“He Might Be Laughing at Ten Hag’s Decision”

Commenting on the Wrighty’s House podcast, former player Ian Wright expressed dissatisfaction with Erik ten Hag’s management during Manchester United’s loss to Brighton & Hove Albion.

Last weekend, Man United unexpectedly lost 1-2 to the lower-ranked Brighton in their second Premier League match of the 2024/25 season. A goal from young talent Amad Diallo in the 60th minute wasn’t enough to earn the Red Devils points at The Amex, as Danny Welbeck and Joao Pedro shone for the home side.

In this match, Ten Hag used all five of his substitutions in an attempt to salvage the game for Man United, but his tactics failed, and the 54-year-old manager faced significant criticism after the match.

Previously, former player Rio Ferdinand had complained about Ten Hag substituting Harry Maguire for Matthijs de Ligt, which led to the late goal conceded by Old Trafford.

Recently, Arsenal legend Wright voiced his displeasure with Ten Hag’s decision to replace captain Bruno Fernandes with Scott McTominay in the 79th minute.

“There were many issues in this game that I can’t understand or don’t know the reason for. For example, I don’t understand Ten Hag’s reasoning for taking Fernandes off. Why did he do that? When Fernandes left the pitch, I saw him laughing at Ten Hag’s decision, as if to say, ‘What the hell is this? Unbelievable?’ I guess that’s what he thought. If Man United wants to win, they need to keep a player of Fernandes’ quality,” Wright said on the Wrighty’s House podcast.

Man United currently has 3 points after 2 matches in the Premier League 2024/25, placing them 11th in the standings. This weekend, the Red Devils will return to Old Trafford to face their biggest English rivals, Liverpool, in the third round.