As the new season gets underway on Friday, August 5, 2022, Erik ten Hag’s reign as Manchester United manager got off on a shaky note as Brighton registered their first ever victory at Old Trafford with a 2-1 win on the opening weekend of the Premier League season.
Alexis Mac Allister’s own goal gave United a foothold in the game, but they rarely looked like getting back on level terms, showing the scale of the task lying ahead for Ten Hag.
For yet an unknown reason, the former Ajax boss left Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench after he only returned to pre-season training last week.
Ronaldo is reportedly seeking an exit from Old Trafford to play Champions League football this season.
But without the five time Ballon d’Or winner, United had no focal point to their attack as Christian Eriksen started in an unfamiliar role as a false nine.
The outcome could have been very different had Bruno Fernandes not blazed over a glorious chance on six minutes.
The nadir of a nightmare campaign for United last season as they finished sixth in the Premier League came in a 4-0 defeat to Brighton in May, and the Seagulls quickly settled into their passing rhythm.
Graham Potter, the head coach of Brighton have lost two of their best players during the transfer window, as Yves Bissouma joined Spurs and Marc Cucurella moved to Chelsea this week for a club record fee in excess of £60 million ($72 million).
But it did not show as Brighton exposed the same flaws in United’s wide open midfield to pick apart Ten Hag’s men with ease.
