Erik ten Hag does not believe his decision to start Christian Eriksen up front in a strikerless formation had a major bearing on Manchester United's demoralising defeat to Brighton.
United lost their opening fixture for only the seventh time in the Premier League era in a 2-1 reverse as Pascal Gross's goals secured Brighton's first-ever win at Old Trafford.
Ten Hag played Eriksen, a playmaker also adept at playing in midfield, up front to offset the absence of the injured Anthony Martial despite the presence of Cristiano Ronaldo and Anthony Elanga on the bench.