Manchester United's recent defeat against Bournemouth once again exposed their fragility in defensive transitions. This season, the team has allowed the third-most transition chances and shots on goal in the Premier League, highlighting their defensive weaknesses. The problem was also evident in their pressing tactics, where opponents easily found space and rushed in as they made their way through United's initial pressing. That vulnerability will be a concern for United as they prepare for Liverpool, West Ham and Aston Villa, all three of whom have excelled at seizing transitional opportunities this season.
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag may struggle to address this weakness, which could end up being the cause of his defeat. On the other hand, Dejan Kulusevski's contribution to Tottenham's victory over Newcastle went unnoticed to some extent, despite his outstanding performances. The Swede's work ethic was unmatched, covering almost 13 kilometres in the race. Not only is he physically strong, but he's also smart on the move and can create scoring opportunities for his teammates.
Despite his lack of goals and assists, he worked selflessly for the good of the team. Brighton's manager Roberto De Zerbi has introduced an extensive rotation policy to cope with the extra workload in the Europa League. Despite the criticism, this approach has allowed Brighton to progress in the Europa League and maintain a decent position in the Premier League, earning the trust and admiration of supporters. Finally, Bournemouth's manager Anthony Iraola has impressed since taking charge, turning the team's fortunes around with five wins in his last seven matches. The team is level on points with Wolves and will continue their upward momentum in the upcoming matches.