Manchester United’s new era begins much like the last ended. Erik ten Hag’s first competitive game in charge will be recorded as a defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion and will be remembered as even more deflating than the 4-0 reverse at the Amex in the penultimate game of last season: not just because this time it came at Old Trafford but because it punctures any sense of early optimism built by this latest cultural reset.
United’s aspirations of a top-four finish and a swift return to the Champions League under their new manager were made to look remote by Pascal Gross’s first-half double, which earned Brighton’s first-ever win at this ground. It was deserved. Bar a spell of pressure leading up to Alexis Mac Allister’s own goal, United offered precious little evidence of having made progress over the summer.
