-minute equaliser to Man City in the Community Shield.

We are not suggesting anyone to press the panic button. United suffered their first defeat at he weekend and the best we can hope for is a response against Liverpool next Sunday. Arne Slot’s side will aim to kick us while we’re down but Ten Hag can call upon his star players to make a difference like they’ve done in the past.

Ten Hag: We should take a point

When asked about conceding late goals, Ten Hag told reporters: “That’s very disappointing because also in the Community Shield we concede just before time so we should be more clinical in such situations, read the game, take the point.

“If you can’t win anymore, and I think we were close to winning this game, then definitely don’t lose the game.

“We should keep more control in the game but I think there were very good parts. I’ve seen a lot of positives from the performance but we have to build up in both boxes. We have to be more clinical there, we have to be more aggressive.”