Man United blasted over 'unacceptable' farce under new manager

Manchester United fans have been left deflated after starting the new Premier League season with manager Erik ten Hag with a tough 2-1 loss to Brighton.

United fans were hoping the former Ajax manager could work his magic with the new season bringing with it a renewed sense of belief.

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However, it didn't take long for United to slip back into their familiar habits as some lacklustre defending saw Brighton take a quick 2-0 lead thanks to a Pascal Gross double.

United grabbed a goal back, through an own goal, but never looked like overturning the deficit.

And after the match, ten Hag was critical of how his team performed in their much-hyped season opener.

"Definitely a setback, a real disappointment," Ten Hag said.

"I knew from the start it will not be easy. And it's a process, it takes time. But you don't have time, we have to win games. We should have done better."

The pressure will only mount on ten Hag after opting to start Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench after he claimed the forward was short on match fitness.

However, United looked stronger when the froward came on.

Speculation has been running wild that Ronaldo has been looking for a way out of Manchester and only time will tell if this was the right move in ten Hag's first game.

United legends blast Manchester performance

And the loss had United legends once again calling for immediate changes.

Gary Neville told Sky Sports that the coach needed to be supported in the transfer window, which has seen United chasing big signings for the majority of the pre-season.

“Anyone who has watched those Manchester United players he has been handed will recognise that is a familiar performance and the people above him should have known that was an unacceptable situation to hand Erik ten Hag that squad,” Neville said on Sky Sports.

“It needed improving more than it has been. There is still time in the window but he needed three or four weeks more to work with them.

“Every coach comes in thinking they can do better than the last coach with the players at his disposal as they believe they are a better coach and that is probably the case with this. But the reality is, he’s seen what those players are capable of today.

“I don’t think any Manchester United fan or pundit that has watched this team over the last 12 months, with the same players playing in the same positions, expected anything different than what we saw.

“The reality is those players need replacing or supported more by better players.”

Roy Keane took aim at the current crop of United players and said it appeared Fred and Scott McTominay were not up to standard.

United's players were booed off the field after their match, but Manchester City's new signing Erling Haaland made an instant impression in the Premier League.

The 22-year-old showed his speed to accelerate away from two defenders and was brought down by goalkeeper Alphonse Areola before calmly sidefooting his penalty into the left corner.

His second goal was coolly taken from a Kevin de Bruyne pass.

Brentford came from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at Leicester thanks to substitute Josh Dasilva's equaliser in the 86th minute.

with AAP

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