BRIGHTON scored their first EVER win at Old Trafford to ruin the start to Manchester United’s season.
Cristiano Ronaldo came off the bench to try and save Erik ten Hag’s side from an embarrassing defeat at home, but he could not do the job.
Pascal Gross’ double stunned the Theatre of Dreams as familiar frailties continued from last season for United.
Danny Welbeck’s perfectly-timed run beat the offside trap and the former United striker squared across the box for Gross to ghost in at the far post for a tap-in.
Then a well-worked second goal saw David de Gea spill the ball straight into Gross’ path for an easy chance.
PLAY DREAM TEAM NOW FOR FREE WITH £100k IN PRIZE MONEY
Stay up to date with all the latest from Old Trafford…
Scholes fries ‘criminal’ McFred
Paul Scholes labelled the performance of Scott McTominay and Fred ‘criminal’ as he stepped up the criticism of United’s midfield duo.
Fellow Red Devils’ legend Roy Keane has already blasted the pairing as not good enough following this afternoon’s 2-1 home defeat against a simply-better Brighton side.
And Scholes said: “Fred constantly giving the ball away.
“McTominay running with the ball in attack when he’s got Sancho, Rashford ahead of him.
“Should pass the ball to Eriksen. It’s criminal.”
Potter hails ‘deserved win’
Boss Graham Potter hailed Brighton’s ‘great performance and deserved win’ at Old Trafford.
Pascal Gross’ first-half double sunk United, with Alexis Mac Allister’s own goal on 68 minutes the only reply.
Potter told Sky Sports: “I thought we had an idea of how to attack and when we could we tried to press and put them under pressure.
We were positive, brave and the boys gave everything. Our performance in the first half was really strong.
“They are going to put you under pressure (but) we had chances to attack better and make it three but we were able to stick in there at the end. It’s a nice start for us.”
“We have got a good group, they are ambitious they are not perfect but they give everything.”
Maguire admits it’s ‘worst possible start’
Skipper Harry Maguire singled out a ‘nightmare first half’ as he labelled United’s 2-1 home loss to Brighton as ‘the worst possible start’.
The England centre-back told Sky Sports: “We started well and on the front foot and had control of the game.
“Then we conceded the first goal and that knocked us badly. We stopped playing from then. We need to look at not letting that first goal set us back as much as it did.
“But we have to be better on the ball, we gave them encouragement to come forward and attack us. It was a nightmare start to be 2-0 down at half-time.
“It was the worst possible start to be 2-0 down at half-time at Old Trafford. Not good enough. We got a goal back but we huffed and puffed a bit and it’s a bad start for us.”
“We started pretty the game well and on the front foot and as a team we had control of the game. Then we conceded the first goal.”
Keane blasts Fred & McTominay
Old Trafford legend Roy Keane went straight to the heart of United’s problem after Brighton’s well-deserved 2-1 away win.
The ex-midfield hardman singled out the two main central players new boss Erik ten Hag has inherited.
Keano told Sky Sports: “Fred and McTominay are not good enough.
“They won’t get Man Utd back competing at the top.
“We see it week in, week out.”
Red Devils need a fully-fit Ronaldo
VERDICT: Cristiano Ronaldo declared himself ‘Ready’ on the eve of the season opener in a clear message to his new boss, writes MARTIN BLACKBURN.
But the question is – are Manchester United ready for life without their wantaway Portuguese superstar? And the over-riding feeling during the 52 minutes he spent on the bench while his team-mates toiled was ‘No’.
his introduction from the bench early in the second half gave the out-of-sorts Red Devils a fresh impetus. He wasn’t at his best – and after less than two weeks of training perhaps that is no surprise.
But there was enough to show why United are so steadfastly refusing to listen to offers for him this summer. Unless they can find someone to take on the goal-scoring mantle in the final three weeks of the transfer window, that is unlikely to change.
Ten Hag’s decision to use Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes as interchangeable false nines didn’t work – despite a bright opening.
It was a first half as bad as much of what we saw here last season.
