Old Trafford Faithfuls Turn against Ten Hag as United Fall to Brighton

These are not the best time for Manchester United Manager Erik ten Hag whose wards suffered a 3-1 home defeat against Brighton at Old Trafford.

Expectedly, the home fans turned on their manager to express their displeasure.

Ten Hag has enjoyed the overwhelming backing of United fans since his arrival last summer and the majority have supported the Dutchman in his current dispute with winger Jadon Sancho.

But they let him know they did not agree with his decision to replace new signing Rasmus Hojlund with Anthony Martial 19 minutes into the second period in no uncertain manner, as a cacophony of boos rang round the stadium before the Dane was applauded off.

The change didn’t make much difference for United, who were behind thanks to a first-half goal from one-time home favourite Danny Welbeck, which was followed up after the interval by efforts from Pascal Gross and substitute Joao Pedro, who were both given far too much space around the United penalty box.

Hannibal Mejbri’s first United goal gave the hosts some hope, but in a frenetic finish it was the visitors who came closest to finding the net again as Andre Onana made four excellent saves, the best of which came in injury-time to deny on-loan Barcelona man Ansu Fati a debut goal.

It was United’s first home defeat in 13 months, when Brighton again triumphed here.

The Seagulls are now on a run of four successive Premier League wins over their hosts, and this victory brought more boos at the final whistle, though not on anywhere near the same scale as when Hojlund was withdrawn.

RESULTS

Premier League

Wolves 1-3 Liverpool

Aston Villa 3-1 Cry’Palace

Fulham 1-0 Luton

Man Utd 1-3 Brighton

West Ham 1-3 Man City

Newcastle 1-0 Brentford

LaLiga

Valencia 3-0 Atletico

Celia Vigo 0-1 Mallorca

Barcelona 5-0 Betis