😓88'-95': United huff and puff into full-time, losing their first Premier League game against Erik ten Hag. They were dominated and outplayed in the first half, conceding two poor goals. The Red Devils created plenty of chances in the second half, but poor finishing and a lack of finishing resulted in the loss. Horrible way to end the season.
⏰78'-88': Time is running out for United as they struggle to get the ball into the Brighton box. Meanwhile, Garnacho, Elanga and Malacia are set to come on for the late minutes.
Somaliona via Reddit: "It's so painfully fucking obvious how much better the CM moves the ball without Fred or McTominay that I feel like I'm taking crazy pills."
⏰73'-78': Donny van de Beek is brought on by Ten Hag, with McTominay going after a poor performance. Can he help get the equalizer?
Transit-Strike via Reddit: " Big brain move from ETH. You know how salespeople show you their best product without mentioning the price so you fall in love with it. Amd once that happens nothing else is good enough. ETH did the opposite. Showed the Glazers how shit McFred was as a concept. Then introduced Eriksen deep."
⏰68'-73': Dalot gets the ball at the left-wing, cuts in and takes a shot that is scuffed by Sanchez but nobody is there to tap it in! Shaw gets booked for a reckless foul.
Gee_z via Reddit: "Having both Eriksen and Bruno dropping deep to collect 2nd balls is a nice threat we've not had before. Helps keeping the pressure in a way I've missed."
😍68': GOALLL! United get one back! Sanchez fails to clear a corner and Dalot's backheader is converted into the back of the net by Kevin MacAllister own goal.
Kixot123 via Reddit: "lol what a shitshow goal. I'll take it, now make 2 more lads."
UnitedPeoplesTV via Twitter: "2-1. GAME ON. Scrappy, taking it. United need to up the damn tempo! Control this game, crowd is jumping."
😨60'-65': Another bad miss from Rashford! Dalot picks out a great cross into the far post, but Marcus blasts one over the bar from open range.
Jglmghn via Reddit: "Outside of his many turnovers, Bruno has put 3 good balls to the back post today. Rashford has missed them all."
😐53'-60': Ronaldo makes a brilliant run to beat the offside trap and plays the ball to Rashford, who is one v one with Robert Sanchez, but fails to score past him from open range. It's judged offside, but doesn't look so on another glance.
Vagitablepi: "Same Rashford as last season. The aliens from space jam must have got him, never seen a player regress this much."
👀46'-53': Cristiano Ronaldo has been brought on, replacing Fred. Can he make an impact today? Meanwhile, Maguire has been booked for getting into a tussle with Trossard.
FourFourTwoJordan via Twitter: "If Ronaldo saves us his pre-season sulk can be forgotten."
Thor1138 via Reddit: "I hate this "yellow for both" crap on the Maguire incident. Trossard was literally trying to wrestle him, so Maguire pushed him off and ends up getting a booking too. So ridiculous."
46': The second half kicks off! A lot to do for United to salvage anything from this game now.
United players rated in first half (out of 10)
Average: Maguire - 6, Martinez - 6.5.
Must do better: De Gea - 4, Dalot - 3, Shaw - 4, Fred - 4, McTominay - 2, Fernandes - 5, Eriksen - 4, Rashford - 3, Sancho - 3.
⚫ HALF-TIME!
🕐 33' - 45+2' Those two goals have sucked the air out of United's tempo. The players look unorganised, sloppy in possession and are getting bullied by Brighton quite literally. This is giving us flashbacks of THAT 4-0 defeat.
⚽ GOAL! Gross makes it 0-2 for Brighton.
💬 David McDonnell via Twitter: "New manager, same old problems at Man Utd: the players."
💬 FourFourJordan via Twitter: "Who would have thought starting the season with the same goalkeeper and defenders that’s cost us for years on end would show no improvement…"
💬 markgoldbridge via Twitter: "This is what happens when you don't back a manager and expect to perform with another manager's shit."
🕐 22' - 32' Eriksen made a lovely run all the way to the other half and had a shot only for it to be saved. A Brighton player receives medical attention while United players take a water break.
Ten Hag is spotted giving instructions furiously. There is also a set-piece chance for Brighton but the ball is kicked away to safety. United players lose possession way too easily and Brighton get the first goal of the game.
⚽ GOAL! Pascal Gross scores for the visitors.
🟨 Yellow card shown to Scott McTominay.
💬 Ochu Rasheed via Twitter: "Manchester United is still that Manchester United. Not a single positive change. No game plan. Just vibes."
💬 StuCoops via Twitter: "Nucleus of a good side United but it's clear that Midfield needs sorting, we can't control the game it's all hurried forward play."
💬 Matthew17 via Twitter: "United don't look any different from last year tbh, any other striker than Welbeck and Brighton would probably be leading."
🕐 11' - 21' United appear to be relying too much on the break to initiate counter-attacks. Brighton, meanwhile, are imposing themselves and trying to dominate possession. Dalot is starting to defend well down the right, shutting out a Danny Welbeck run. And we reach the 20th minute with a poor clearance by David De Gea.
😱 Look who decided to show up
💬 UnitedPeoplesTV via Twitter: "United slow, bit nervous really, playing it out from the back but carved a chance easily there through patient play. Fernandes' finish really poor but a golden chance made. More of it."
💬 markgoldbridge via Twitter: "Fred as a 6 is not a good look. He's much better box to box and doesn't have the passing or touch."
💬 samuelluckhurst via Twitter: "Martinez has started very well, as has Maguire. Dalot moving into midfield sometimes when United have the ball. McTominay's advanced role bringing some balance to a more adventurous midfield with Fred deep."
🕐 1' - 10' Not the best start from United this. Brighton had an early chance after Diogo Dalot lost the ball but no goal, thankfully. Bruno Fernandes had a great opportunity to score but he shot the ball over the bar. Ten Hag looks pissed off on the touchline and we don't blame him.
🕐 0' Things are underway at Old Trafford!
🏁 AAAND WE KICK-OFF!
🗣️ A word from the boss
Ten Hag: "[Cristiano] Ronaldo is working really hard to get in the right fitness levels, it will take time. He started pre-season last week. It depends on how quick he is progressing.
"We should act as a team, I want to see a team performance. Every game, that is the most important. Football is a team sport."
📸 Spotted: Sir Alex in the house!
👉 How our opponents are taking the field
👀 A look at our confirmed XI for this game
🤩 Manchester United face Brighton in our opening fixture at Old Trafford, marking Erik ten Hag's first official game in charge.
🤗 Hello Reds! Tribuna.com's heartiest welcome to every single one of you as we embark on a new Premier League season.
