In the midst of a Christian soap opera, determined to leave Manchester United, the season could not have started worse for the Red Devils. On his Premier debut against Brighton at Old Trafford, United lost 1-2. Cristiano wasn't in the starting eleven and when he came out in the second half his team couldn't come back.
The Ten Hag project cannot start worse. The defeat and Cristiano's poor physical condition will fuel even more rumors about the possible departure of the Portuguese star.
The game had two sides, one for each team. In the first, Graham Potter's men were far superior and managed to take a 0-2 lead with Trossard doing damage down the left, Welbeck moving all over the front of the attack and Pascal Gross lethal at the top, author of the brace.
The first goal came in the 29th minute, a filtered ball from Trossard to Welbeck, who ended up putting the death pass to a Gross who scored at will. The goal silenced Old Trafford. In the 38th the second fell, again the work of the German striker, who caught a rebound after a great save by De Gea from a shot by March.
The second half began with a chance for Welbeck and Cristiano warming up on the wing. At 53 minutes the Portuguese entered for Fred, which made Eriksen delay his position.
With the entry of Cristiano, United turned on the goal of Robert Sánchez, who saved several shots on goal by Rashfod and Bruno. The 1-2 finally came in the 68th minute, the work of Mc Allister in his own goal in a play in which the Spanish goalkeeper called for a foul.
The last 20 minutes were dominated by United, but without clear ideas or chances. Brighton knew how to cool down the game and left United without arguments. Bad start for the Ten Hag team. Those of Old Trafford continue without raising head.
1 - Manchester United: De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Lysandro Martinez, Luke Shaw (Malaysia, m. 89); McTominay (Van de Beek, m. 77), Fred (Cristiano Ronaldo, m. 52); Jadon Sancho (Grenach, m. 89), Bruno Fernandes (Elanga, m. 89), Rashford; Eriksen.
2 - Brighton: Robert Sánchez; Veltman, Dunk, Webster; March (Colwill, m. 91), Mac Allister, Moisés Caicedo, Trossard (Mwepu, m. 75); Gross, Lallana (Lamptey, m. 75); Welbeck (Undav, m. 94).
Goals: 0-1, m. 29: Gross. 0-2, m. 39: Gross. 1-2, m. 67: Mac Allister, own goal.
Referee: Paul Tierney. He admonished the locals Lisandro Martínez (m. 46) and Maguire (m. 52) and the visitor Trossard (m. 52).
Incidents: match corresponding to the first day of the 'Premier League', played at Old Trafford before some 80,000 spectators.
