dailystar.co.uk
07.08.2022 / 18:21
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Four things Erik ten Hag got wrong as Man Utd are beaten by Brighton
Erik ten Hag era is off to the worst possible start after Manchester United lost 2-1 to Brighton at Old Trafford.A Pascal Groß double in the first half set the tone with United carrying their poor form from the season prior over into the new campaign.An Alexis Mac Allister own goal in the second half pulled one back for the Red Devils, but they couldn't find an equaliser, despite dominating the ball for the final 45 minutes.Here, Daily Star Sport has taken a look at four things Ten Hag got wrong...READ MORE: Man Utd break tradition on night before Old Trafford matches for new Erik ten Hag ruleHindsight is a wonderful thing, but leaving Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench really cost United this afternoon.Given his recent behaviour, the sulky 37-year-old didn't deserve to start, but Ten Hag's side were calling out for a little final-third decisiveness from the get-go - something Ronaldo would've provided in abundance, for better or worse.Whether he has a future at United remains to be seen, but until Marcus Rashford or Anthony Martial are ready to fill his shoes (which they aren't), Ten Hag might as well squeeze a few goals out of him.He came on seven minutes into the second half, but with Brighton more or less shutting up shop, genuine chances were few and far between.What did you make of United's performance? Let us know in the comments section below.United were all over the place at the back and were crying out for an experienced head to calm the nerves after Brighton's first goal went in.Ten Hag went with Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez in central defence, though given the former's torrid recent form, and the latter's inexperience, it was the wrong choice.Raphael Varane's United career hasn't gone completely to plan,
