Lucky Devils

Manchester United got their first Premier League win of the season under extremely fortunate circumstances. United haters would regularly tell us that we are lucky to win matches to belittle our wins but this time it is the truth. The three points gained are vital after all, we accept a win in any which way it comes. But it would do little to raise the spirits of the beleaguered fans.

Thank You Woodwork United fans are sensitive now when we hear the word "wood". We associate it to a person that is the head of inept transfer dealings. But we can be grateful that another wood, the woodwork came to our rescue. We would be talking of an embarrassing result now if not for it. Brighton & Hove Albion hit the woodwork an incredible 5 times in the game. Only one of the 5 times were they lucky, a header that looped off the ground and hit the bar. All the other opportunities they had, they were luckless to come so close to scoring but not quite scoring.

VAR & Penalties At the start of the second half, Brighton was awarded a penalty kick after Paul Pogba was judged to have fouled Aaron Connolly. Upon VAR review, that decision was reversed. I felt it was the right decision because Pogba didn't trip Connolly who was looking for a foul. But I have seen penalties given for "fouls" like these so we can count our lucky stars that it wasn't given. Deep in injury time with the last attack of the game, Harry Maguire's header from a corner was handled by Neal Maupay. The referee had blown the final whistle but asked to review the incident on the VAR and rightly awarded a penalty. Bruno Fernandes scored to get us out of jail. Brighton were left feeling aggrieved and frustrated. Most viewers would be amazed that a penalty was awarded after the final whistle was blown. I was as surprised as anyone that the referee was asked to review it after the final whistle. For further clarification on why it was given, you may read it here: https://www.goal.com/en/news/why-were-man-utd-allowed-a-penalty-kick-after-the-final/15wsh1mfy04fc17m0uq5dou8rk

United's Performance Brighton has every right to feel upset at the result. They had most of the possession, more attempts on goal, more corners, played better and had all those attempts that crashed off the woodwork. We showed good character to come from one goal down to take the lead. We then showed great belief to not let our heads drop after the late concession of Brighton's deserved equaliser to go forward for one last attack. We showed glimpses of what we were capable of in our attack. Our defending was more resolute and dogged as well but the team still looks rusty. The thought and feeling we get that our reserves are not good enough are still nagging away at us. I would have wanted to see Donny Van Der Beek start the game but he was reduced to a bit-part role instead. What's Next? We are playing Brighton again this time in the League Cup and it would be treated as another occasion for us to give minutes and match fitness for those that have played lesser so far. I feel we should let Pogba play in this match as well to help him get up to pace. After Brighton, we are playing in our first big match of the season against Tottenham Hotspur in the league. Tottenham is advanced in terms of their match fitness and has made some notable signings to strengthen the team. They have not been wholly convincing but already it looks like an extremely difficult game for us. It looks like a long, agonising season ahead of us with a likely casualty being the manager who wasn't sufficiently backed in the transfer window to grow the side. A final word on Maupay. He scored with a cheeky penalty to give Brighton the lead and proceeded to mimic crying in his celebration. Karma got back at him when he became the fall guy for the penalty we got late in the game.