Man utd

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has outlined why he picked the XI to face Brighton & Hove Albion in his opening competitive fixture as Reds boss.

"They [the midfielders] both have the intelligence and they can complement each other with their styles," added Erik in his MUTV interview. In the Premier League, the games I saw this weekend were really tough with high intensity." He only played 45 minutes and he's not on the fitness levels of the rest of the team.

Erik ten Hag has already made an immediate impact after taking over as Manchester United manager, and the former Ajax boss is still waiting to take charge ...

By the end of the window, there's every chance it will begin to look like a group carved in Ten Hag's image. "In a new lay-out agreed with Erik, the home and away dugouts have been permanently switched so that the United manager, staff and substitutes will now be sat in the seats to the west of the half-way line – the dugout previously occupied by the away team," a club statement read. Two players suspected of being the source of leaks have now left United, and there may be more movement under Ten Hag's watch. It marks a change to a situation which has been the norm since the days of Alex Ferguson, and emphasises how this is very much Ten Hag's team now. During Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's time in charge, there was a feeling from some quarters that the Norwegian was too nice to United's players. It might not feel like a big move, but Ten Hag's dugout demand is just one way in which the new manager has made his presence felt.

Erik ten Hag endures a nightmare first Premier League game in charge of Manchester United as they lose at home to Brighton.

Christian Eriksen (Manchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is blocked. Attempt blocked. Cristiano Ronaldo (Manchester United) right footed shot from the centre of the box is blocked. Lisandro Martínez (Manchester United) header from the left side of the box is blocked. Attempt blocked. - Away12 - Shots None of Brighton's summer signings started this match. It was another Portuguese, Diogo Dalot, who created the confusion that led to United's goal. Within eight minutes of the resumption, Ronaldo had been introduced to try and lead a rescue mission. Brighton, well drilled and fluid, took advantage. Yet so many of the old issues remained.

Starting with Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench, United were thoroughly outplayed in the first half as two Pascal Gross goals in the space of nine minutes gave the ...

It was not picturebook by any means as Sanchez flapped at Fernandes’ delivery, the ball landed on the back of Dalot and it ended up in the back of the net via a combination of Sanchez and Mac Allister, who was credited with the own goal. Starting with Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench, United were thoroughly outplayed in the first half as two Pascal Gross goals in the space of nine minutes gave the Seagulls a deserved lead. Erik ten Hag endured a chastening reminder of the size of the job he has on his hands at Manchester United as his first game in charge ended in a 2-1 defeat to Brighton at Old Trafford.

"The two in the middle of the park, all over the place,” Keane told Sky Sports. “Out of possession Man United are as poor as any team in the Premier League.

“My biggest worry for players like Christian and the big problem for Man United in the last year or two is out of possession against better teams so that’s not one of his strengths. Cristiano Ronaldo was brought on in the 53rd minute but former Manchester City defender Richards believes he should have been brought on at half-time. United’s problems of last season were their downfall once again despite the new manager, as Keane blasted midfielders Fred and Scott McTominay for their first-half performances.

MANCHESTER UNITED lock horns with Brighton in Erik ten Hag's first Premier League match on Sunday afternoon.

That is the attitude we all need. "The stadium I think is meant to bring fight and cooperation. And Erik ten Hag has numerous issues to contend with as he looks to succeed at Old Trafford following his arrival from Ajax. "We have to get the best out of it and of course there will be setbacks and disappointments, that's life, that's sports life and every club, every supporter, every team has to deal with it. But we have to give the example out on the pitch, we must have the right attitude and that attitude means hard work but also especially, it means being brave. "Me, the coaching, the players, we have to do everything to bring success back on the pitch because on the pitch is where everything starts," said the Dutchman.