Man Utd transfer news

GRAHAM POTTER went potty for Danny Welbeck after the Brighton striker dumped Manchester United despite suffering from a stomach bug.The Seagulls spoiled new United manager Erik ten Hag’s debut at Old Trafford as they beat the Red Devils 2-1 thanks to a brace by Pascal Gross.
Brighton star Danny Welbeck played against Manchester United with a stomach bugCredit: Getty
Brighton boss Graham Potter praised Danny Welbeck’s resilienceCredit: Getty
And Welbeck put in a stunning performance against his former club as he dominated United centre-halves Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, and even notched an assist.
The Brighton boss wasn’t revealed Welbeck was never going to let illness get in his way.
Potter said: “He would have strapped the toilet on to his backside to play, it would have slowed him down though. He was amazing.”
The Brighton boss added: “You can see how many times we have won here as a club, it is not easy so when you do get the three points it is nice to celebrate.
Read More on Football
“The guys were amazing, it was a top performance, one of real charisma and personality and I am really proud of them.
“It was a fantastic effort from the players and we deserved the win over the course of the game. It’s a historic win for us so it’s something to be happy about.
“We had an idea about how to attack and then, when we could, we tried to press and put them under pressure. We were brave in what we did.”
Ten Hag admitted he has his work cut out at Old Trafford after a poor start to the season.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
The Dutch tactician insists United players and staff need to learn from their mistakes and move on.
Ten Hag said: “It is a hell of a job. We have to work really hard, analyse then move forward.
“We have to take the lessons and learn quickly from it. We don’t have time and we have to deliver. I think also with these players we could also have done it better.
“I knew it could happen but I think we should have done better – that is clear but I know also it will not come overnight.” More

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Erik ten Hag admitted his team is better with Cristiano Ronaldo on the pitch.Ronaldo started on the bench in United’s first Premier League match of the season against Brighton at Old Trafford and came on in the second half.
Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag said his team is better with Cristiano RonaldoCredit: Rex
Manchester United star Cristiano Ronaldo came on from the bench against BrightonCredit: Getty
The Red Devils became more creative and got a goal after 68 minutes when a moment of confusion between Seagulls goalkeeper Robert Sanchez and Alexis Mac Allister led to the latter’s freak own goal.
Ten Hag admitted that the Manchester giants’ performance improved once the five-time Ballon d’Or winner joined the action.
The United boss told Sky Sports: “It was clear to see in the second half we were better in the midfield, Christian Eriksen down and Cristiano Ronaldo up.
“We created and had really good chances. It is a pity we didn’t score them.”
Read More on Man Utd
And Ten Hag is confident Ronaldo’s fitness levels will improve after he missed pre-season due to family reasons.
The Dutchman added: “It takes time, you cannot force it. He is one week in training.
“He has to do more to get fit. This game will help and he will be better next week.”
Ten Hag admitted the loss to Brighton marks a disappointing start to his United tenure.
Most read in Football
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
The Seagulls won 2-1 thanks to two goals by Pascall Gross, who opened the scoring in the half-hour mark and completed his brace only nine minutes later.
Ten Hag said: “Of course it is definitely a setback, a real disappointment. We have to deal with it.
“I knew from the start it wouldn’t be easy. It is a process, it takes time – but you don’t have time.
“You have to win games. We should have done better. We have to analyse it and take the lessons.” More

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.
Manchester United lost 2-1 to Brighton in their first Premier League matchCredit: Reuters
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…
Read More on Man Utd
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
Most read in Football
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
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag’s debut was accompanied by a poor resultCredit: Reuters
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.
Manchester United superstar Cristiano Ronaldo came on during the second halfCredit: Reuters
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.
Manchester United ace Marcus Rashford struggled against BrightonCredit: Getty
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.
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 remain at the club this season
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire picked up a silly yellow cardCredit: Reuters
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 More

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 was a frustrated spectator after being benched by new boss Erik ten Hag in the Dutchman’s first competitive match in charge.
Roy Keane slammed ‘fragile’ Man Utd’s first half display against BrightonCredit: Getty
And after Bruno Fernandes missed an early sitter, the day soon began to turn from a dream into a nightmare as the Seagulls swept through the Red Devils defence.
Pascal Gross first silenced Old Trafford with the opening goal after half an hour.
And he doubled Brighton’s advantage just nine minutes later as home supporters booed their team off at the break.
Ex-United captain was working as a pundit for Sky Sports, and he did not hold back as he assessed his former side’s first half performance.
READ MORE MAN UTD
Keane said: “Brighton have been excellent – let’s give them credit before we start criticising Manchester United.
“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.”
Most read in Football
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Keane added: “We shouldn’t be that surprised. We’ve spoken about the changes in the team and the personality of the new manager and of course he will need time.
“But I go back to the personalities in the team. The two in the middle of the park, all over the place.
“See for the goals, Fernandes and Eriksen, gaps all over.
“Out of possession, Man United are as poor as any team in the Premier League.
“I know it’s early days but I’m going back to the habits that they had last year. It’s well and good when you’re in possession, but when you’re out of it, it is just too open.”
Ronaldo came off the bench shortly after the restart, and despite an own goal giving United a chance, the superstar was unable to spark a comeback as they slipped to a 2-1 defeat. More

ERIK TEN HAG’S era at Manchester United started with his team being booed off at half-time. A Pascal Gross brace saw United start off their season terribly by going 2-0 down at home before the break.
Erik ten Hag ponders how to get United back into the gameCredit: AP
Ronaldo looks on from the bench as United go 2-0 downCredit: Reuters
Ten Hag named Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench for his first-ever game.
He opted to go with Christian Eriksen as a false nine, but the approach backfired.
United were battered 4-0 the last time they played Brighton in last season’s finale.
And the first half saw Brighton get halfway to matching that result.
READ MORE ON MAN UTD
Graham Potter’s well-oiled Brighton side looked polished despite losing Yves Bissouma and Marc Cucurella over the transfer window.
Meanwhile, Ten Hag’s side looked completely lost at times, with Scott McTominay also lucky not be sent off following a challenge on Moises Caicedo.
Danny Welbeck in particular caused the United defence problems.
Welbeck’s well-timed run allowed him to get in behind the United defence and provide a low cross which Gross ran onto at the far post and tucked into the net for his first.

Most read in Football
JOIN SUN VEGAS: GET A FREE £10 BONUS WITH 100s OF GAMES TO PLAY AND NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED (Ts&Cs apply)
United were undone again nine minutes later, when David de Gea could only push a shot into the path of the German at the far post, with the United defence asleep once again.
Manchester United improved somewhat in the second half, with Ronaldo coming off the bench and them getting a goal thanks to Alexis Mac Allister putting into his own net.
But it wasn’t enough to stop the season getting off to the worst possible start. More