MANCHESTER UNITED’S Premier League season started on a sour note and included boos from the home crowd.
United lost 2-1 to the Seagulls at Old Trafford following a brace from Pascal Gross in the first half.
Erik ten Hag’s debut at the helm was combined with another disappointing result, even though the team improved in the second half and got one in thanks to a freak own goal by Alexis Mac Allister.
Ten Hag started summer signings Lisandro Martinez as well as Christian Eriksen and brought Tyrell Malacia on from the bench.
Cristiano Ronaldo was among the substitutes and came on in the second half but struggled to impress.
SunSport’s Kostas Lianos brings you player ratings of every United ace following another disappointing performance…
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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
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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
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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 Fred in the first half.
However, he was fortunate to even be on the pitch after a horror lunge than landed him with a booking.
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 palm it straight to the Brighton ace.
Didn’t offer much in midfield and was rightly taken off early in the second.
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 range.
United manager Ten Hag has a lot of work to do to help him rediscover his old form.
Looks well short of confidence.
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.
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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 remain at the club 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
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
