EPL: Nightmare start for Ten Hag as Brighton beat Manchester United at Old Trafford

Manchester United manager, Erik Ten Hag had a nightmare start to life in the Premier League as Brighton & Hove Albion bagged all three points in their clash on Sunday at Old Trafford.

The match, which ended 2-1, was a reminder to United fans of last season’s woes.

Pascal Gross grabbed the first goal in the 30th minute after an assist by Danny Welbeck to send shock waves across the United bench. The goal, rather than spur the Red Devils to find the rhythm that saw them impress in pre-season, left the side in disarray.

Nine minutes later, Gross got a second to put Brighton firmly in the driving seat. With United’s midfield of Fred and Scott McTominay well handled by the Seagulls, more trouble seemed to be on the way.

ALSO READ: Premier League: Arsenal conquer Crystal Palace in season opener

The fans as well as Ten Hag could not wait for the halftime whistle to regroup. Wantaway talisman, Cristiano Ronaldo was forced on in the 58th minute with Fred yanked off while Donny Van De Beek replaced his ineffectual partner, MacTominay, in the 78th minute. More changes came in the 90th minute with Jadon Sancho, Luke Shaw and Bruno Fernandes making way for Anthony Elanga, Tyrell Malacia and Alejandro Gamacho.

United could have gotten more from the game had Marcus Rashford scored two glaring chances.

Former Tottenham and Brentford man, Christian Eriksen put in a decent shift but was not enough to fetch anything for United.

ALSO READ: Chelsea targets snatched by Barcelona

The fans had hoped Alexis MacAllister’s own goal could sput them on to get the leveller but the final whistle ended such dream.

The Red Devils will face Brentford away with the hope of getting their season started.

Meanwhile, Leicester City were forced to a 2-2 draw by Brentford at the King Power Stadium.

ALSO READ: Premier League: Mitrovic grabs brace as Fulham hold Liverpool

Timothy Castagne had put the Foxes ahead in the 33rd minute after a James Maddison assist. The side controlled most of the exchanges and got rewarded with a second goal in the 46th minute with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall getting the goal with a Jamie Vardy assist.

However, the tables turned after Ivan Toney put Brentford back in the game in the 62nd minute before Pelenda Da Silva ensured the points were shared in the 86th minute.