Former Premier League star Jamie Redknapp has criticised two Manchester United defenders following the 3-2 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion in the Carabao Cup third round.
The Red Devils made a perfect start to the game with a 2-0 lead within the opening 10 minutes, and they looked good value to progress to the last 16 of the Cup competition.
However, Brighton did not give up and capitalised on defensive errors to secure an unlikely win.
The South Coast outfit cut the deficit before the interval. They made it 2-2 in the 65th minute before ultimately bagging the winning goal, five minutes later.
It was the first time in 50 years that United had surrendered a 2-0 half-time lead to lose at Old Trafford, and speaking after the game, Redknapp was unimpressed by Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven.
The young central defensive duo were all over the place with their positioning. Heaven should have done better for the opening goal, while the pair completely ignored Pascal Gross for the second.
Similarly, the third goal could likewise have been avoided. Redknapp highlighted that the central defensive pair were poor on the night and their inexperience showed on the pitch.
He told Sky Sports: “Man Utd never looked comfortable after going ahead. There only looked like one winner – Brighton were better in every department.
“Much more assured, defensively better and the inexperience of the two young centre-backs today [Yoro and Heaven] shows.
“I’ve got no doubt the two of them are on the phone to their agents asking why they’re not playing at the moment – that’s why with these kinds of performances.
“The pair of them were inept in everything they did. You compare them to Vuskovic for Brighton, his level of aggression, of winning challenges, of recovery runs.
“The two from Man Utd played like everything was easy, making bad decisions, putting your arm up and complaining when you don’t get the ball.
“There was a difference in Brighton’s defending, where they were serious about their business… those two tonight [for Man Utd] were poor and they have to be better than what they were.
“It almost looked like a lack of fitness as well at times. I want to see players running back with a bit of aggression to make that last-ditch tackle.”
Yoro and Heaven have a game to forget
Manager Michael Carrick made a big decision to field Yoro and Heaven in central defence yesterday. Harry Maguire was only on the bench, while Lisandro Martinez was left out of the squad.
The decision proved costly as United bowed out of the Carabao Cup in the third round for the second year running. They had a comfortable 2-0 lead but squandered the advantage in dismal fashion.
Yoro and Heaven struggled with their positioning several times, and Brighton capitalised on their weakness. The pair lost possession for a combined 23 occasions over the course of the game.
After such a woeful display, the young duo may not start another game for United for a while unless there is an unfortunate injury sustained by either Maguire or Martinez in the coming matches.