Erik ten Hag's Manchester United debut starts with embarrassing, uninspiring loss to Brighton
CBSN
The Red Devils went down two goals in the first half and never looked like much of a threat
The Erik ten Hag era has gotten off to a rocky start at Manchester United after a 2-1 loss to Brighton at Old Trafford. Booed off the pitch after trailing 2-0 at the half due to a brace from Pascal Gross, Manchester United would get a goal back via an Alexis Mac Allister own goal, but it never felt like the Red Devils were threatening. While Brighton are a tough squad to open the season against due to how Graham Potter prepares his side and their discipline, it's important to note that the Seagulls finished closer to Manchester United than Manchester United did to a Champions League place last season.
Only seven points separated the sides and despite losing Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella during the summer, Potter would like to close that gap this season. An opening day win at Old Trafford certainly helps with that goal. Brighton were the better side from the first kick of the ball and could've easily scored more goals. Almost at the first kick, Leandro Trossard picked off Diogo Dalot but drove his shot just wide of David de Gea's net. That would foreshadow how the match would go as Brighton's press was something that ten Hag would be envious of as he wants a similar setup at United.
Despite posting on social media that he was ready for the match, Cristiano Ronaldo began the day on the bench as ten Hag only opted to start Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez out of the new summer additions. Eriksen was handed an interesting role as the center forward being flanked by Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho, but where things began to break down was in a familiar place between the midfield pairing of Scott McTominay and Fred. Not pressing Adam Lallana on Brighton's opener allowed Danny Welbeck far too much space to play a searching ball across the face of net that found Gross: