New supervisor, usual issues for Manchester United.
United slumped to a 2-1 loss towards Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday in Erik ten Hag’s first Premier League sport in cost, dispelling any notion that the Dutch coach may present an instantaneous repair to the numerous points that plagued the group final season.
United appeared susceptible in protection — with Pascal Gross scoring twice within the first half to place Brighton in management — and toothless in assault till Cristiano Ronaldo got here on early within the second half.
And the questions on Ronaldo’s future on the membership stay.
Ten Hag determined to depart Ronaldo out of his beginning lineup after the Portugal star solely performed 45 minutes in preseason amid reviews he needs to depart for a Champions League membership.
But it’s clear why Ten Hag needs to maintain the 37-year-old ahead as United appeared way more harmful with him on the sector, though the hosts wanted a goalkeeping error to tug a objective again.
Robert Sanchez didn’t punch away a nook after which obtained in the way in which of Alexis Mac Allister, who tried to clear the ball solely to ship it into his personal internet within the 68th.
United continued to push ahead however by no means got here near an equalizer as Brighton held on for a primary win at Old Trafford within the membership’s historical past.
“It was obviously disappointing and the worst possible start at halftime to be 2-0 down at Old Trafford,” United defender Harry Maguire stated. “Not good enough. We huffed and puffed and we got one back and we had chances to equalize, but it’s a bad start for us.”
🗣 “We’ve got to make sure we hard day in, day out at training.”
Harry Maguire on the duty forward for Manchester United after this set-back pic.twitter.com/wxjsGlVrq6
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 7, 2022
While United improved within the second half, the primary 45 minutes confirmed simply how massive a process Ten Hag is going through to show round a membership that completed sixth within the Premier League final season.
While the hosts dominated possession, the one good probability they created got here within the sixth minute when a cross was deflected into the trail of Bruno Fernandes, who despatched his shot properly excessive of the bar.
🗣 “The reaction in the second half we are acting as one team.”
Erik ten Hag says he has seen clear that Manchester United have been extra collectively within the second half pic.twitter.com/yWdGQXnnvy
— Football Daily (@footballdaily) August 7, 2022
Brighton took the lead within the thirtieth when Danny Welbeck made a run into the world to gather a go from Leandro Trossard close to the byline after which squared the ball throughout objective for Gross to faucet into an empty internet.
The second objective got here after a fast counterattack, with Gross available to faucet within the rebound after Solly March reduce inside and noticed his shot parried by David de Gea.
“I thought we had an idea of how to attack and when we could we tried to press and put them under pressure,” Brighton supervisor Graham Potter stated. “We were positive, brave and the boys gave everything. Our performance in the first half was really strong.”
Ronaldo immediately gave United a jolt when he got here on within the 52nd and arrange Marcus Rashford for a one-on-one towards Sanchez within the sixtieth however the goalkeeper blocked the ahead’s shot. The offside flag was up towards Ronaldo, however replays hinted he had stayed onside.
That was the closest Ronaldo got here to creating an influence, although, because the Ten Hag period obtained off to a dropping begin.
United’s gamers have been booed off at halftime and on the closing whistle, with Ten Hag wanting grim-faced as he walked off the sector.
