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Ten Hag Under Fire After Humiliating Loss to Brighton

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  Published in Stocks and Investing on Saturday, January 31st 2026 at 14:19 GMT by The Mirror
      Locales: UNITED KINGDOM, ARGENTINA

Old Trafford, January 31st, 2026 - The pressure is mounting on Erik ten Hag after Manchester United suffered a humbling 3-1 defeat at home to Brighton & Hove Albion. The loss, punctuated by a late red card for Hannibal Mejbri, has ignited a firestorm of criticism, with club legends Gary Neville and Paul Scholes publicly questioning the Dutch manager's tactical approach.

The defeat isn't an isolated incident. This latest setback mirrors a troubling trend that began last season and continues to plague United - a distinct lack of control in midfield, a porous defensive structure, and an inability to consistently implement a clear game plan. The opening day loss to Tottenham last year served as an early warning, and it appears little has changed. Today's performance only solidified those fears.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Gary Neville minced no words. "There's no structure," he stated, observing the clear disparity in organization between the two sides. "Brighton looked like they knew exactly what they were doing, and United didn't. I've said it before, I can't see a plan. Ten Hag is a good coach, but he's not getting enough out of these players."

Paul Scholes echoed Neville's sentiment, adding, "They've got no control of the game, no control of the midfield. They just look all over the place and Brighton have made them look like that. Ten Hag has to find a way to find a new plan." The consistent theme throughout the post-match analysis highlighted a fundamental issue: United are being consistently outmaneuvered tactically.

Brighton, under their own progressive management, systematically dismantled United's midfield. Their slick passing, intelligent movement, and coordinated pressing left United's central players with no time on the ball, stifling any creative impetus. This isn't merely a question of individual player quality; it's a systemic failure to impose control on the game. Brighton's ability to dictate the tempo and win the midfield battle was the foundation of their victory.

The red card for Hannibal Mejbri, while undoubtedly impactful, felt like a consequence of the larger issues at play. A frustrated and overwhelmed United team, struggling to cope with Brighton's dominance, ultimately succumbed to ill-discipline. The sending-off simply exacerbated an already dire situation.

Beyond the Tactics: A Deeper Look at United's Struggles

The issues extend beyond in-game tactics. Since his appointment, Ten Hag has faced a challenging task rebuilding a Manchester United side that has been underperforming for years. While he has overseen some positive moments, including a League Cup victory, the team has consistently struggled against top opposition and lacks the consistency required to challenge for the Premier League title.

Questions are being asked about Ten Hag's ability to adapt his tactics to different opponents. Brighton's approach - a fluid, possession-based system - clearly exposed United's vulnerabilities. Opponents have begun to decipher United's patterns of play, rendering their attacks predictable and their defense susceptible.

Furthermore, the squad itself is under scrutiny. While United has invested heavily in new players, there are concerns that the team lacks the balance and depth required to compete at the highest level. The midfield, in particular, appears disjointed and lacks a true creative spark. The ongoing saga surrounding player form and team cohesion points to issues beyond simple tactical adjustments.

What Next for Ten Hag?

The coming weeks will be crucial for Ten Hag. He needs to identify the root causes of United's struggles and implement a clear and effective plan to address them. This may involve a radical overhaul of tactics, a reshuffle of the squad, or both. Some pundits are suggesting a return to a more pragmatic, counter-attacking approach, while others believe Ten Hag needs to double down on his possession-based philosophy and find a way to make it work.

The pressure from fans and the media is intensifying, and the club's hierarchy will undoubtedly be demanding a swift turnaround in fortunes. The upcoming fixtures will be a stern test of Ten Hag's leadership and tactical acumen. Failure to deliver positive results could lead to serious questions about his long-term future at Old Trafford. The shadow of potential replacements is already lengthening, with names like Julian Nagelsmann and Graham Potter being whispered as possible contenders should the situation deteriorate further. For now, the focus remains on damage control and a desperate search for solutions before United's season unravels completely.