Erik ten Hag said a lack of self belief cost his Manchester United side as the Dutchman's Old Trafford reign got off to the worst possible start following a 2-1 defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday.
Pascal Gross scored twice in the first half for Brighton before an Alexis Mac Allister own goal gave United a glimmer of hope in the 68th minute, but Brighton held on for their first win at Old Trafford.
"I think it was a good start and then after [the first goal] we dropped down a level, dropped down in belief and we made mistakes and the opponent punished us," Ten Hag told reporters.
"We dropped down in belief in the first half and that cannot happen, you always have to believe in yourself and stick together as a team.
"We came back in the second half and we had to believe on the pitch and that was good to see. They have to deal with those setbacks and give themselves belief because they are really good players."
Wantaway striker Cristiano Ronaldo started on the bench before being introduced as a second-half substitute. Ten Hag defended his decision to leave the Portugal international out of the starting XI, saying he was not ready to play a full match after missing United's pre-season tour to Thailand and Australia.
Christian Eriksen was instead deployed as a 'false nine', with Ronaldo coming on in the 53rd minute.
"If there was an available striker, I would have played him," Ten Hag said. "Ronaldo is now maybe for 10 days in team training and too short for 90 minutes, so that is the reason we didn't start him.
"We considered Marcus Rashford as a striker but he had a really good season on the left side and he had two really good chances, but the typical nine wasn't available today."
United next face Brentford in the Premier League on August 13.
United v Brighton ratings
-
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
