Man Utd 1-2 Brighton: Ten Hag's era is off to a horror start, Groß strikes twice

Erik ten Hag began his time in charge of Manchester United by leading the Red Devils to his first Premier League game in charge on Sunday, but Brighton & Hove Albion spoiled the Dutchman's party.

Match Report

With Cristiano Ronaldo watching on from the bench, Graham Potter's team were by far the better side in the opening stages.

Pascal Gross was the man to break the deadlock with two goals in the space of nine minutes before half-time.

For the first, it was Gross who tapped in as Danny Welbeck cut through United's defence on his return to his former club, before pulling it back to the German to convert.

Minutes later, Solly March's effort from the right flank could only be palmed away by David de Gea and Gross was ready to pounce on the rebound.

Second-half fight-back

Ten Hag looked to change things up in the second half, calling on Cristiano as a substitute, with Christian Eriksen dropping into midfield after playing the first hour as a false nine.

The Portugal international did not have the desired impact though, and United could only pull one goal back.

A corner saw Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire challenge Robert Sanchez in the Brighton goal, with Alexis McAllister inadvertently turning the ball into his own net.

Brighton managed to see out the result to secure their first ever league win at Old Trafford, with Gross becoming the first Brighton player ever to score two against Manchester United.

Match Events

0' The match is about to start!

6' MISS! Bruno's shot flies into the sky

18' Ferguson watches the game in stands

29' GOAL! Man Utd 0-1 Brighton (Gross)

38' GOAL! Man Utd 0-2 Brighton (Gross)

40' Ronaldo warms up on the sidelines

46' Yellow Card! Martinez booked

49' CHANCE! Welbeck's header over the bar

53' Sub! Ronaldo replaces Fred

60' CLOSE! Rashford misses a golden chance

67' OWN GOAL! Man Utd 1-2 Brighton (Mac Allister)

78' Sub! Van de Beek replaces McTominay

Line-ups

Man Utd XI: De Gea, Eriksen, Maguire, Fred, Shaw, Bruno Fernandes, Dalot, Rashford, Sancho, Martinez, McTominay

Subs: Ronaldo, Heaton, Varane, Van de Beek, Wan-Bissaka, T. Malacia, Garner, A. Elanga, Alejandro Garnacho

Brighton XI: Lallana, Webster, Welbeck, Gross, Veltman, Dunk, Trossard, March, Robert Sanchez, Mac Allister, M. Caicedo

Subs: Steele, Maupay, D. Undav, E. Mwepu, K. Mitoma, Jeremy Sarmiento, Tariq Lamptey, J. van Hecke, Levi Colwill