Brighton survived a late onslaught to secure a first win at Old Trafford and condemn Erik ten Hag to a losing start as Manchester United manager.

Pascal Gross' first-half double stunned the home supporters, who were desperate to see their team put a miserable end to last season behind them.

However, United were totally outplayed in that opening period by Graham Potter's team, who beat them 4-0 at the Amex Stadium in May on their way to a ninth-placed finish, their highest in the top flight.

Not even the second-half introduction of Cristiano Ronaldo could deny Brighton, although they did threaten a comeback when a scramble inside the visitors box ended with Alexis Mac Allister turning the ball into his own net after goalkeeper Robert Sanchez had touched it into his path under pressure from Harry Maguire.

In nine previous league visits, Brighton had managed only one draw, so this victory was historic.

For Ten Hag, it meant enduring a similar start as United manager as fellow Dutchman Louis van Gaal, who lost his first game by the same score, also at home, to Swansea in 2014.

New season, same problems for Man Utd

With the sun shining and a new manager in place, there was a sense of optimism around United before kick-off.

Ten Hag has started to impose his personality on the club, to the extent of ousting some of the 'prawn-sandwich brigade' from their corporate hospitality suites so his players could have their pre-match meal.

Yet so many of the old issues remained. Protests against the club's owners before kick-off meant the club shop had to be shut.

Co-chairman Avie Glazer was paying a rare visit and would have heard the songs to his left calling for his family to get out of the club.

On the pitch, there was no cohesion despite decent debuts from Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez.

Brighton, well drilled and fluid, took advantage. Leandro Trossard volleyed into the side-netting within 15 seconds of the start and United failed to impose themselves on the game until it was far too late.

For the opener, Welbeck's run split Maguire and Martinez. The latter came across from the left to cover the cross, leaving a huge hole in the six-yard box and, as United's defence scrambled to plug the gaps, Gross was on his own to tap home at the far post.

Gross was in a similar position but on the other post when Solly March cut inside and unleashed a low shot, which keeper David de Gea turned into his path.

The boos that accompanied the half-time whistle were predictable and deserved. Within eight minutes of the resumption, Ronaldo had been introduced to try and lead a rescue mission.

The 37-year-old had a negligible impact. It was another Portuguese, Diogo Dalot, who created the confusion that led to United's goal. But by the end it was Brighton who looked more likely to score again.

C. RONALDO right now.......

Just think of the amount of rage that is going to currently be spilling out on to social media from Manchester United fans.
Not the reboot they were hoping for.

Hats off to Brighton, though. They were superb..........bbf

OP only u get 1st and 2nd to comment. Nawaooo! Just like Man U, u no try at all!

Flush all defends and bring in new and zealous youth. Not these miscreants we have.

Ronaldo should seek asylum somewhere else before man u kills his remaining career.

This coach will end up like the rest if he can't sell Maguire, Shaw, mctominay

Erik Don hang

He’s already making history �

Ahmad62:
Erik Don hang

He’s already making history �

Grave history

Take a look at Ronaldo face

united vs Brighton with cr7 last season ended 4-0
united vs Brighton without cr7 today ended 2-1....
Brighton played united as if they are mates, I pity this united if city meets them with this lethargic form..
united needs to sign more players, now I understand why cr7 wants to run away from his hone coming..
the same problem of last season continues this season, its very funny seeing the players playing without zeal n hunger, united needs a very strict coach dt would work without the influence of the board members, I dnt see wat dt Maguire n even rashford are doing in dt team..

Jubal01:
OP only u get 1st and 2nd to comment. Nawaooo! Just like Man U, u no try at all!

lolz...think say na only me notice am, the op na Chelsea fans wey get enough joy as united lose, e no sabi say this vawulence na turn by turn n e go touch all teams bt united vawulence go plenty dis year o
omor, I jus de imagine haaland against dt Maguire n short martinez....haaland go score 5

skywalker240:
This coach will end up like the rest if he can't sell Maguire, Shaw, mctominay

sell Maguire?? na my mouth u wan take hear say e papa follow get shares for united? or u think say na only naija de gv job based on who u sabi or tru connection tinz?
a very shambolic defender but would still come out with captain band in their next game n start all key matches this season.
united still never serious, a pep or mou dt i know would send him to team B and ask the coach not to start him until he learns the act of defending from scratch..

post=115475736:
C. RONALDO right now.......

call ur mods to take d post to fp, I want d likes of Fergie, kingcalls, obeembet n other cr7 fan boys to see how thier goat started this season after messi scored 2 on Saturday

Up manU!!!

Old glory glory mary utd(x3) As the reds are marching down down down

Zomboid dey open sport thread

GGMU jare

Nothing does us

Cursed club

I swear the lose caused me a big pain

New Season, Same Old Manchester United

It was fun seeing Maguire doing what he knows how to do best

Same old shit, just a different day.

Erik don Hang.

It's a Good record make them keep it up...

Shit happens

Why can't they sell that penaldo and buy hungry player's that are ready to play?

They played Superb, Especially Maguire

Another interesting season ahead, don’t raise your hopes to avoid heartaches.

Nothing new here

Ten hag...u were warned by van Gaal to reject man utd...but u dint listen... for a great player like Ronaldo to wanna japa after just a season wud hv passed a message that Manchester United is living on past glory

Sweet one! Guess he can feel the pain too? Wait o! Manna don abandon our darling daddy issue run to sports now? Nawa o!

Yeah we all know that



Now move on already