Man Utd fans fight in the stands at Old Trafford as Utd are beaten by Brighton

Things turned sour on and off the pitch as Manchester United lost to Brighton in their first Premier League game of the season.

Hope was high among United fans for the start of a new era under Erik ten Hag but they suffered a first ever home defeat to the Seagulls, who were deserved winners at Old Trafford.

Pascal Gross scored twice in the first half to give Brighton a commanding lead and while an Alexis Mac Allister own goal reduced the deficit after the break, Ten Hag's side could not complete the turnaround.

The result led to increased tensions in the stands and a fight appeared to break out in one area of the crowd at Old Trafford.

In one photograph, a man seems to have his hand around the throat of another spectator.

Fans from the section below then got involved as others attempted to diffuse the situation, while many simply looked on in horror.

Before the game, Ten Hag urged supporters to be the 12th man against Brighton.

'If we bring commitment then I think they [the fans] will like it and they will bring the fight back,' the Dutchman said. 'The stadium I think is meant to bring fight and co-operation.'

It appears that some of those in attendance at Old Trafford took that call to action a little too seriously.