Man Utd fans spot Ten Hag make major tactical tweak as he brings forgotten star back into the fold vs Brighton

MANCHESTER UNITED fans noticed a tactical tweak made by Erik ten Hag during their 3-1 defeat to Brighton.

The Red Devils have made an underwhelming start to their Premier League campaign, losing to Tottenham and Arsenal in their opening four matches.

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As a result, Ten Hag moved things around on Saturday as he sought a change-up in the middle of the park.

It came in the form of a diamond midfield with Scott McTominay brought back into the fold.

The Scot, 26, had played just seven minutes in Man Utd's opening four league games.

But he made the XI alongside Casemiro, Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen against Brighton as Ten Hag switched to a 4-4-2 diamond.

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Casemiro sat at the base of the midfield, with McTominay on the right and Eriksen to the left.

Fernandes then occupied the No10 space behind a strike partnership of Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Hojlund.

Reacting to the formation, which came with new signing Sofyan Amrabat ruled out injured, one Man Utd supporter said: "Really intrigued by this use of formation. United significantly more compacted.

"Midfield seemingly more under control and still able to maximise attack threat, with the trio up front. It seems a productive move to address several positional weaknesses."

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Another added: "There’s actually a lot of potential in that midfield three if Eriksen and McTominay are given license to rotate getting forward between them.

"There’s a place for Scott in this team if we can find him a role like Scotland have."

While a third replied: "I missed Man Utd playing a diamond 4-4-2."

McTominay has shown himself to be capable of scoring goals for Scotland, netting six times in five Euro 2024 qualifiers.

But he netted just three times in 39 games for Man Utd last season.

And the change in formation made little difference to the team's fortunes as they were comprehensively beaten by Brighton.