Manchester United v Brighton ratings: Fred 4, Eriksen 7; Gross 9, Trossard 9

Desperate start for new United manager Erik ten Hag as Brighton impress for victory

MANCHESTER UNITED RATINGS: David de Gea 5 - Busy from the start. Needlessly gave possession back to Brighton on 16 minutes and could have done better for the second. And all this against a side who had lost 12 and drawn two of their previous 14 games at Old Trafford. AP

Diogo Dalot 5 - Lost the ball for the first time after 8 seconds, which led to Brighton’s first chance as United conceded another goal from a cross and cut back. Balls played inside him and he doesn’t look comfortable defending, but he’s better in attack and his header led to United’s first goal. Shot on target after 73 minutes. Reuters

Harry Maguire 6 - Well supported by fans inside the stadium and tried to do the same to the team he captains. Tussling with Trossard and booked for it at the start of the second half. Busied himself, but Brighton battered United in the middle in the first half. Getty

Lisandro Martinez 5 - Neatly beat Lallana after controlling the ball at 0-0, but welcome to the Premier League. Heavy touches. Clumsy challenge on Welbeck, who had the better of him, looked like a penalty. Shot from distance after 75 and again ten minutes later before a Dunk block. EPA

Luke Shaw 5 - Went with the runner but unable to stop Gross’ opener. Booked after 73. Well short of the required standard and he now has Malacia for competition. PA

Fred 4 - Played in the holding midfielder role after a positive pre-season, but it wasn’t a positive afternoon for him. Set Rashford free, then gave the ball away, before winning it back, on eight minutes. Tried his luck from distance after 35. No reaction to stop Brighton’s second and brought off after 52 – he wasn’t happy. AFP

Scott McTominay 4 - Set up Fernandes with a fine early chance. Booked for a heavy challenge on Caicedo after 26. Overrun in midfield as Brighton busted Ten Hag’s central overload. Gave the ball away at the start of the second. Clear to see why Ten Hag wants Frenkie de Jong. Getty

Jadon Sancho 5 - Fine ball across the pitch to Eriksen after 23. Improved towards the end on the right, but too peripheral overall and ultimately disappointing after a bright pre-season. Reuters

Bruno Fernandes 5 - Swept a 6th minute shot over when he should have hit the target. Poor cross on 18. Creative but too wasteful. Must do better. PA

Marcus Rashford 5 - When he failed to control a ball just after half time it summed up where United are at. Shot wide after 49 and then shot – but was well saved by Sanchez on 60. Connected with a Fernandes cross on 65 but could have done better. Getty

Christian Eriksen 7 - Played as a false nine in the first half and should have done better with his shot after an early counter attack. Fired a 48th minute shot across goal towards Rashford. Dropped deeper and became more effective as he had the best United shot of the game after 66. He can build play well and his assist record is impressive, but it’s doubtful he should be used as the most forward player. EPA

SUBS: Cristiano Ronaldo 6 - On for Fred and crossed for Rashford from the right. Got in the right positions, urged the crowd on for more support. United improved with him on the pitch, but not enough to get back in the game. EPA

Donny van de Beek 6 - On for McTominay after 77. Lovely touch to Sancho on 82, where United found the most space. Getty

Anthony Elanga N/A On for Fernandes after 89. AP

Tyrell Malacia N/A On for Shaw after 89. Reuters

Alejandro Garnacho N/A On for Sancho after 89. He’s been training well. AFP

BRIGHTON RATINGS: Robert Sanchez 8 – Outside of a poorly timed mistake for the goal, Sanchez pulled off a few world class saves to keep the Seagulls in control. Getty

Joel Veltman 7 – Got dragged out of position from time to time but overall, utilised his physicality and had some nice reactions when in tough situations. EPA

Lewis Dunk 8 – Covered loose passages of play well and used his imposing size to make some really nice blocks. PA

Adam Webster 8 – Grew into the game after looking nervy early on and saved Brighton on more than one occasion. Getty

Solly March 8 – Forced a good save for the second goal, had a cracking work ethic and was as determined as anyone on the pitch. EPA

Alexis Mac Allister 6 – Did well playing deeper than usual but made a big mistake that helped make it 2-1, and he probably could’ve done better with his decision making. Reuters

Moises Caicedo 8 – Played a top through ball for the second goal and read the game beautifully with some great football IQ. PA

Leandro Trossard 9 – The positional play of the Belgian was matched only by his brilliant urgency and cardio from start to finish. EPA

Pascal Gross 9 – Got into incredible spots on two occasions to grab the vital brace that helped Brighton to victory. AP

Adam Lallana 8 – Helped to string things together and put on the performance of a composed veteran. Getty

Danny Welbeck 8 – Squared the ball for a nice assist, got after United’s back four at every available opportunity and was a constant thorn in his former club’s side. Getty

SUBS: Tariq Lamptey, N/A – Constantly hounded United down the flank and did a great job of keeping the ball for his side. AFP

Levi Colwill N/A – Was active and pushing the tempo during his brief cameo in the final minutes at Old Trafford. PA

Enock Mwepu N/A – Was steady, controlled and calm after coming on to help steady the ship in the middle of the park. AFP

Deniz Undav N/A – Came on to help kill the last few seconds of the game for the visitors. Getty

Andy Mitten and Harry Kettle

Erik ten Hag's reign as Manchester United manager got off to a nightmare start 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.

The former Ajax boss left Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench after he only returned to pre-season training last week but without him, United had no focal point to their attack as Christian Eriksen started in an unfamiliar role as a false nine.

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Manchester United's familiar failings exposed as Brighton claim first win at Old Trafford

Brighton exposed the same flaws in United's wide open midfield to pick apart Ten Hag's men with ease.

Danny Welbeck, who United discarded back in 2014, was a constant threat in behind the vulnerable defensive pairing of Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez.

Welbeck created the opener as he ran off Maguire and laid the ball across goal for Gross to slot into an unguarded net at the back post.

Ronaldo's introduction early in the second half at least lifted the noise levels inside Old Trafford.

Marcus Rashford looked reborn during pre-season, but failed to make his mark when it counted as Robert Sanchez produced a stunning save to block the England international's effort from Ronaldo's pinpoint cross.

Sanchez gave United a lifeline 22 minutes from time, flapping at a corner under pressure from Diogo Dalot and then slapping the ball into his own net off Mac Allister, but it was not enough.

Player ratings from the match can be seen in the gallery above. To see the next rating, just swipe.

Updated: August 07, 2022, 4:07 PM