Sunday afternoon, dark afternoon.

Typical evening at Manchester.

What we couldn’t expect was such a poor performance from Manchester United.

From the team’s perspective, a few changes.

1 – Maguire comes on, Martinez is out.

Yoro on the left side of the back 3, with Maguire at the centre and De Ligt on the right.

2 – Dalot comes on the left, Garnacho is out.

Mazraoui floats to the right wing, Dalot stays on the left.

3 – Zirkzee comes in, Højlund is out.

The first change was probably an attempt to give Martinez a space to rest, at the same time as it gave Yoro the chance to get the right competitive rhythm and Maguire could use the fresh legs (wasn’t on starting XI on the last match).

Only issue here, visible on the first goal, was that the right side was slightly fragile with Mazraoui and De Ligt being slowly for Minteh, from Brighton.

The second change was somehow normal.

Dalot’s performances have been full of ups and downs, but he’s someone Ruben is trusting 100% for his continuous efforts and willingness to play in any position.

Garnacho attitude, on the other hand, has been different, at times.

In a situation as the one United and Ruben are facing now, if performances don’t cope with the expectations of the greatness of the Club, at least the attitude needs to do.

The third, and last, change was somehow expected.

Højlund’s performances have been capable to convince Ruben.

Specially on his incapacity to add value to the team with the ball.

On the other side, although Zirkzee is able to provide more solutions when the team has the ball, his incapacity to press with the same vigorous is really damaging to the team, as the first goal presented us.

About the Game, no words needed, it was just a poor performance.

From all.

As someone said during the Game, United, today, is “more hearth than quality or strategy”.

We can see a few improvements of the pressing, in general.

But that last for some minutes.

Until someone misses a pass and the other team immediately creates a chance to score.

Then we go back to rollercoaster again.

However, it’s unfair to point a single finger for the current situation.

Honestly, even for me, that I’m just providing an opinion based on what my perspective of what I can see on the field, it’s really hard.

It’s unfair to blame Onana or any other player.

It’s unfair to blame Ruben, definitely.

But the truth is that the depth of this hole has a different proportion than the expected.

We all knew that there would be an adaptation stage, some time required to have different results.

But many hopeless fans leave now the stadium before the game ends.

And although that can be normal in Portugal, is not a reality fans in England are used to.

For me, the biggest concern is that changes are needed now.

January should be a month to echo a message!

However, January is being a message of continuity.

Continuity of being below mediocre, average.

And United is nothing but unique.

A (sleepy) giant.

There’s 10 days to make it worth.

A strong message is needed.

Players out, to send the right message.

Add some players in, only if to add quality and clear depth to the squad.

New faces, new energy.

Someone willing to make a difference.

But with Ruben standards, the great United standards.

Not the same we have witnessed recently.

Let’s hope for better days, sunny days.

They’re not normal at Manchester, but winnings should be enough to bring the sun shining for United fans, again.