At the other end another new boy – former Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez looked assured early on – but it didn’t last. The Argentine was given a tough time by former United striker Danny Welbeck.
Where did it all go Ron?
If ever a picture told a story…
Cristiano Ronaldo did, of course, get of the bench for the final 37 minutes – but it made little difference in United’s 2-1 home loss to Brighton.
Piers blames Ron’s team-mates
Cristiano Ronaldo’s pal Piers Morgan suggests Man Utd showed why Cristiano Ronaldo wants out.
The TV presenter blasted: The problem is the rest of the squad aren’t fit to lace his boots in terms of quality, work ethic, commitment & will to win.
“That’s why he wants out, and who can blame him?”
That sparked a huge debate on social media – many agreeing with Morgan, but others pointing out that “no-one” seems to want 27-year-old legend Ronaldo.
And another fan hit out: “The McFred midfield will never win anything. Useless.”
Focus on the future for ten Hag
Man Utd have to put this defeat behind them, but they have to learn from their mistakes.
If they do not, they will continue to keep making them.
They travel to Brentford in their next game, desperately in need of bouncing back to winning ways before welcoming fierce North West rivals Liverpool to Old Trafford.
Brighton welcome Newcastle to the Amex Stadium before they hit the road again, travelling to West Ham.
Away form was not an issue for Graham Potter’s side last season but he will be keen to improve their home form, starting with Newcastle next weekend.
‘As bad as any Prem team’
Roy Keane believes Manchester United are “as bad as any team in the Premier League” after watching their first half horror show against Brighton.
Cristiano Ronaldo only came on for the second half in the 2-1 loss.
Ex-United captain told Sky Sports: “United look very, very fragile. It’s the same problems. Questions about the personality of the team and the big problem is, out of possession, they look so open.
“They started OK and had a great chance. Fernandes has to hit the target.
“But after that Brighton have been excellent and Man United, gaps everywhere and so open it’s untrue.”
How Utd’s subs fared
SUBS
Cristiano Ronaldo – 5
Ronaldo came off the bench amid the ongoing drama about his future.
But he didn’t manage to become the difference maker and questions remain as to where he will play this season.
Donny van de Beek – 5
Donny van de Beek came on late after 79 minutes and didn’t have time to help United equalise.
Van de Beek can still hope for a comeback season under his former Ajax boss.
Tyrell Malacia – N/A
Came on late in the second half.
Anthony Elanga – N/A
Came on late in the second half.
Only sing when you’re winning…..
Kudos to the away fans today who most definitely win ‘chant of the day’ at Old Trafford as they sang……
‘Just like Brighton, your City is blue!!’
And the last of the starters…
Christian Eriksen – 5
Started as a false nine, which is quite an unknown position for the attacking midfielder.
Underwhelming debut as he also missed a shot from a promising position in the first half.
Ready for more, Red Devils’ fans…?
Fred – 3
Very poor performance by Fred who almost caused a goal early on when he gave the ball away to Leandro Trossard inside the box.
Caused the second goal when he lost Gross, although he probably didn’t expect De Gea to to give the ball away.
Didn’t offer much in midfield and was rightly taken off early in the second half.
Jadon Sancho – 5
Nothing like his impressive performances during pre-season.
If anything, this reminded us a bit of last season’s performances.
Bruno Fernandes – 5
Not his usual influential self on the pitch as he couldn’t create danger.
Brighton’s defence did a good job keeping the playmaker at bay during a lively second half.
Marcus Rashford – 5
Marcus Rashford’s poor form continues from last season as he failed to score on two promising occasions from close distance.
United manager Ten Hag has a lot of work to do to help him rediscover his old form.
UTD RATINGS CONTINUED
Harry Maguire – 4
The United captain lost Danny Welbeck in the build-up to the first goal.
Maguire also picked up a silly yellow card when he shoved Gross during a spat.
Lisandro Martinez – 4
An underwhelming debut by Martinez as he lost Welbeck twice and that led to Brighton’s first.
Didn’t inspire security at the back as was hoped after United’s poor campaign last season. But he did improve in the second half.
