Erik ten Hag’s reign as Manchester United manager didn’t get off to an ideal start, with the Red Devils losing 2-1 to Brighton & Hove Albion on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
It was Pascal Gross who netted twice for the Seagulls in the first half, while Alexis Mac Allister inadvertently prodded the ball into his own net after 68 minutes, as United staged an unsuccessful fight back.
Brighton nearly scored within seconds of the game starting, with Leandro Trossard hitting the side netting with an effort.
Meanwhile, United’s best opening of the first period came on seven minutes as Bruno Fernandes fired an effort over from inside the box.
The Seagulls started slowly but grew into the game and, after several half chances, netted the first goal of the game after half an hour, when Gross tapped in at the back post following Danny Welbeck’s excellent cross.
The German doubled the lead soon after, again placing a shot into the net from close range. On this occasion, Gross followed in after David de Gea palmed Solly March’s effort towards his far post.
The second period started with Marcus Rashford hitting the side netting, while Welbeck went close with a glancing header.
In the second half, United had decent strikes from Rashford and then a Christian Eriksen shot from distance, before getting one back via a corner.
Diogo Dalot got the initial touch on Fernandes’s cross, although it was ultimately knocked into the net from Brighton’s Mac Allister.
Cristiano Ronaldo had been introduced by then, and United had decent efforts from Dalot and Martinez, with the latter having a strike blocked in the box late on.
But Brighton kept the ball well in the latter stages and stopped United creating as many chances as they would have liked, with the Seagulls deservedly heading back with the three points.
Here’s how we rated the players...
1. David de Gea- 6
Could perhaps have dealt better with March’s shot in the build-up to Gross’s second goal, while his kicking was once again questionable.
2. Diogo Dalot- 5
Had a tough afternoon up against the tricky Trossard, and the full-back had a few awkwards moments defensively in the opening half.
3. Harry Maguire- 6
Got pulled out of place for Brighton’s opener, and the United skipper had a few ropey passes, but overall it was a solid enough display from Maguire.
4. Lisandro Martinez- 5
Didn’t have the debut he had imagened. The centre-back started well but looked less and less comfortable as the game went on.