Erik ten Hag
New season, new manager, still same Man United
Erik ten Hag’s reign as Red Devils manager got off to a nightmare start as his side lost 2-1 to Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday.
Pascal Gross netted two first half goals on the Seagull’s way to a memorable victory, despite a late second half fightback from the home side.
It was memorable for just how poor United were, particularly in the first 45 minutes of the game.
The big talking point before the match was over Cristiano Ronaldo and Ten Hag decided he was not fit enough to start, with debutant Christian Eriksen surprisingly playing in a false nine role.
For all the talk about their star man, it was their problem midfield that continues to plague United and it led to Brighton’s opener half an hour into the match.
Scott McTominay lost possession inside the visitors’ half and Leandro Trossard played a through-ball to Welbeck, whose cut-back across the six-yard area was turned home by Gross at the far post.
McTominay’s performance in particular came under scrutiny in the match, with suggestions that he was lucky to even be on the pitch for a nasty challenge on Moises Caicedo.
United were torn apart again in the 39th minute when the ball was transferred with ease from a move down near Brighton’s corner flag.
Just four passes was all it took to move the ball into United’s penalty area from where Trossard crossed from the right for Gross to score at the far post.
Unsurprisingly, there was a fierce reaction at half-time with the United players booed off the pitch.
Ten Hag has a huge task on his hands to turn things around at the break.
“What are Manchester United doing, they are all over the place,” the former Sunderland man said.
“I haven’t seen any evidence of the Erik ten Hag revolution at Manchester United. They have been absolutely atrocious.”