Luke Shaw – 5
Pretty anonymous throughout the match, didn’t manage to produce much down the left flank.
We can expect him to have quite the competition with summer signing Malacia.
Scott McTominay – 5
Scott McTominay improved in the second half but didn’t manage to offer anything significant.
Was far better than his partner in the first half Fred.
MAN UTD RATINGS
Here’s how our man Kostas Lianos saw the Red Devils’ performances indivudually.
And it doesn’t make good reading for Fred especially – nor for others like Harry Maguire and new boy Lisandro Martinez…
David de Gea – 6
Should have held on to Solly March’s shot in the build-up to Gross’ second goal.
But David de Gea was otherwise pretty solid in his reactions throughout.
Diogo Dalot – 5
Helped get one of the untidiest goals of the season already so far as his deflection led to Mac Allister’s own goal.
But didn’t offer anything significant in defence and was quite toothless in attack. Struggled to combine with Ronaldo down the right flank.
Huge club, even bigger challenge
The hierarchy at Old Trafford will be scratching their heads at what is going wrong at their football club.
Big players, even bigger wages and an annual turnover most countries would be proud of.
But for all of that, they cannot find the winning formula to get them back to where they want to be, challenging for major honours again.
ten Hag is now the eighth manager to take the helm in hope of changing fortunes at Old Trafford.
Some huge names have tried before with Jose Mourinho even saying that his greatest achievement in football was finishing in second place in the Premier League with the squad he had at Man Utd.
It could be another long season for Red Devils fans as they are forced to take a back seat, watching their rivals compete in another title race.
Dutch curse continues to plague league
Only one Dutch manager has won his first game in charge of a Premier League side.
Guus Hiddink was the man, in charge of his first Chelsea game, winning at Aston Villa in 2009.
There will be a lot of disappointed fans leaving Old Trafford who were expecting their day to be very different.
Sir Alex Ferguson looks overjoyed at the final whistle.
Credit: PA Potter casts spell over Old Trafford
Brighton continue their away form from last season.
Tactically, the visitors were superb today.
Graham Potter set his side out to capitalise on the frailties of this Man Utd side and boy did they carry out his instructions.
It could have been a bigger scoreline had VAR correctly overturned a penalty decision for a foul on Danny Welbeck but no Brighton fan will care now as it is the three points that count.
FT: Man Utd 1-2 Brighton
It is all over!
Brighton have their first ever Premier League victory at Old Trafford.
Welcome to Manchester Erik ten Hag.
If he didn’t realise the size of the challenge before, now he does.
Man Utd 1-2 Brighton
90+4. Not long left here now.
Brighton are doing the sensible thing and looking to run the clock down whenever they have chance.
Welbeck makes way for Undav.
Closely run thing between him and Gross for ‘Man of the Match’ for me.
Credit: Reuters Man Utd 1-2 Brighton
90+2. Lamptey does well to win a free kick just outside of the United box.
It is fired in but is cleared just as quickly by the home side.
The camera pans on to one of the Glazier’s in the crowd.
I’m not sure which one it is, it’s like naming which Bee Gee you just saw.
Man Utd 1-2 Brighton
90. Sancho, Shaw and Fernandes come off for Malacia, Elanga and Garnacho.
Last chance saloon for the home side to find an equaliser.
March comes off for Levi Colwill for Brighton.
We are going to have five minutes of added time here.
Credit: Reuters Man Utd 1-2 Brighton
88. Corner comes in for United and finds Martinez on the back post.
His header is blocked but the ball breaks straight back to him.
He looks to unleash a shot at goal but Lewis Dunk comes from nowhere with a sliding challenge to prevent what seemed to be an almost certain goal.
Man Utd 1-2 Brighton
86. The ball breaks to Eriksen some way out.
Rolling the ball in front of him, the Danish midfielder looks to have a shot at goal.
The ball is blocked and Brighton are able to clear.
Man Utd 1-2 Brighton
84. It is breaking down all too often for United.
When it does, it gives the visitors the chance to counter attack.
Running down valuable minutes on the clock in the process.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
