Jamie Redknapp believes Manchester United lacked Christian Eriksen’s “calmness” in their 1-0 defeat to Brighton.
Erik ten Hag decided against playing the Dane at the Amex, with him watching on from the sidelines for the entire 90 minutes. Instead, Fred was preferred to partner Casemiro in midfield but was outbattled by Billy Gilmour and Alexis Mac Allister.
The latter scored a 99th-minute penalty to sink the Red Devils and raise more questions about their form on the road. Man United face another tricky test away from home against West Ham this weekend.
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It is possible Eriksen - deployed in a deeper role by Ten Hag since joining the club - could return to action should a post-Brighton shake-up take place. After the midweek defeat, former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Redknapp highlighted the 31-year-old as the missing ingredient for United.
“Manchester United didn’t do enough today,’ Redknapp told Sky Sports. “They’ve not done enough in so many away games against good sides.
“When you look at Brighton you can see patterns of play, you see movement and understanding. Away from home, Manchester United are struggling with that. That’s something Erik ten Hag certainly needs to work on. At home, they’ve had some good performances. Away from home, they’re struggling a bit.
“Christian Eriksen was a big miss today. When he doesn’t play, they miss that calmness and quality. Fred wasn’t as comfortable on the ball in those tight areas and that’s something they really missed without Eriksen.
“They just weren’t good enough today. Brighton were the better team and fully deserved the three points.”
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